Annex B
Coding non-agricultural land when you apply for the Basic Payment Scheme.
How to code non-agricultural land when you fill in a BP5 application form to apply for the BPS in 2022.
You can tell us about non-agricultural areas and features on agricultural land in your application form using land use codes.
You also need to tell us about these areas and features on any non-agricultural land you have that is eligible for BPS – read the ‘Non-agricultural land under an agri-environment or woodland scheme, such as CS or ES agreement’ for more information.
Declare permanent non-agricultural areas or features, using the land use codes in this Annex. Read ‘Land use codes and non-agricultural areas and features’ for more information
If you haven’t already told us about any permanent non-agricultural areas or features, fill in an RLE1 form and send it to us together with a sketch map. If you’ve already told us, but we haven’t mapped it yet – you don’t have to tell us again. If you are in any doubt about the permanence of a feature, you are advised to fill in an RLE1 form and send it to us together with a sketch map.
| Land use | Code to use in column C7 | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area) | NA02 | An area of land which is normally agricultural, but the intensity, nature, duration, and timing of non- agricultural activity significantly interferes with agricultural activity. Examples - An area that is taken out of agricultural use due to temporary utility or transport works but will later revert to land that is used primarily for agricultural activity - Compost or muck heaps that are in place for less than 3 years and not stored in the land parcel on which they are to be used, or the amount stored is not appropriate for that land parcel. Heaps that are in the same place for 3 years or more should always be treated as permanent non-agricultural features. - An area used for turf production for fuel for less than 3 years. Areas used for turf production for fuel for 3 years or more should always be treated as permanent non- agricultural features. - Machinery (on grass or bare soil) if it has been stored in the same place for more than a year but less than 3 years. Machinery stored for 3 years or more should always be treated as a permanent non-agricultural feature. - An area used for peat production for less than 3 years. Areas used for peat production for 3 years or more should always be treated as permanent non-agricultural features. - An area in which the non-agricultural activities referred to in the ‘Basic Payment Scheme: rules for 2022’ occur on the land for more than 28 days in the calendar year. |
| Airstrip/airports | MT05 | Airstrip – a stretch of land which has been cleared so that light aircraft can take off and land. The area is defined by the edges of the landing strip. Grass air strips that are only used for part of the year on land that is normally agricultural should be declared as agricultural land. Airport – an area of land where aircraft land and take off and which provides facilities for handling passengers, air freight and servicing aircraft. |
| Non-utilised Bank | PL01 | This code should only be used for banks which are inaccessible or not protected under cross compliance. A bank is a raised linear feature that is artificially constructed and predominantly made up of earth. A bank can have a vegetated, bare earth or stone surface. |
| Bog | IW07 | An area of land that is normally waterlogged throughout the year and consists of spongy moss and peat. Bogs most often occur in low lying flat areas with poor drainage, and in upland areas of high rainfall. |
| Boulders | RO03 | An area of large, rounded rocks that are weathered or water-worn and have a diameter that is greater than 0.2 metres. |
| Bracken, heather and heathland | HE02 | Bracken - this code should only be used for an area of bracken which is not kept in a state suitable for grazing or is in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage are not predominant. Grazeable bracken in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage remain predominant should be declared as permanent grassland. Bracken is an area covered predominantly by a type of fern (Pteridium aquilinum) found together with other species in heathland or hill sides. See also ‘Scattered bracken or heather’. Heather - this code should only be used for an area of heather which is not kept in a state suitable for grazing. Grazeable heather should be declared as permanent grassland. Heather is an area covered predominantly by common heather and various species of the Cassiope or Erica genus. See also ‘Scattered bracken or heather’. |
| Cliff | CF01 | A feature representing a steep rock face, most commonly occurring where the land meets the sea. Cliffs may be semi-natural, in the case of disused mineral workings, or manmade in the case of rock faces resulting from construction activity. |
| Farm building | AB01 | A building used for livestock husbandry, cultivation or the storage of crops, feed and machinery, and associated residences, for example, farmhouses. |
| Farmyard | AB09 | The open ground, generally of hard standing or compacted earth, surrounding farm buildings. |
| Fen, marsh and swamp | IW06 | An area of low and flat waterlogged land. |
| Gallop | NT01 | A track with a grass or manmade surface that is used for horses to gallop on when being trained for horse racing. Grass gallops can exceptionally be considered part of the agricultural area of a land parcel but only if it can proven that the non-agricultural activity does not significantly interfere with agricultural activity. |
| General Utility | UT06 | A type of permanent infrastructure on land that is not covered by other utility classifications. Examples include water tanks and butts. |
| Glasshouse, including polytunnels | AB06 | This code should be used for glasshouses on a hard standing. For BPS also use this code if the glasshouse is being used to grow ineligible crops. A horticultural building constructed largely of glass, which is on a hard standing or used to grow ineligible crops. The area of a glasshouse that is on a natural surface and is being used to grow eligible crops should be declared using the land use of the eligible crops. |
| Golf course | RL04 | Bunkers, greens, fairways and areas of rough that are part of the playing course. Includes putting greens and driving ranges. Golf courses can exceptionally be considered part of the agricultural area of a land parcel but only if it can be proven that the non-agricultural activity does not significantly interfere with agricultural activity. |
