HS4: Scrub control on historic and archaeological features

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the scrub control on historic and archaeological features 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:
Grassland, Historic environment, Uplands, Woodland
Tiers or standalone items:
Higher Tier, Mid Tier
Funding (per unit per year):
£201 to £300

How much will be paid

£215 per hectare (ha)

Where to use this option

  • Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier
  • Whole or part parcel
  • Only on historic and archaeological features with more than 5% scrub cover

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

How this option will benefit the environment

It reduces the risk of root damage to historic and archaeological features by permanently removing the majority of scrub.

Protecting historical and archaeological features will conserve the character of the landholding and protect England’s heritage for future generations. This option may also maintain and conserve landscape character.

Depending on the site’s location, this option may help to:

  • reduce diffuse pollution
  • reduce soil erosion

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, keeping bare ground to a minimum, growing over the historic and archaeological feature.

Throughout the year the historic and archaeological features are not obscured by scrub or damaged by erosion.

During the autumn and winter, about a quarter of the scrub will be removed each year for the first three years, and regrowth will be controlled thereafter so that scrub covers no more than 75% of the feature.

Prohibited activities

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

  • Clear scrub between 1 March and 30 September
  • Grub out stumps and roots
  • Plough, cultivate or re-seed
  • Harrow or roll
  • Supplementary feed on or within 6 metres (m) of the historic or archaeological feature
  • Locate vehicle or stock access routes within 6 metres (m) 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. When removing trees or scrub, you must get any relevant consents, such as a felling licence or Environmental Impact Assessment from the Forestry Commission, before carrying out the work.

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:

  • remove 25% of scrub on the feature every year for the first 3 years (total 75%), clearing only between 1 October and 28 February
  • remove cuttings and brash
  • try to make sure that any mature trees felled will fall away from the feature
  • leave stumps and roots in place
  • plan work so that, wherever possible, extraction routes, bonfire sites, timber processing and storage sites are away from the features
  • prevent and control scrub re-growth
  • prevent additional scrub encroaching on historic or archaeological features.
  • maintain a continuous grass sward or vegetation cover over the features so that no more than 5% have bare patches and erosion

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
  • Photographs of the historic and archaeological features and the extent of scrub before works start
  • A map of existing tracks - these can be marked on any map including the Farm Environment Record (FER) or Woodland Management Plan

Additional guidance and advice

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

Ways to remove scrub

Scrub can be removed by:

  • mowing
  • flailing
  • using a chainsaw or strimmer
  • clearing by hand

Scrub should be cut down to ground level without disturbing the roots. Make sure all cut material is removed from the site.

Control scrub regrowth

Scrub regrowth can be controlled using:

  • livestock grazing
  • machinery
  • chemicals to treat roots

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.

Updates to this page

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. Updated to include forestry/woodland.

  4. HS4 option updated

  5. Updated for 2017 applications.

  6. Information updated for applications in 2016.

  7. First published.

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