Knowledge base

Metal Detecting on Council land

We do not allow individual metal detecting or detectorists on Council land and draw no distinction between finding a target and digging a target – both are prohibited.  In general there is no right to roam across Council land some of which is leased for agricultural use to third parties and people should stick to defined footpaths and bridleways unless in a formal public park. 

There are several reason for not providing individual permissions including known and unknown sites of archaeological and ecological interest that we have a duty to safeguard, some sites may be on reclaimed land that should not be disturbed.

We will consider providing permission to educational institutions, Friends of parks and green spaces and other constituted groups on defined and properly supervised archaeological projects.