PPS 6 Planning Archaeology and the Built Heritage·Page 17·3.8
Protection of Unscheduled Archaeological Remains of Merit
Development proposals affecting archaeological sites that would merit scheduling will be assessed using the same criteria as scheduled monuments, with development only permitted in exceptional circumstances.
Not all important archaeological remains meriting preservation are yet scheduled. The programme of scheduling is on-going and every effort is made to include a balanced sample of site types throughout Northern Ireland based on the criteria set out in Annex B. Accordingly in assessing development proposals affecting sites which would merit scheduling the Department will proceed as for State Care and scheduled monuments and only permit development in exceptional circumstances.
Source — /Users/richardhill/Documents/planning-arch-project/data/documents/regional/PPS 6 - Planning Archaeology and the Built Heritage.pdf