NEW Welsh laws to protect monuments and historic buildings will be discussed in spring.

Ken Skates, deputy culture minister, wants to pass legislation to better protect and care for the country's historic environment.

The Heritage Bill is designed to give more effective protection to scheduled monuments, including powers for the Welsh Government to halt harmful works and take action if a monument has been damaged or destroyed.

Mr Skates said: “If the historic environment is to continue to deliver its many benefits to Wales, it must be safeguarded for the long term. This Bill, the first of its kind specifically for Wales, will enable everyone who plays a role in caring for our heritage — from the Welsh Government, to local planning authorities, to the thousands of people who own, work or live in historic places — to look after those things that make Wales special.”