BN8: Hedgerow supplement - casting up

This item is part of Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Capital Grants 2025 guidance to understand the rules and how to apply.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the CSHT applicant’s guide to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

£4.39 per metre (m). The payment rate is for the total length of boundary under the supplement, not for each side of the boundary.

How this supplement benefits the environment

Restoring a hedgerow by re-profiling and replacing slipped soil (casting-up) will help control livestock and create habitat for wildlife.

Where you can use this supplement

You can use this item only on hedgerows where you have management control of both sides of a boundary which are both being:

• restored using BN5: Hedgerow laying or BN6: Hedgerow coppicing
• cast-up by machine

You cannot use this item with Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) management action BND2: Maintain earth banks or stone-faced hedgebanks.

What you must do to use this supplement

You must:

• cast-up the bank to reflect the local style and build it back to its original profile (you must establish it in reference to other banks in good condition nearby)
• rebuild the bank using the original soil that has slipped from it
• build each face of the bank so it slopes inwards (approximately 0.3m for every 1m in height) to create a ‘batter’ (slope)
• make the base of the bank wider than the top by roughly 45 centimetres (cm) to 60cm on each side
• ensure the top line of the bank is level with the ground
• make sure that no healthy mature trees are disturbed
• restore any stiles and gates to their original construction
• remove any surplus earth-fill and stones from the site after completion of the work and restore the ground around it

You must not:

• cast up between 1 March and 31 August
• remove soil from other banks (even if they are derelict)
• bury newly laid or coppiced material in deep earth
• damage the roots of trees growing on the bank with machinery

Evidence you must keep

You must keep photographs of the completed work and provide with your claim.

You must also keep and provide on request:

• any consents or permissions connected with the work
• receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
• photographs of each length of hedge entered the supplement

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide.

Other supplements and actions you can use with this supplement

You can use this supplement with these supplements:

BN9: Hedgerow supplement - substantial pre-work

BN10: Hedgerow supplement - top binding and staking

SFI actions

You can use this item with these actions:

CHRW1: Assess and record hedgerow condition

CHRW2: Manage hedgerows

CHRW3: Maintain or establish hedgerow trees [CSHT]: Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier [m]: metres [SFI]: Sustainable Farming Incentive [cm]: centimetres