G2: Condition of heritage features including designated geological sites and scheduled monuments
Short Description
This indicator consists of 2 measures that describe (a) the condition of geological and geomorphological (landforms and the processes which create them) heritage features of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and (b) the condition of Scheduled Monuments. Heritage features enable us to understand how our landscapes have been formed and are an important aspect of landscape character that significantly contribute to our enjoyment and appreciation of the natural beauty. We have a particular responsibility to conserve heritage features of designated sites. The indicator uses information from SSSI condition assessments and information which supports the production of Historic England’s annual Heritage at Risk Register.
All geological (including geomorphological) features designated as SSSIs have first been subject to rigorous and systematic scientific assessment leading to their selection as nationally important Geological Conservation Review (GCR) sites. As of December 2023, there were 1,221 SSSIs in England designated wholly, or in part, for their geology, encompassing 1,797 features identified through the GCR. Many SSSIs contain more than one geological heritage feature.
Monuments designated as Scheduled Monuments have been recognised by the Secretary of State as being nationally important. For a monument to be considered of national importance its surviving features, above and/or below the surface of the land or seabed, must have a particular significance that relates to its historic, traditional, architectural, artistic and/or archaeological interest. As of August 2023, there were 19,955 Scheduled Monuments in England.
Readiness and links to data
Data are available on SSSI condition assessments (as a searchable database), and as a data download of SSSI Monitored features. A programme of work was initiated in 2020, aimed at assessing the condition of previously unassessed geological features and reassessing the condition of features which have not been assessed for more than 6 years.
Data on Scheduled Monuments at risk are also available. These data have been collated over an extended time period as it is not currently possible to update them in full on a regular basis.
Notes on indicator
The observed increase in the percentage of geological and geomorphological heritage features in favourable condition from 2019 to 2021 and the absence of any major changes to the percentage of features in the unfavourable assessment categories over the same period is largely due to the timing of data inputted since 2019. Most new assessments in favourable condition were included in the 2021 results, whereas most unfavourable assessments were still being finalised at that time. These unfavourable assessments have now been included in the 2023 data, removing the skew towards favourable condition which existed in the 2021 data.
There has been an increase in the number of geological and geomorphological features reported on between 2019 and 2023 due to a change in methodology in processing the data which has identified and now included some features and SSSIs erroneously left out of previous reports. These are not newly designated features and SSSIs, but long-established features and sites missed out of previous reports.
Data on the condition of Scheduled Monuments in this indicator are based on archaeology assessments only. As of August 2023, 884 Scheduled Monuments have additional condition assessments based on their built or structural remains; these have been omitted from this indicator.
Indicator components
Figure G2a: Condition of geological and geomorphological heritage features of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in England, 2019 to 2023
Table G2a: Condition of geological and geomorphological heritage features of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in England, 2019 to 2023
| Year | Destroyed | Favourable | Partially destroyed | Unassessed | Unfavourable - Declining | Unfavourable - No change | Unfavourable - Recovering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0.60 | 60.07 | 0.48 | 20.74 | 4.78 | 5.62 | 7.71 |
| 2021 | 0.60 | 71.59 | 0.54 | 9.11 | 5.48 | 5.60 | 7.09 |
| 2023 | 0.72 | 72.18 | 0.50 | 3.06 | 13.08 | 4.73 | 5.73 |
Trend description for G2a
In total, 72% of all designated geological features have been assessed as being in favourable condition as of December 2023 (a 12 percentage-point increase in the equivalent figure for 2019, but the same as that reported in 2021) and a further 6% have been assessed as being in an unfavourable but recovering condition. The proportion of features in unfavourable declining condition has increased to 13% in 2023. Approximately 1% have been destroyed or partially destroyed.
Assessment of change
No assessment of change was undertaken for this indicator as a suitable time series is not yet available in the Outcome Indicator Framework.
Figure G2b: Condition of Scheduled Monuments in England (based on entries with archaeological assessments), 2019 to 2023
Table G2b: Condition of Scheduled Monuments in England (based on entries with archaeological assessments), 2019 to 2023
| Year | Extensive significant problems | Generally satisfactory but with minor localised problems | Generally satisfactory but with significant localised problems | Generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems | Not recorded | Optimal/generally satisfactory | Unknown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5.04 | 35.39 | 23.63 | 7.64 | 0.81 | 25.91 | 1.57 |
| 2021 | 4.84 | 35.51 | 23.68 | 7.54 | 1.02 | 25.83 | 1.58 |
| 2023 | 4.64 | 35.72 | 23.70 | 7.52 | 1.03 | 25.86 | 1.53 |
Trend description for G2b
In total, 85.3% of all Scheduled Monuments with archaeological assessments were considered as being in optimal or generally satisfactory condition in 2023, whereas 12.2% were considered as either being in a generally unsatisfactory condition or having extensive significant problems. This represents a slight positive change from data first published in 2020.
Assessment of change
No assessment of change was undertaken for this indicator as a suitable time series is not yet available in the Outcome Indicator Framework.