A PROPOSED new law will make it easier to prosecute people who damage historic buildings and landmarks in Wales, then claim they were ignorant of their status.

It is also set to give the Welsh Government and councils more powers to take speedy action to protect threatened monuments.

The Historic Environment (Wales) Bill, launched at Caerphilly Castle, is the first legislation intended to protect and secure Wales’ heritage for the enjoyment of future generations.

Ancient monuments, historic buildings, and Wales' spectacular landscapes account for a fifth of spending by tourists.

But the Welsh Government is warning that such assets can easily be threatened, with some nationally important listed buildings suffering neglect and decay, and monuments suffering more deliberate damage, including parts of Offa’s Dyke and hill forts.

Between 2006-12 there were 119 recorded cases of damage to scheduled monuments, but just one successful prosecution. The new Bill aims to:

* Make it more difficult for individuals to escape prosecution for criminal damage by claiming ignorance of a monument’s status or location;

* Create powers for ministers to take immediate action if a scheduled monument is threatened, and oblige owners who have damaged monuments to carry out repairs;

* Allow councils to act to halt decay, and provide them with new ways of recovering the costs of urgent work.

It will also create an independent panel to provide ministers with expert advice, and require councils to set up and maintain Historic Environment Records to help inform planning or re-development decisions in their areas.

Long term management plans called Heritage Partnership Agreements will be created too, intended to make it easier for owners to manage their listed buildings and scheduled monuments.

"Without the right protection and management, our precious buildings and monuments could be lost forever," said deputy minister for culture, sport and tourism Ken Skates, who marked the Bill's launch by viewing projects involving apprentices that are designed to protect and improve the fabric of Caerphilly Castle.

“Through this Bill, we will improve the management of our historic environment, making it clear, effective and flexible, enabling us to protect our past for the Wales of tomorrow.”