HS2: Take historic and archaeological features out of cultivation

How much will be paid

£613 per hectare (ha)

Where to use this option

It’s available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier on whole or part parcels. In Mid Tier you can use this option only:

• on Scheduled Monuments on arable land or temporary grassland
• with the written approval of Historic England as confirmed on your Historic Environment FER (HEFER) consultation response

In Higher Tier you can use this option:

• on Scheduled Monuments where approved by Historic England and on historic or archaeological features identified in your HEFER

Related Mid Tier options

You can locate these options and supplements on the same area as this option.

• OR1 - Organic conversion - improved permanent grassland
• OT1 - Organic land management - improved permanent grassland

How this option will benefit the environment

It protects historic and archaeological features from damaging cultivation practices. Depending on land use and location it may also:

• reduce diffuse pollution
• reduce soil erosion

Protecting historic and archaeological features will conserve the character of the farm and protect England’s heritage for future generations. This option may also maintain and conserve landscape character.

Aims

If you’re selected for a site visit, we will check that delivery of the aims is being met and the prohibited activities have not been carried out. This will ensure the environmental benefits are being delivered.

Throughout the year there will be a continuous grass and/or flower mixture growing over the historic and archaeological feature.

Prohibited activities

To achieve the aims and deliver the environmental benefits, do not carry out any of the following activities.

• Plough on earthwork sites when establishing grass or flower mixtures
• Harrow or roll
• Supplementary feed within 6m of the option area
• Allow scrub or bracken growth on the option area
• Carry out drainage works, including modifying existing drainage, without written permission before work starts
• Locate vehicle or stock access routes within 6 metres (m) of the feature (existing surfaced tracks can be used)

On your annual claim you will be asked to declare that you have not carried out any prohibited activities.

Recommended management

To assist you in achieving the aims and deliver the environmental benefits for this option we recommend that you use best practice.

We recommend that you:

• use shallow cultivation on arable land to establish a grass or flower mixture
• re-seed temporary grassland by slot seeding, making sure not to damage the existing sward
• maintain a continuous grass sward over the feature

Keeping records

Where there is uncertainty about whether the aims of the options have been delivered, we will take into account any records or evidence you may have kept demonstrating delivery of the aims of the option. This will include any steps you’ve taken to follow the recommended management set out above. It’s your responsibility to keep such records if you want to rely on these to support your claim.

• Map of existing tracks - you can mark these on any map, including your Farm Environment Record (FER)
• Field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices
• Written approval for the option from Historic England

Additional guidance and advice

The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.

• None

Further information

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier and Higher Tier including how to apply. *[HEFER]: Historic Environment Farm Environment Record