SW12: Making space for water
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the making space for water option.
How much will be paid
£1,489 per hectare (ha).
How long this option lasts
This option lasts for 20 years, instead of the standard 5 years for the grant scheme. This is because the work needs a high level of change.
Where to use this option
It is available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier on whole or part parcels on arable, temporary grassland or improved permanent grassland that meets all of the following conditions:
- the site, either alone or as part of a group application, forms a natural hydrological unit
- the Environment Agency have provided written support
- the site is identified in a relevant Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) strategic river restoration plan, or River Basin Management Plan
To use this option you must also meet one of the following conditions:
- be following a recommended fertiliser management system to plan nutrient inputs across the farm
- plan to adopt a recommended fertiliser management system within 18 months of the start of the agreement
- qualify as a low intensity farmer
Where this option cannot be used
On land already receiving funding for Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs) declared for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).
Features that can be included in this option
Over the life of the agreement the features present on the land may change or move. The following features can be included even if they are not eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS):
- new areas of water (rivers, streams, becks and brooks, ponds, standing water), bare ground, cobble, gravel, trees and scrub (planted or naturally regenerating)
- increased areas of water (rivers, streams, becks and brooks, ponds, standing water), trees and scrub (planted or naturally regenerating)
How this option will benefit the environment
It will help water flow in a winding course across floodplains, flooding temporarily to restore river and wetland habitats. This will also reduce the risk of high energy flows and soil erosion, and allow water to drain freely back into the river channel.
If successful there will be:
- new areas of river and wetland habitats appearing, such as new channels, temporary ponds in old channels and wet grassland
- gradual erosion and movement of the river bed and river banks
- deposits of gravel, sand and silt appearing in the river channel and on the floodplain after a flood
Requirements
You must:
- prepare the land to receive additional floodwater from the watercourse next to it and allow the river and water to move freely in the floodplain
- establish grassland
- follow grazing or cutting requirements, including exclude livestock at certain times
- limit manure and fertiliser applications
The agreement will set out what you cannot do. It is likely you will not be allowed to:
- use pesticides other than for control of injurious weeds or invasive species
- create new tracks for vehicle access
- undertake land forming and earthworks, works to river banks or bed, flood defences or bank protection and drainage works other than as set out in the agreement
- carry out supplementary feeding
Keeping records
Before you apply, get advice from the Environment Agency and any consent or approval that you need. You do not need to send this with your application, but you will need to send it with your annual payment claim.
You must send the following with your application:
- a map of permitted access routes – you can mark these on any map, including the Farm Environment Record (FER)
- SSSI strategic river restoration plan or river basin management plan
You must send the following with your annual payment claim:
- support from the Environment Agency
You must keep the following records and supply them on request:
- any bank statements, receipted invoices, consents or permissions connected to the work
- a record of all management activity on the option area for each parcel
- a monthly record of the numbers of livestock grazing each parcel
- photographs of works completed on shingle banks, river channels, flood defences or bank protection, or any completed land forming or earth works
- evidence that you are using a recommended fertiliser management system or that you are a low intensity farmer
Related options
You can locate the following options and supplements in the same area as this option:
- BE3 – Management of hedgerows
- OR1 - Organic conversion - improved permanent grassland
- OT1 - Organic land management - improved permanent grassland
- SP4 - Control of invasive plant species supplement
- SP9 – Threatened species supplement
- WT3 – Management of ditches of high environmental value
Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this option
The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.
How to choose the right location
In most cases you will need professional advice to choose the right location for this option. It is usually in areas where flooding and river movement is the most active. Marginal land next to river SSSIs that require restoration for river habitats and species is suitable. In some circumstances this option may be suitable for land next to priority habitat rivers.
You cannot use this option where there is an existing obligation to carry out the works or management required, for example as a planning condition or as compensation.
This options aims to restore natural river movement which in most cases is likely to make the land ineligible for BPS. You should check with the RPA before claiming BPS on the land under this option.
Consents and permissions
You will need advice and relevant consents from the Environment Agency, Natural England and the local authority before you can carry out any work.
Feasibility studies
You will need a Feasibility Study to assess the feasibility of restoring the river on the site. A feasibility study can be funded.
Capital works plan
You will need a capital works plan to set out how to alter the current course of the river. It should include the engineering requirements to remove flood banks or bank protection. Funding is available to help support the development of an implementation plan and to carry out major preparatory works.
Get help to carry out this option
In some cases you may need to hire a specialist project or site manager to act as a clerk of works to help carry out this option.
Access routes and managing flood risk
You may need new routes or bridges to access and maintain the site. Do not locate these where they will affect future river movement or temporary flooding. You must identify escape routes and refuge areas for people or livestock to use during floods.
Work with neighbouring farms
You may need to work with neighbouring farms to manage land within the hydrological unit and make sure you can access the land.
Biodiversity
This option 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
Whole-river restoration strategies have been developed for rivers designated as SSSIs. This option can be used to help implement them. Read more about restoring designated rivers in England on the River Restoration Centre website.
River Basin Management Plans are drawn up for river basin districts in England, Wales and Scotland as a requirement of the water framework directive.
Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Higher Tier including how to apply.
Last updated 4 January 2024 + show all updates
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Update to How Much Is Paid
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'Features that can be included in this option' section updated to include trees and scrub.
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The Keeping records section of this page has been updated
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Updated keeping records section for evidence required at application.
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From 1 January 2019, this option cannot be used on land already receiving funding for Ecological Focus Areas (EFAs) declared for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).
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Updated for 2017 applications.
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Information updated for applications in 2016.
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First published.