HS8: Maintenance of weatherproof traditional farm buildings in remote areas

How much will be paid

£8.00 per square metre

Where to use this option

Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier.

Only for traditional farm or forestry buildings or parts of buildings that:

• are at least 400 metres (m) from the main farmstead
• are at least 200m from a metalled public road (a hard surface like asphalt, concrete, paving stones, bricks and cobbles) by the shortest practicable route
• are still in agricultural or forestry use on a land holding, whether or not this was the original use
• are sound and weatherproof
• are recorded on the Farm Environment Record (FER) or Woodland Management Plan
• were built using traditional methods and using timber, brick, stone, tile or slate
• were built before 1940 for agricultural or forestry use, such as housing machinery or animals, or storing or processing crops, food or forest products

You must own or control the building or the part of the building entered into the option for the life of the agreement.

Where this option cannot be used

This option cannot be used if the building:

• is a metal-framed Dutch barn
• was constructed as a dwelling
• is a farmhouse, residential or domestic building

How this option will benefit the environment

It will help to maintain traditional farm or forestry buildings, using traditional methods and materials. This will also enhance the local landscape and preserve places for wildlife.

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.

There will be:

• traditional farm buildings, fixtures and fittings in a sound condition and weatherproof with any existing areas of non-traditional material maintained
• buildings maintained on a ‘like for like’ basis using traditional materials and methods
• preserved and accessible features as identified in the wildlife assessment (see building wildlife assessment form)
• new bat, owl or kestrel boxes installed in the first year, where the wildlife assessment form has identified a need
• a building maintenance plan, completed in the first year, and log of work updated annually (see building maintenance plan and log form)

Prohibited Activities

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

• Sell or convert the building for non-agricultural or forestry use during the life of the agreement
• If bat activity has been identified, do not undertake any works on the building without advice from a licensed ecological consultant (a licence may be required)

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:

Year 1

• complete a building maintenance plan
• install bat or barn owl boxes with open access points, if recommended in the initial wildlife assessment

Every year

• carry out visual inspections at least once a year and keep records of the results in the building maintenance plan and wildlife assessment
• carry out maintenance work and repairs on a ‘like for like’ basis
• record the maintenance work that has been carried out in the buildings maintenance plan log
• keep the building weatherproof, including fixtures, fittings and features such as mounting blocks, stook or stack bases
• use traditional material and methods for any maintenance work, keeping the character of the building within its local setting
• maintain areas where a non-traditional material has previously been used to repair or re-clad the building, such as corrugated iron sheeting to cover roofs
• maintain existing features identified as possible roosting areas for bats, such as non-structural crevices and cavities, taking care not to disturb any bats
• get advice from a licensed ecological consultant if bat activity has been identified - this will apply at any time in the agreement
• follow any advice from a licensed ecological consultant about when work can be undertaken on the building’s fabric and get any bat licences that are needed

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.

• Photographs showing the condition of the building before the start of the agreement
• A copy of the building maintenance plan (see building maintenance plan and log form) - to be updated with inspection results and completed works throughout the life of the agreement
• Any receipted invoices (or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable), consents or permissions connected with the work
• A wildlife assessment (see building wildlife assessment form) of the building’s suitability for barn owls, kestrels and bats - to be updated with the results of annual inspections
• A map identifying the traditional farm or forestry building and the distance to main steading and metalled public access - this can be marked on any map including the Farm Environment Record (FER) or Woodland Management Plan

Additional guidance and advice

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

How to calculate the option area

The eligible area for this option is the area of the ground floor of the building. Do not include any other space from extra floors, or any parts of the yard, in the calculation.

Maintenance work

Carry out routine maintenance work to protect the fabric of the building and to keep it weatherproof. This does not include work to fix significant defects or decay, or work to bring a building in poor repair back to a good condition.

Regular inspections

Inspect the site regularly to identify areas that might need attention such as:

• blocked downpipes and gutters
• broken or slipped slates, tiles or glass
• pointing on walls
• the condition of paintwork
• barriers to wildlife access
• vegetation that needs clearing
• any other items that need minor repairs

Specific tasks and minor repairs

Carry out specific tasks regularly so the building stays in good condition and is weatherproof. Tasks could include:

• clearing gutters from debris and leaves
• fixing slipped slate or broken roofing slates and tiles to prevent rainwater penetration
• renewing cast iron gutters and drainpipes
• replacing broken glass
• repainting woodwork and metalwork
• repointing walls
• clearing vegetation

How often the work needs doing

Some work will be required every year. Seasonal tasks, such as clearing gutters and removing vegetation, may need to be done several times a year.

Start on any agreed work as soon as the agreement begins, such as:

• installing wildlife boxes
• undertaking work to enable access for wildlife
• completing the Buildings Maintenance Plan

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.