| Hard standing | HS01 | A manmade, open ground surface built using aggregate, concrete-type construction materials. |
| Heap | HE03 | A permanent pile of farm refuse, for example straw, manure, compost, hay or silage. A heap is permanent if it has been kept at the same location for 3 years or more. |
| Intertidal habitats | MW04 | An area of sand or mud uncovered at low tide. |
| Mineral extraction site | MS04 | A site used for mineral extraction. Includes both currently operational and disused sites. |
| Peat production | CM01 | This code should only be used for an area of land which is permanently used for peat production. An area of land is permanently used for peat production if the production has taken (or will take) 3 years or more. Peat production is an area of land used for peat extraction. |
| Pond | WF03 | An area of fresh water, often artificially constructed, which is smaller than a lake. Includes artificially created scrapes which are winter feeding areas for wading birds. |
| Railway | MT04 | Steel bar or continuous line of bars laid on the ground, usually forming a track used for the movement of trains. |
| Reed bed | MW03 | This code should only be used for reed beds which are not kept in a state suitable for grazing or are in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage are not predominant. Grazeable reed beds in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage remain predominant should be declared as permanent grassland. A reed bed is an area of tall, stiff marsh or water grass of various kinds. |
| Residential dwelling, house | NR01 | Residential dwellings, including domestic outbuildings. |
| Residential garden | WO17 | A garden making up part of a residential dwelling. |
| Road | MT03 | A metalled or surfaced way that is clearly marked, permanent and forms part of a wider road network with, for example, road markings, road names or road numbers. |
| Rocky outcrop | RO04 | A protrusion of rocks above the ground in a conspicuous form. |
| Sand dunes | CF03 | An area of sand dunes (ridges of sand created by the wind). |
| Saline habitats | MW05 | A coastal area with a sodium chloride content of at least 0.5%. |
| Salt marsh | MW01 | This code should only be used for salt marshes which are not kept in a state suitable for grazing or are in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage are not predominant. Grazeable salt marsh in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage remain predominant should be coded as permanent grassland. Salt marsh is an area of coastal grassland which is frequently inundated by the sea. |
| Scattered bracken or heather | NF02 | Scattered bracken - areas of bracken that are scattered in a land parcel, are not kept in a state suitable for grazing or are in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage are not predominant. Scattered bracken which is grazeable and in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage remain predominant should be coded as permanent grassland. Scattered heather - areas of heather which are scattered in a land parcel and are not kept in a state suitable for grazing. Scattered heather which is grazeable should be coded as permanent grassland. This code should be used only for scattered features within a land parcel which are too small to map individually but which - when added together - have a combined area of 0.01ha or greater. Scattered features are also referred to as ‘notional features. |
| Scattered features - mixed | NF08 | This code can be used for a combination of more than one type of the scattered features described in this table. This code should only be used for scattered features within a land parcel which are too small to map individually but which - when added together - have a combined area of 0.01ha or greater. Scattered features are also referred to as ‘notional features’. |
| Scattered manmade features | NF07 | Any manmade features which are scattered in a land parcel. This code should be used only for scattered features within a land parcel which are too small to map individually but which - when added together - have a combined area of 0.01ha or greater. Scattered features are also referred to as ‘notional features’. |
| Scattered natural features | NF06 | Natural features that are scattered in a land parcel, are not kept in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation, are not protected under cross compliance, and are not included under any other land use codes. This code should only be used for scattered features within a land parcel which are too small to map individually but which - when added together - have a combined area of 0.01ha or greater. Scattered features are also referred to as ‘notional features’. |
| Scattered rock | NF01 | All naturally occurring scattered elements of a rocky nature. Includes small outcrops, areas of shingle or scree, small boulders, etc. This code should only be used for scattered features within a land parcel which are too small to map individually but which - when added together - have a combined area of 0.01ha or greater. Scattered features are also referred to as ‘notional features’. |
| Scattered scrub | NF03 | This code should only be used for patches of scrub which are scattered in a land parcel and are not kept in a state suitable for grazing or are in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage are not predominant. Includes patches of scrub which are too dense to be grazed. Scattered scrub which is grazeable and in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage remain predominant should be coded as permanent grassland. This code should only be used for scattered features within a land parcel which are too small to map individually but which - when added together - have a combined area of 0.01ha or greater. Scattered features are also referred to as ‘notional features’. |
| Scattered water features | NF05 | All naturally occurring scattered elements of a watery nature. Includes small ponds, springs, etc. This code should only be used for scattered features within a land parcel which are too small to map individually but which - when added together - have a combined area of 0.01ha or greater. Scattered features are also referred to as ‘notional features’. |
| Scree | RO02 | A mass of loose stones on the side of a steep rock face. |
