look out ...... PERMITS FOR DETECTRISTS

[Kev]

This should be an interesting post im putting on here for sure


Taken from Stackyard.com


Permits for Metal Detecting on Farm Land?
2009-11-26

Rural specialists George F. White are calling for a debate on whether an entry fee or permit could be a way of managing the metal detecting phenomenon.

Nigel Foster

 

As has been highlighted in the news this week, metal detecting is more popular than ever. And with treasure hunter Terry Gilbert reputed to be in line for a seven figure sum for a hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold he found earlier this year, the trend looks set to continue. While landowners stand to take 50% of any treasure found, they also have the potential challenge of large numbers of people digging up their property.

Metal detecting has been rising in popularity since the 1970’s and testament to ever improving technology, 98% of metal objects are currently found in this way. Under the 1996 Treasure Act, any objects found are valued by the Treasure Valuation Committee with payments divided equally between the land owner and the finder. Even if an object is not declared a ‘treasure’, this tends to be the accepted norm.

This obviously gives impetus to farmers, landowners and treasure hunters to make an agreement before any detecting takes place. In addition, as a valuation may be less if the finder hasn’t sought permission from the landowner; a permit ensures this has been done. Indeed, some land already requires a permit for example all treasure hunting on our foreshores requires a free permit from the Crown Estates however introducing fee paying permits on private land is a new idea.

Nigel Foster of George F. White comments, “Recent press reports on spectacular finds are likely to inspire a new generation of treasure hunters. Many land owners, stand to benefit not just financially if treasure is found but also because they may find out more about the history of the land itself. However they need to balance this with the fact that there may be increasing numbers of people on the land which can be difficult to manage during key times like harvest. Looking at charging a fee for a permit is potentially a way for landowners to be able to know who is on their fields as well as adding a small stream of extra income. By advertising these permits treasure hunters will know they are welcome and they will get the optimum valuation on finds as they have full permission to be on the land.”

For people who have been inspired to give metal detecting a go, one of the best sources of information is The National Council for Metal Detecting website www.ncmd.co.uk. As Nigel advises,”For anyone who is interested in finding out more about treasure hunting and what it entails whether they are a farmer or a metal detector I would direct them to this site. It contains details on the history of metal detecting, how to find a good site and the current law on claims as well as a Code of Practice and free liability insurance for their members.”

Anyone interested in discussing the idea of diversification into this area can contact Nigel Foster at the Bedale office of George F. White on Tel. 01677 425301.


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[TheLoveDoc]

i quote     " some land already requires a permit for example all treasure hunting on our foreshores requires a free permit from the Crown Estates "


But what if im  looking for fishing weights instead of treasure  ?           having said that i spose i may as well get one if its free lol...

[Jonola (Jon)]

Its been touted for a while. Thin end of the wedge if it happens.

[150aceboy]

As soon as the media show a recent hoard been found, it was only a matter of time before these people decide, there's an earner there  
Their on about doing a similar thing with sea fishing 
What are they going to sting us on next  

[coleggwent(phil)]

he wants to get a life  like i said before all to do with do gooders  wheres it going to end  a ban maybe

[handyman [Alan}]

i think there may be benefits to his idea. if permits were issued to recognised detector groups ONLY, then it would mean that lone detectorists would have to join such groups and in return the groups could then monitor what is being found and recorded.

this would enhance the standing of groups with the farming community and could lead to more land becoming available once the reputation and standards is set.

it would also isolate even further the nighthawks and hopefully in return for the permit idea, legislation would be toughened to tackle such irresponsible detectorists.

i'm all for encouraging the hobby, but too many people are joining it, thinking they are going to get rich, rather than for the reasons of recording our nations heritage and history.

[altinkum]

how long will it be before they start charging you for these permits. another stealth tax

[handyman [Alan}]

sounds like a good idea. why shouldn't a charge be levied. it was in the past!!!

in fact why not go further and insist that an extra charge of 25% should be levied on all artefacts sold on auction sites!!!!  [can't see it happening - but it may help stop the raping of the nations heritage for personal gain!]

[Stig(The)]

I for one would take homage at being told i had to join a "Group" to persue my hobby & as for those joining recently because of the Hoard publicity,thinking it`s a "get rich quick" scheme,will soon lose interest after a few "Digs"
The "Hype" will soon die & we,the die-hards will still be here !  


The challenge of history is to recover the past and introduce it to the present.

[mole]

I,m with Stig  on this one !! I still class myself as an independent detectorist in the sense Imainly go detecting alone no one should be made to join a club etc against their will BUT I recommend everyone joins the F.I.D  or N.C.M.D  the last we need now is bloody permits if we let this happen we,ll be going down the same old road to further legislation again and we definately don,nt want that

[Tinman (paul/Lisa)]

if you got nighthawkers plundering now, you dont honestly think that they are going to buy a permit do you?. Im all for joining a club as it benefits the dectorist plus the hobby in general but if people want to be independent (I am by the way). then they should. Seems to me another way to make money off joe public.

[Stig(The)]

Nice one Dai,Paul/lisa,i also agree whole-heartedly with what you`ve added as i also enjoy the peace & quiet of "lone" detecting from time to time.
Don`t get me wrong,i enjoy the group (Rally) experience but to me there is nowt better than getting out there on your own,doing ya thing when ,where & how you please !  

[simon c]

Why should any independent detectorist have to join a club,thats a bit elitist Allan,and your not seriously thinking a permit will stop nighthawkers who at present detect without permission from the land owners in order to steal from them,do you really think a nighthawker is going to pay to detect ?,and what about those of us who don't live near any of the clubs.

[beachboy (viv)]

i am with stig,dai,and paul/lisa,no permit will stop nighthawkers,i think some of these people are just trying to bring us to book,have our names to hand,lets not forget the honesty that been shown and the contribution that  have reported to museums and archaeologist so they know where to go.(viv)

[TheLoveDoc]

Just been thinking to myself..... ok so if a permit was required to detect on land who is actually going to pay to police the land ? The government ? maybe the enviroment agency ? The police i doubt very much and for good reasons too, The farmer ? Thinking about it now its not practical to enforce permits ....where do you buy a permit ? The post office ? The farmer ? Even that would cost money to set up, as in papers etc .... at the end of the day.... AS LONG AS YOU HAVE PERMISSION THEN WHY A PERMIT ?  If it was cost effective to bring in rod licenses for sea angling they would have done it years ago....... but how do you police so many miles of coastline ?