Guidance

Rural payments: land use codes 2023

What land use codes to use in 2023 when declaring land in a rural payments application such as the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Countryside Stewardship (CS).

• From: Rural Payments Agency
• Published: 11 January 2023

Applies to England

When farmers apply for a rural payment scheme, they must use the codes on this page to declare what they use their land for.

To search the lists on this page, click ‘CTRL’ and ‘F’ and type in the term or code you’re looking for.

There are codes for:

• agricultural land
• non-agricultural land
• Countryside Stewardship options with multiple crops

There are also some codes you must not use for BPS.

Read more about BPS 2023.

Agricultural land

Land use codes for agricultural land are given below for:

Permanent grassland and permanent grassland buffer strips

Land use	Code	Description
Permanent grassland	PG01	All land you are planning to count as permanent grassland for BPS. You can include strips and margins of permanent grassland under the main land use of the parcel and they do not need to be separately identified.

Permanent crops

Land use	Code	Description
Permanent crops other than nursery crops and short rotation coppice	TC01	Permanent crops are crops that occupy the land for 5 years or more (other than permanent grassland) and nursery crops and provide repeated harvests. They include nursery crops short rotation (code NU01) and short rotation coppice (code SR01). Multi-annual/perennial crops include: Almonds Apples Apricots Artichoke Asparagus Avocados Bilberries Blackberries Blueberries Cherries Chestnuts Citrus fruit Cranberries Currants English Chamomile Figs Gooseberries Grapes Guavas Hazelnuts Hops Hyssop Lavender Loganberries Macadamia nuts Mangos Mangosteens Melissa Mint Miscanthus Mulberries Papayas and Locust beans Peaches Pears Pecans Pineapples Pine nuts Pistachios Plantains Plums Raspberries Reed canary grass Rhubarb Rosemary Sloes and Quinces Walnuts Yarrow Other fruits under the genus ‘Vaccinium’ are also permanent crops Includes flower crops such as: Agrinomy Autumn Hawk-bit Betony Bladder Campion Bluebell Bulbous Buttercup Cats Ear Clustered Bellflower Coltsfoot Common Daisy Common Mallow Common Sorrel Cowslip Creeping Buttercup Dandelion Devils-bit Scabious Drop wort Field Scabious Garlic Mustard Great Burnet Greater Hawk-bit Greater Knapweed Greater Mullein Heartsease Hedge Woundwort Hoary Plantain Kidney Vetch Lady’s Bed Straw Lawn Chamomile Lesser Knapweed Meadow Buttercup Meadow Cranesbill Meadow Vetchling Meadowsweet Musk Mallow Nettle Leaved Bellflower Ox-Eye Daisy Purple Loosestrife Purple Toadflax Ragged Robin Red Campion Ribwort Plantain Salad Burnet Self Heal Small Scabious St. John’s Wort Vipers Bugloss Water Avens White Campion Wild Angelica Wild Garlic Wild Primrose Wood Avens Yellow Flag Iris Yellow Toad Flax
Nursery crops	NU01	Nursery crops are areas of young woody plants grown in the open air, on soil in greenhouses, or under polytunnels for later transplantation. They include: Vine and root stock nurseries Fruit tree and berry nurseries Ornamental nurseries Mixed nurseries of forest trees (except those for the holding’s own requirements grown in woodland) Nurseries of trees and bushes for planting in gardens, parks, at the road side and on embankments Nursery crops do not include Christmas trees unless they are grown in nurseries for later transplantation.
Short rotation coppice	SR01	Short rotation coppice includes areas planted with tree species that consist of woody, perennial crops, the rootstock or stools remaining in the ground after harvesting, with new shoots emerging in the following season. The initial tree planting must have been planted after the year 2000 . The eligible species for short rotation coppice are: Alder (Alnus) Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Birch (Betula) Hazel (Corylus avellana) Hornbeam (Carpinus spp) Lime (Tilia cordata) Poplar (Populus spp) Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) Willow (Salix spp)

Arable land: temporary grassland, fallow land, and arable buffer strips

Land use	Code	Description
Temporary grassland	TG01	All land you are planning to count as temporary grassland for BPS. You can include the areas of strips and margins of temporary grassland under the land use code you are using for the main land use of the parcel and they don’t need to be separately identified.

