{"analytics_identifier":null,"base_path":"/countryside-stewardship-grants/grip-blocking-drainage-channels-wn1","content_id":"be9829a6-9d17-4b06-907a-a45a5b09e753","description":"Find out about eligibility and requirements for the grip blocking drainage channels item.","details":{"body":"<div class=\"example\">\n  <p>This item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026. You must read the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-tier-capital-grants-2026\">Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026 guidance</a> to understand the rules and how to apply.<br><br>\nIf you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht\">CSHT applicant’s guide</a> to understand the rules and how to apply.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-much-youll-be-paid\">How much you’ll be paid </h2>\n\n<p>£19.06 per block.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-this-item-benefits-the-environment\">How this item benefits the environment</h2>\n\n<p>Blocking grips and drainage channels maintains and restores wetter conditions across habitats and vegetation mosaics. Restored and re-wetted habitats support target vegetation and species.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"where-you-can-use-this-item\">Where you can use this item </h2>\n\n<p>You can only use this item with the agreement of Natural England where at least one of the following apply:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>blocking grips or drainage channels will contribute to restoration of priority habitats</li>\n  <li>re-wetting will provide habitat for breeding waders</li>\n  <li>blocking of grips or drainage channels is included in an implementation plan or feasibility study agreed with Natural England – you can link this to a habitat restoration plan</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You may need to contact the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency#org-contacts\">Environment Agency</a>, lead local flood authority or <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.ada.org.uk/member_type/idbs/\">internal drainage board</a> to get any consents or permits regarding the impact on flood risk.</p>\n\n<p>You can use this item in either upland or lowland areas.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"what-you-must-do-to-use-this-item\">What you must do to use this item </h2>\n\n<p>You must use block grips or drainage channels either as:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>agreed with your Natural England adviser</li>\n  <li>set out in your implementation plan or feasibility study (if you have one)</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You must inspect all grips or drains and blocks to make sure:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>there are no breaches in grips or drains and blocks</li>\n  <li>excess water from the grip or drain does not flow into the channel below the block</li>\n  <li>excess water soaks into the ground, down slope from the blocked grip</li>\n  <li>no water flows between dams except for natural peak surface water</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You need to take photographs and record inspections. You’ll need to agree this, and the frequency of the inspections, with your Natural England adviser.</p>\n\n<p>The agreement will set out what must not be done. It’s likely you will not be allowed to:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>damage surface vegetation</li>\n  <li>expose bare soil or peat</li>\n  <li>establish linear routes</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You should discuss and agree requirements that are specific to your site with your adviser. </p>\n\n<h2 id=\"evidence-you-must-keep\">Evidence you must keep </h2>\n\n<p>You must keep photographs of the completed work and provide them with your claim.</p>\n\n<p>You must keep and provide on request :</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>any consents or permissions connected with the work</li>\n  <li>receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable</li>\n  <li>a copy of the implementation plan or feasibility study (where applicable)</li>\n  <li>photographs of a sample (2%) of the sites that will be blocked</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agreement-holders-guide-capital-grants-higher-tier-capital-grants-and-protection-and-infrastructure-grants-2026\">Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants</a> for more information.</p>\n\n<p>If 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 <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht\">CSHT agreement holder’s guide</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"items-you-can-use-with-this-item\">Items you can use with this item</h2>\n\n<h3 id=\"capital-plans\">Capital plans</h3>\n\n<p>You can use these plans with this item:</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/implementation-plan-pa1\">PA1: Implementation plan</a></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/feasibility-study-pa2\">PA2: Feasibility study</a></p>\n\n<h3 id=\"capital-items\">Capital items</h3>\n\n<p>You can use this item with <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/capital-grant-finder/gr1-create-or-restore-grassland-habitat\">GR1: Create or restore grassland habitat</a></p>\n\n<h2 id=\"advice-to-help-you-use-this-item\">Advice to help you use this item</h2>\n\n<p>The 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.</p>\n\n<p>You should consider employing specialist contractors to do this work.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"picking-the-right-location\">Picking the right location</h3>\n\n<p>Pick areas:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>where peat and mineral soils have been drained – re-wetting will restore more natural hydrological conditions benefitting many habitats including peat-forming bog and fens</li>\n  <li>targeted by Natural England as priority habitat which needs to be re-wetted– you can find areas of priority habitat on <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://magic.defra.gov.uk/magicmap.aspx\">MAGIC</a> and by discussing with your Natural England adviser.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"constructing-the-blocks\">Constructing the blocks</h3>\n\n<p>When creating the blocks, make sure:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>the blocks are wider than the grip or drainage channel and keyed into the sides to prevent breaching and erosion</li>\n  <li>the grips are blocked from the top downwards</li>\n  <li>dams match the topography with varied positions at 7 metres (m) or less apart</li>\n  <li>the grips can fill to a water level above the base of the next dam higher up the slope</li>\n  <li>the tops of dams are slightly higher than ground level after installation and natural shrinkage – the water then overflows away from the dam and soaks into the vegetation.</li>\n  <li>that you use a very low ground pressure excavator with wide tracks when grip blocking</li>\n  <li>ensure all operations minimise vehicle movement up and down the dip of the slope</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"managing-historic-and-archaeological-features\">Managing historic and archaeological features</h3>\n\n<p>If you have one, show the location of any features of historic or archaeological importance in the implementation plan or feasibility study to avoid damaging them.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"using-vehicles-and-machines-on-site\">Using vehicles and machines on site</h3>\n\n<p>Reduce machine damage by adding steps in the implementation plan or feasibility study to factor in:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>site access tracks</li>\n  <li>the surrounding habitat</li>\n  <li>the use of low pressure and appropriate machines</li>\n</ul>\n","change_history":[{"note":"Amended to advise you need to agree the frequency of inspections of grips or drains and blocks with your Natural England adviser.","public_timestamp":"2025-10-15T15:00:12Z"},{"note":"Amended item - you do not need to have CS options UP2 or UP3 on the same land parcel as this item.","public_timestamp":"2025-02-03T12:16:07Z"},{"note":"This item can now be used as a standalone capital item not just in combination with a land management option.","public_timestamp":"2023-08-04T11:13:28Z"},{"note":"Updated for 2017 applications.\r\n","public_timestamp":"2017-03-09T16:37:19Z"},{"note":"Information updated for applications in 2016.","public_timestamp":"2016-03-29T10:10:56Z"},{"note":"First 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