Metal detectors

Wiltshire Council policy on metal detecting

Wiltshire Council does not allow metal detecting by the public on land it owns for the following reasons:

• Much of the countryside owned by Wiltshire Council is let to third parties, usually for agriculture
• Were metal detecting/digging by permit allowed in public open spaces it may encourage non-permit holders to detect or dig
• The council could be left with diggings and unfilled hollows making it unsafe for livestock, farm machinery and, if on public open space, the public
• There could be damage to sites and features of interest, including archaeology, vegetation and wildlife habitats.