The Chester and Boughton Area of Archaeological Importance (AAI) is one of only five AAIs designated in England. The relevant information on the implications of the designation is contained in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1979/46).
Under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 it is a criminal offence to undertake any operations within a designated Area of Archaeological Importance which may disturb the ground of, flood, or tip upon any site (see part II section 35), without giving the local authority (Cheshire West and Chester Council) six weeks notice of the commencement of those operations (see part II section 36). There are a number of operations which can be undertaken within the AAI which are exempted from section 35 of the 1979 Act. These are listed in The Areas of Archaeological Importance (Notification of Operations) (Exemption) Order 1984 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1984/1286/made).