BN4

Restore the bank to reflect the style and profile of other banks in a good condition locally
Rebuild the bank using the original soil that has slipped from it
Build up moist soil in consolidated layers, allowing it to settle at each stage to make sure it’s stable
Use subsoil and small stones for the lower layers and topsoil with no stones for the upper layers
Build each face of the bank so there’s a slight slope (‘batter’) with a base approximately 0.5m wider than the top
Take the turf up to the full height of the new bank if local banks are faced with turf
Finish off the top with loose soil or turf (unless a hedge is being planted)
Make sure the top line of the bank is parallel to the ground
Finish the ends of the bank at gateways with turfing or stone facing and protect it from being damaged by livestock and machinery
Restore any stiles and gates to their original construction
Remove any surplus earth-fill and stones from the site when you have finished and restore any ground you have disturbed

BN4: Earth bank restoration - GOV.UK

How much you’ll be paid

£10.54 per metre (m). The payment rate is for the total length of boundary being restored, not for each side of the boundary.

Restoring an earth bank provides a valuable habitat for wildlife and conserves a traditional landscape.

This item can help you protect, recover and improve biodiversity on your land.

You can use this item:

where you have management control of each side of the boundary
on a length of earth bank that need rebuilding to restore to its original height

You cannot use this item:

if you have received funding in the last 7 years to maintain the earth bank
with Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) management action BND2: Maintain earth banks or stone-faced hedgebanks

You must:

restore the bank to reflect the style and profile of other banks in a good condition locally
rebuild the bank using the original soil that has slipped from it
build up moist soil in consolidated layers, allowing it to settle at each stage to make sure it’s stable
use subsoil and small stones for the lower layers and topsoil with no stones for the upper layers
build each face of the bank so there’s a slight slope (‘batter’) with a base approximately 0.5m wider than the top
take the turf up to the full height of the new bank if local banks are faced with turf
finish off the top with loose soil or turf (unless a hedge is being planted)
make sure the top line of the bank is parallel to the ground
finish the ends of the bank at gateways with turfing or stone facing and protect it from being damaged by livestock and machinery
restore any stiles and gates to their original construction
remove any surplus earth-fill and stones from the site when you have finished and restore any ground you have disturbed