FM2: Major preparatory works for priority habitats (creation and restoration) and priority species
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the major preparatory works for priority habitats (creation and restoration) and priority species item.
How much will be paid
Up to 100% of actual costs.
Where to use this item
It is available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier only:
- with a land management option where a priority species is known to be present, or occurs locally and the work is likely to lead to its colonisation – the work needs written support from a recognised specialist (either an individual or organisation) on the species
- when the need for major preparatory works is identified in an Implementation Plan or Feasibility Study approved by Natural England
- to create or enhance a priority habitat along with a land management option
It is available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier Capital Grants only:
- with a land management option in an existing agreement where a priority species is known to be present, or occurs locally and the work is likely to lead to its colonisation – the work needs written support from a recognised specialist (either an individual or organisation) on the species
- when the need for major preparatory works is identified in an Implementation Plan or Feasibility Study approved by Natural England
- to create or enhance a priority habitat along with a land management option in an existing agreement
Where this item cannot be used
This item cannot be used to fund:
- any work within the scope of standard options or capital items
- certified agricultural seed, amenity grass seed or legume varieties seed, even if these are species found in the wild, unless the seed is used:
- to restore bare peat on moorland
- where agricultural or amenity grasses are used as a nurse crop to establish moorland vegetation
How this item will benefit the environment
If successful this item will result in large scale restoration and creation of priority habitats and bespoke management for priority species.
Requirements
You must:
- when necessary, agree with Natural England a detailed specification for the works
- get at least 3 written quotations for completion of the work, identifying associated costs, and agree the selected quotation with Natural England
- complete the works in the approved specification, implementation plan or feasibility study within the agreed timescale
Keeping records
You must send the following with your application:
- 3 quotes for completion of the work
You must keep the following records and supply them with your payment claim:
- photographs of the completed work
- specification of agreed works
You must keep the following records and supply them on request:
- any consents or permissions connected with the work
- receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is not available
- photographs of site before works starts
- a copy of the implementation plan or feasibility study, when necessary
Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the Higher Tier guidance for more detail
Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this item
The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.
Moorland management option
You can use this item with UP3 - Management of moorland option to fund:
- restoring and stabilising bare peat - seeding, geo-textiles, plug planting, re-profiling and sphagnum inoculation
- enhancing wet heath - plug plants, sphagnum, geo-textiles, and stone or wooden dams for gully works
- heath restoration works by removing conifers
- the cost of transporting materials over sensitive moorland habitats, such as blanket bog
Other land management
You can use this item with other land management options to fund:
- specific plug plants (food plants for invertebrate species, such as barberry for barberry carpet moth, hogs fennel for fisher’s estuarine moth, tailored seed mixes for short-haired bumble bee)
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native British seed mixes (sourced from wild populations) to increase plant diversity by:
- over-sowing with an agreed seed mix or green hay
- spreading brash or plug planting along with habitat creation or restoration
- the cost of collecting, transporting and spreading hay or brash
- creating coastal habitat, including inter-tidal habitat (‘managed realignment’)
- creating shingle islands for species such as tern or avocet
- creating and enhancing lowland heath - clearing bracken litter and humus, preparing ground, spreading heather cuttings or seeds, and creating bare ground
- restoring and maintaining natural river processes in a floodplain
- hiring and transporting specialist equipment for preparatory work for priority species habitat management
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maintenance costs for hiring, purchasing or maintaining equipment that helps priority species to thrive, such as:
- maintaining electric fencing on breeding lapwing plots
- maintaining mobile batteries for electric fencing
- keeping grass cut to stop shorting of electric fence
- regular equipment maintenance
Additional guidance and advice
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
This option can form part of an IPM approach to prevent the establishment of pests, weeds and diseases. If successful, appropriate and within proximity of cropped areas, these may limit the need for the use of Plant Protection Products and enhance wildlife and biodiversity on your holding. Read information on IPM at AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) Integrated Pest Management and LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming).
Biodiversity
This item has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.
The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.
Further information
See Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage for guidance on Higher Tier or Higher Tier Capital Grants to find out more about the scheme and how to apply.
Last updated 14 February 2023 + show all updates
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This item is available under Higher Tier Capital Grants
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'Additional guidance and advice' added to explain this option can form part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to prevent the establishment of pests, weeds and diseases.
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The Keeping records section of this page has been updated
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Updated for 2017 applications.
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Information updated for applications in 2016.
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First published.