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Planning and building

Areas of Archaeological Importance

York is one of 5 cities that has been designated as an 'Area of Archaeological Importance' (AAI) under Part 2 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

Map of Archaeological Areas of Importance


View larger map

The map shows the 7 areas of archaeological importance in York:

  • City centre area
  • Acomb
  • Dringhouses
  • Middlethorpe
  • The Retreat
  • Heworth
  • Glen Road

Zoom in (+) or zoom out; (-) or move/drag the map to reveal information; you can also:

  • search by street name or postcode
  • click a 'feature' to get further information
  • click >> or << to reveal or hide the map legend

Work in an Area of Archaeological Importance

You must complete and return an operations notice (free of charge) to the City Archaeologist ;and the York Archaeological Trust (YAT) before any work can start in an AAI, including:

  • disturbance of ground (including work by Utilities)
  • tipping on the ground
  • flooding of the ground

York Archaeological Trust will decide whether:

  • they have any interest in your intended work
  • archaeological intervention is required

The scale of any potential archaeological work will depend on the level and nature of the intended works.

See our guidance document for further information on working in York outside of the planning system.

Areas of Archaeological Importance and the law

It's an offence to carry out work in an AAI without an operations notice.

It's also an offence to use a metal detector within an AAI.

Also see

Archaeology

City of York Council, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA