Thats the crux isn't it. In the cost analysis, a barrow isn't worth the cost of the minerals underneath & round it to the tax payer. We've seen it time and again when barrows get in the way of "big" ie costly development, preservation by record is deemed acceptable. The opportunity cost being an archaeologists salary? It would be nice to have openness in it though, a frank admittance that EH are sacrificing some heritage to fund their other activities saving other heritage.