Land lying fallow

FA01

All land you are planning to count as fallow land for BPS. Wild bird mixes can be coded under a number of different land use codes, as long as in your individual example matches the criteria, for example: a) as a mixed crop if there is an area where a seed mixture is sown, it doesn’t matter what crops are included in the mix. b) as fallow land when it is land which has no crop production or grazing on it, but is maintained in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation. These must be an un-harvestable mix of at least 2 crops that support wildlife and pollinators (advisers from the ‘Championing the Farmed Environment’ can help farmers choose). Wild-bird seed mixes should be an area with a balanced combination of small-seed bearing crops, for example Barley, Triticale, Kale, Quinoa, Linseed, Millet, Mustard, Fodder radish, Sunflower. This will benefit over-wintering birds. Pollen sources and nectar sources should be in an area with a mixture of nectar-rich plants, for example Red clover, Alsike clover, Bird’s foot trefoil, Sainfoin, Musk mallow or Common knapweed. This will benefit nectar feeding insects like butterflies and bumble bees.

Arable land: arable crops

Land use	Genus	Species	Code	Description
Aster (Chinese)	Callistephus	-	AC97	-
Aubergine-type arable crop	Solanaceae	Solanum melongena	AC46	Includes Aubergine and Eggplant
Banana squash- type arable crop	Cucurbitacae	Cucurbita maxim	AC53	Includes Banana squash and Buttercup squash
Barley (spring)- type arable crop	Hordeum	Spring variety	AC01	Includes Feed barley, Malting barley, Two row barley, Six row barley
Barley (winter)- type arable crop	Hordeum	Winter variety	AC63	Includes Feed barley, Malting barley, Two row barley, Six row barley
Basil-type arable crop	Ocimum	-	AC02	Includes all Basils
Beet-type arable crop	Beta	-	AC03	Includes Beetroot, Chard, Field beet, Fodder beet, Mangolds, Redbeet, Sugar beet
Borage-type arable crop	Borago	-	AC04	Includes Borage
Brown mustard- type arable crop	Brassicaceae	Sinapsis alba	AC37	Includes Brown mustard; Use AC38 for White or Yellow mustard
Buckwheat-type arable crop	Fagopyrum	-	AC05	Includes Buckwheat
Butternut squash-type arable crop	Cucurbitacae	Cucurbita moschata	AC54	Includes Butternut squash, Cheese pumpkin
Cabbage (spring)-type arable crop	Brassicaceae	Brassica oleracea - spring variety	AC34	Includes Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Calabrese, Cauliflower, Chinese kale, Kale, Kohlrabi, Red cabbage, Savoy cabbage, White cabbage
Cabbage (winter)-type arable crop	Brassicaceae	Brassica oleracea - winter variety	AC70	Includes Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Calabrese, Cauliflower, Chinese kale, Kale, Kohlrabi, Red cabbage, Savoy cabbage, White cabbage
Camelina-type arable crop	Camelina	-	AC73	Includes Camelina, gold-of-pleasure, false flax
Canary seed-type arable crop	Phalaris	-	AC06	Includes Canary seed
Carrot-type arable crop	Daucus	-	AC07	Includes Carrot
Celery-type arable crop	Apium	-	AC08	Includes Celeriac, Celery
Chicory-type arable crop	Chichorium	-	AC09	Includes Chicory, Endive, Italian chicory, Radiccio
Chilli-type arable crop	Solanaceae	Capsicum baccatum	AC48	Includes chilli peppers
Coriander-type arable crop	Coriandrum	-	AC71	Includes Coriander
Corn chamomile- type arable crop	Anthemis arvensis	-	AC77	Includes Corn chamomile