| Scrub | WO25 | This code should only be used for scrub which is not kept in a state suitable for grazing or is in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage are not predominant. Includes scrub which is too dense to be grazed. Grazable scrub in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage remain predominant should be coded as permanent grassland. Scrub is an area of shrubs and bushes, including Rhododendrons, Gorse, Briar and Boom. See also ‘Scattered scrub’ |
| Shingle | IW05 | An area of small, rounded pebbles. |
| Stone wall | BB01 | This code should only be used for stone walls that are not protected under cross compliance. Stone walls protected under cross compliance should be coded using the land use code for the main land use of the parcel. A stone wall is a wall structure built with stones, traditionally with loose field stones and mortar. |
| Solar panels | UT01 | An area taken up by solar panels and solar panel arrays. Land parcels which contain solar panels are ineligible for BPS. If the panels are concentrated in one end of a field, the rest of the land can be eligible if the 2 areas are registered as individual land parcels and separated by a permanent boundary. |
| Sports and recreation | RL03 | An area of land used for permanent sports and recreational activities. |
| Storage area | SA02 | An area of bare earth that is used for storage purposes. Includes storage of farm-related machinery, hay bales, etc. |
| Structure | ST05 | A manmade structure that is not described under any other land use code. Examples include animal shelters or polytunnels on a hard standing. |
| Tidal areas | MW02 | Tidal areas other than salt marshes. |
| Track - natural surface | NT03 | This code should only be used for a natural, unsurfaced track or path which is not used as part of the agricultural activity carried out on the land parcel or is part of a transport network entering and exiting the land parcel. Natural paths and tracks which are used as part of the agricultural activity carried out on the land parcel and are not part of a transport network entering and exiting the land parcel, should be coded using the land use code for the main land use of the parcel. |
| Manmade track (Metalled) | MT01 | A metalled or surfaced way that is clearly marked and permanent. Includes any manmade surface, such as areas of asphalt, concrete and gravel. |
| Turf production | CM02 | This code should only be used for a site which is permanently used for the production of turf for fuel. A site is permanently used for the production or turf for fuel if the production has taken (or will take) place for 3 years or more. Turf for later replanting will be considered part of the agricultural area of the land parcel and should be coded as either permanent grassland or temporary grassland. Turf production is a site used for the production of turf, a surface layer of earth containing a dense growth of grass and its roots. |
| Vegetated shingle | CF02 | An area of water-worn pebbles which supports growth of vegetation. |
| Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke (in-field) | WF01 | This code should only be used for a drain, ditch or dyke which is inside the land parcel and is not part of the parcel boundary. A drain, ditch or dyke is an artificial channel used to carry excess water from low-lying areas. |
| Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2) | IW02 | This code should only be used for a river or stream which: - is inside the land parcel and is not part of the parcel boundary. - is less than 4 metres wide over the majority of its length. A river or stream is a body of water flowing in a definite channel towards the sea, a lake or into another river. |
| Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 3) | IW03 | This code should only be used for a river or stream which: - is inside the land parcel and is not part of the parcel boundary - is greater than, or equal to, 4 metres wide over the majority of its length A river or stream is a body of water flowing in a definite channel towards the sea, a lake or into another river. |
| Water treatment works | UT07 | A site where water is treated and supplied. |
| Woodland | WO12 | An area of woodland preventing agricultural activity. Includes areas where the density of the trees prevents the growth of vegetative under-storey needed to support agricultural activity. Use this code for newly planted woodland that does not meet the BPS eligibility rules. |
Non-agricultural land used with entitlements to apply for SPS in 2008 and currently in certain options under an agri-environment or woodland scheme, such as CS or ES or the National Forest Changing Landscapes Scheme, the Woodland Carbon Fund or the HS2 Woodland Fund, can still be eligible for BPS.
For details on how to claim BPS on these land areas and the appropriate land use codes to use on your BPS application you should read ‘’Guidance on agri-environment agreements (Countryside Stewardship) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) and the Basic Payment Scheme’ or for woodland schemes you should read Forestry Commission ‘Guidance on woodland grant schemes and BPS: operations note 42’. The guidance will also provide details about the appropriate land cover for these areas and tell you if you need to submit an RLE1 and sketch map to change the land cover.
Other non-agricultural land under these schemes that was not used with entitlements to claim for SPS in 2008 is not eligible for BPS. However, you still need to enter it on your BP5 form using the appropriate non-agricultural land use code as cross compliance applies to this land.
| Land use | Code to use in column C7 |
|---|---|
| Non-agricultural land, for example woodland, which was used with entitlements to apply for SPS in 2008 and is at your disposal, remains eligible for BPS because it is under a suitable agri-environment or woodland scheme, such as CS or ES agreement including the National Forest Changing Landscape Scheme, the Woodland Carbon Fund or the HS2 Woodland Fund. Agri-environment scheme agreement holders should refer to ‘Guidance on agri-environment agreements (Countryside Stewardship) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) and the Basic Payment Scheme’ and Woodland scheme agreement holders can refer to Forestry Commission ‘Guidance on woodland grant schemes and BPS: operations note 42’ for details about the appropriate Land cover for these areas to be claimed for BPS. |
RD01 |