GS7: Restoration towards species-rich grassland
How much will be paid
£646 per hectare (ha).
How long the option lasts
This option lasts for 10 years, instead of the standard 5 years for the grant scheme.
Where to use this option
It is available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier on whole or part-parcels, only on parcels of grassland that have high or medium potential for being restored to grassland priority habitat.
Features that can be included in this option
You can include the following features in this option if they are part of the land, even if they are not eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS):
- ditches, dykes, drains, rivers or streams that are less than 4m wide for the majority of their length in the parcel
- temporary water
- permanent water less than or equal to 0.1ha, at the discretion of Natural England)
- natural unsurfaced roads, tracks, paths and bridleways (as long as you are still able to carry out the requirements of the option)
- bracken
- scree, rock outcrops and boulders up to 0.1ha
- grazed woodland and scrub that has grass underneath it and that livestock can access, at the discretion of Natural England
- small areas of other habitat types, such as reedbeds, at the discretion of Natural England
How this option will benefit the environment
It will restore grasslands that have the potential to become priority grasslands. It will increase the number and frequency of important plant species. Many other priority species, such as bumblebees, butterflies, birds or bats, will also benefit. Buried archaeological features will not be disturbed.
Requirements
You will probably need to:
- increase the presence and abundance of high value plant species, for example by deliberately introducing new species
- maintain a range of plant heights suitable for invertebrates, birds or other priority species
- manage the grassland by grazing, hay cutting, or a mixture of both
- maintain a continuous cover, particularly over historic features
- use very little or no manure, fertiliser, pesticide or supplementary feed
- maintain scrub, rushes and other potentially dominating plants at the levels set out in the agreement
- control undesirable plants (these can be specified in the agreement)
You will need to agree a detailed timetable setting out how you will restore the grassland and the timetable to achieve it. This should include details of how you will introduce seeds or plants, identify the source of the material and the varieties and quantities you will use. It should also set out how you will manage the grassland after you have introduced the plants or seeds.
The agreement will set out what you cannot do. It’s likely you’ll not be allowed to:
- plough, cultivate or re-seed, unless agreed with Natural England
- harrow, roll or allow scrub or bracken to encroach on historic or archaeological features
- carry out activities that may disturb breeding birds or damage nests
Keeping records
On your annual claim you must declare that you have not carried out any activities prohibited by the option requirements.
You must keep the following records and supply them on request:
- receipted invoices, consents or permissions connected with the work
- field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices
- a standard soil analysis carried out in the last 5 years. The rules for farmers and land managers to prevent water pollution already require farmers and land managers to carry out soil testing on cultivated agricultural land - you can use these test results to meet the record-keeping requirements for this option
- inputs used
- any sites grazed will require a grazing activity record
- photographs showing the extent of scrub or bracken on any historic or archaeological features
- photographs showing any areas where sward enhancement will be carried out
- photographs of the management undertaken
The detailed requirements for this option will be tailored to the Higher Tier site. You should discuss and agree these requirements with your adviser.
Related options
You can locate the following options and supplements on the same area as this option:
Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this option
The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.
How to choose a site
This option works best on infertile soils where the soil phosphorus index (as shown by soil analysis) is low and where the sward is not dominated by aggressive plant species or injurious weeds. It is best used where it will extend an existing area of priority habitat.
How to manage the site
The management for this option will be tailored to the site, but in most cases you will need the following:
- appropriate livestock (which will often be cattle), over which you have full control
- machinery to allow management requirements such as hay cutting to be carried out
- consideration of how best to manage associated features such as ditches and scrub
- capital works to support this option (for example, to increase the number of plant species, use option FM2 - Major preparatory works for priority habitats (creation and restoration) and priority species
- change of hay cutting and grazing patterns, at least in the short term
Upland calcareous and other very extensively managed grassland, especially in large parcels, may not be accepted for this option. Such grassland may be eligible for other options, such as GS13 - Management of grassland for target features.
Once the grassland is restored to priority habitat, it may be eligible for option GS6 - Management of species-rich grassland.
Additional guidance and advice
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
This option can form part of an IPM approach to prevent the establishment of pests, weeds and diseases. If successful, appropriate and within proximity of cropped areas, these may limit the need for the use of Plant Protection Products and enhance wildlife and biodiversity on your holding. Read information on IPM at AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) Integrated Pest Management and LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming).
Biodiversity
This option has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.
The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.
Further information
Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Higher Tier including how to apply.