HS5: Management of historic and archaeological features on grassland

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the management of historic and archaeological features on grassland option.

From:
Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
Published
2 April 2015
Last updated
4 January 2024 — See all updates
Grant type:
Option
Land use:
Educational access, Grassland, Historic environment, Uplands
Tiers or standalone items:
Higher Tier, Mid Tier, Offer: Lowland Grazing, Offer: Mixed Farming, Offer: Upland
Funding (per unit per year):
Up to £100

How much will be paid

£55 per hectare (ha)

Where to use this option

Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier.

  • Only on historic and archaeological features on parcels of permanent grassland

The permanent grassland may form a mosaic with other vegetation types, such as heathland and moorland

Where this option cannot be used

  • On land parcels of more than 15 hectares (ha) above the moorland line

These options and supplements can be located on the same area as this option.

How this option will benefit the environment

It maintains permanent grassland on historic and archaeological features.

Maintaining these features will conserve the character of the farm and protect England’s heritage for future generations. This option may also maintain and conserve landscape character.

Aims

If you’re selected for a site visit, we will check that delivery of the aims is being met and the prohibited activities have not been carried out. This will ensure the environmental benefits are being delivered.

Throughout the year there will be a well-managed grass sward or area of vegetation covering the feature, keeping bare ground to a minimum.

There will be no more than 5% cover of scrub, bracken or pernicious weeds.

Prohibited activities

To achieve the aims and deliver the environmental benefits, do not carry out any of the following activities:

  • Plough, cultivate or re-seed
  • Harrow or roll
  • Apply supplementary feed on or within 6m of the feature
  • Locate vehicle or stock access routes within 6m of the feature (existing surfaced tracks can be used)

On your annual claim you will be asked to declare that you have not carried out any prohibited activities.

To assist you in achieving the aims and deliver the environmental benefits for this option, we recommend that you use best practice.

We recommend that you:

  • maintain a continuous grass sward or vegetation cover so that no more than 5% of the features develop bare patches or erosion
  • make sure scrub, bracken or pernicious weeds cover no more than 5% of the features

Keeping records

Where there is uncertainty about whether the aims of the options have been delivered, we will take into account any records or evidence you may have kept demonstrating delivery of the aims of the option. This will include any steps you’ve taken to follow the recommended management set out above. It’s your responsibility to keep such records if you want to rely on these to support your claim.

  • Field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices
  • A map of existing tracks - this can be marked on any map including the Farm Environment Record (FER)

Additional guidance and advice

The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.

Plan drainage works

Installing or maintaining drainage systems can damage historic and archaeological features. To avoid damage install access points outside the feature so that drains can be maintained without having to excavate.

Further information

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier and Higher Tier including how to apply.

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 4 January 2024 + show all updates

  1. Update to How Much Is Paid

  2. New payment rate from 1 January 2022.

  3. HS5 option updated

  4. Updated for 2017 applications.

  5. Information updated for applications in 2016.

  6. First published.

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