WN4: Ditch, dyke and rhine creation

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the ditch, dyke and rhine creation item.

From:
Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
Published
2 April 2015
Last updated
4 August 2023 — See all updates
Grant type:
Capital item
Land use:
Flood risk, Grassland, Priority habitats and Uplands
Tiers or standalone items:
Higher Tier and Standalone capital items
Funding (per unit per year):
Up to £100

How much will be paid

£13.63 per metre.

Where to use this item

Available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier and Higher Tier Capital Grants.

Where this item cannot be used

To create ditches that will lead to waterlogged land being drained or archaeological features being dried out.

How this item will benefit the environment

It aims to establish raised water levels to help restore or create habitats.

Requirements

Agreement holders are likely to need to:

  • create a channel 70cm to 100cm deep, creating a variety of depths in it and grading to a shallow, wet marginal fringe
  • make sure that the bank slope profile varies along the length of the ditch (most slopes should be between 30 and 45 degrees)
  • create berms along the sides of the ditch
  • place the excavated material on top of the bank or in the field next to it, making sure it does not fill hollows or low areas
  • make sure the excavated material is not placed on historic or archaeological features
  • spread the spoil thinly to prevent a spoil bank from forming

The agreement will set out what must not be done. It is likely agreement holders will not be allowed to:

  • fill hollows or low areas within the field with spoil
  • place spoil on historic or archaeological features

Keeping records

Agreement holders will need to 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 unavailable
  • photographs of site before works start

Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Higher Tier guidance for more detail. You can find the latest guidance at Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage.

Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them with the claim:

  • photographs of the completed work

Before applying for this item applicants should contact the Environment Agency for advice and relevant consents. Applicants may also need to obtain relevant consents from the Internal Drainage Board or Historic England. You do not need to provide this with your application, but you will need to submit any consents with your payment claim.

The detailed requirements for this item will be tailored to the Higher Tier site. Higher Tier applicants should discuss and agree these requirements with their adviser.

You can use this item on the same area as the following options:

Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this item

The following section gives advice on carrying out this item successfully but does not form part of the requirements for this item.

Agreement holders should aim to create ditches, rhines or dykes that are characteristic of the local landscape.

Further information

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.

Updates to this page

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 4 August 2023 + show all updates

  1. This item can now be used as a standalone item not just in combination with a land management options

  2. Updated for 2017 applications.

  3. Information updated for applications in 2016.

  4. First published.

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