This item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026. You must read the Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026 guidance to understand the rules and how to apply.
\nIf 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.
£270.90 per hectare (ha).
\n\nManaging bracken can:
\n\nrestore or maintain high value natural habitats and the wildlife that live there
\nprotect archaeological features
\nhelp maintain or enhance the landscape’s character
\nYou’ll need to get permission from Natural England (or the Forestry Commission for woodland) before using this item.
\n\nIf you’re using this item near water, you’ll need consent from the Environment Agency before you use it.
\n\nYou can only use it to manage bracken alongside management actions or options on habitats such as:
\n\nUse chemical bracken control on small areas and in limited circumstances. You’ll agree where and when you use it with your adviser. This may include some historic sites where mechanical management may cause damage.
\n\nYou can use SB5: Mechanical bracken control instead of chemical bracken control in most circumstances.
\n\nYou’ll need to agree with Natural England or the Forestry Commission the work you’ll carry out based on a habitat management plan. This plan must include Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles.
\n\nYour adviser will adapt the requirements for this item to your site. You should discuss and agree these requirements with them.
\n\nYou must keep photographs of the completed works and provide with your claim.
\n\nYou must keep and provide on request:
\n\nRead 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.
\n\nIf you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide.
\n\nYou can use this item with these capital plans:
\n\n\n\n\n\nYou can use with Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier actions, usually:
\n\nCLH1: Manage lowland heathland
\n\nCLH2: Restore lowland heathland
\n\nCLH3: Create lowland heathland
\n\n\n\nCUP2: Manage rough grazing for birds
\n\nCUP3: General moorland management
\n\nThe following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements.
\n\nNatural England or the Forestry Commission will help you choose the best method of bracken management.
\n\nYou’ll need an implementation plan and feasibility study approved by Natural England or a feasibility study on larger sites (particularly where major habitat restoration is involved). This will include:
\n\nThe plan must include:
\n\nYou may only need a simple plan for a smaller site. It should include a map showing areas you’ll treat and your planned schedule for managing the site. It’ll need to include enough information for Natural England (or Forestry Commission for woodland) to agree any works. You may not need an implementation plan or feasibility study on these sites.
\n\nYou should make sure that bracken management has a minimal negative effect on other environmental interests on the site. You should follow the UK best practice guidance.
\n\nChemicals to manage bracken may damage other plants within the habitat and may harm water quality.
\n\nAll pesticide applications must follow the law and relevant codes of practice.
\n\nMake sure any relevant consents are in place before carrying out the work. This includes consent from the Environment Agency to spray near a watercourse.
\n\nIf any areas are missed, they’ll need spraying during the following year.
\n\nYou can reduce the likelihood of bracken regenerating by combining with appropriate grazing. This is because livestock trampling helps control bracken. As the site regenerates, you may need to manage any bracken regrowth or weeds such as nettle, thistle, dock or ragwort by weed wiping. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach should reduce and ideally remove the use of pesticides.
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