Corn cockle-type arable crop	Agrostemma	-	AC78	Includes Corn cockle
Corn flower-type arable crop	Centaurea	-	AC79	Includes Corn flower
Corn gromwell- type arable crop	Buglossoides (also known as Lithospermum)	-	AC72	Includes Corn gromwell
Corn marigold- type arable crop	-	-	AC80	Includes Corn marigold
Crambe-type arable crop	Brassicaceae	Crambe maritima	AC39	Includes Crambe, Seakale
Cress-type arable crop (excluding Watercress)	Brassicaceae	Lepidium sativu	AC89	Includes Garden Cress. Use CW01 for Watercress
Cucumber-type arable crop	Cucurbitacae	Cucumis sativus	AC56	Includes Cucumber
Daffodil-type arable crop	Narcissus	-	AC10	Includes all daffodils
Dill-type arable crop	Anethum	-	AC11	Includes Dill
Echium	Boraginacae	-	AC91	-
Evening primrose-type arable crop	Oenothera	-	AC12	Includes Evening primrose
Fennel-type arable crop	Foeniculum	-	AC13	Includes Fennel
Field forget-me- not-type arable crop	Myosotis	-	AC82	Includes Forget-me-not
Fox-glove-type arable crop	Digitalis	-	AC83	Includes Fox-glove
German chamomile-type arable crop	Matricaria	-	AC76	Includes Chamomile, German Chamomile, Hungarian Chamomile, Kamilla, Wild Chamomile, Scentless Mayweed
Gladioli	Glasiolus	-	AC90	-
Hay rattle-type arable crop	Rhinanthus	-	AC84	Includes Hay-rattle
Hedge bedstraw- type arable crop	Galium	-	AC85	Includes Hedge bedstraw
Hemp-type arable crop	Cannabis	-	AC14	Includes Hemp
Horseradish-type arable crop	Brassicaceae	Armoracia rusticana	AC42	Includes Horseradish (Cochlearia armoracia)
Japanese pie squash-type arable crop	Cucurbitaceae	Cucurbita argyrosperma	AC51	Includes Japanese pie squash
Larkspur	Consolida	-	AC98	-
Lettuce-type arable crop	Lactuca	-	AC15	Includes Butterhead lettuce, Cos lettuce, Iceberg lettuce, Lettuce, Romaine lettuce
Linseed (spring)- type arable crop	Linum	Spring variety	AC16	Includes Flax, Linseed
Linseed (winter)- type arable crop	Linum	Winter variety	AC64	Includes Flax, Linseed
Maize-type arable crop	Zea	-	AC17	Includes Corn, Maize, Sweetcorn
Melon-type arable crop	Cucurbitacae	Cucumis melo	AC57	Includes Melons other than Water melon
Millet-type arable crop	Echinochloa	-	AC18	Includes Millet
Mixed arable crop - group 1	Variable	Variable	AC58	Mixed arable crop - you can mark up to 5 different mixed crops on your land as different crops.
Mixed crop - group 2	Variable	Variable	AC59	description as crop group 1
Mixed crop - group 3	Variable	Variable	AC60	description as crop group 1
Mixed crop - group 4	Variable	Variable	AC61	description as crop group 1
Mixed crop - group 5	Variable	Variable	AC62	description as crop group 1
Mustard-type arable crop	Brassicaceae	Sinapsis alba	AC38	Includes White or Yellow mustard; use AC37 for Brown mustard
Nigella	Nigella	-	AC99	-
Oats (spring)- type arable crop	Avena	Spring variety	AC19	Includes Feed oats, Naked oats, Porridge oats, Quaking oats
Oats (winter)- type arable crop	Avena	Winter variety	AC65	Includes Feed oats, Naked oats, Porridge oats, Quaking oats
Oca-type arable crop	Oxalis	-	AC75	Includes Oca, New Zealand Yam
Oilseed (spring)- type arable crop	Brassicaceae	Brassica napus (spring variety)	AC36	Includes Industrial rape, Oilseed rape, Swede
Oilseed (winter)- type arable crop	Brassicaceae	Brassica napus (winter variety)	AC67	Includes Industrial rape, Oilseed rape, Swede
Onion-type arable crop	Ilium	-	AC20	Includes Chives, Garlic, Onions, Leeks, Scallions, Shallot, Spring Onions
Oregano-type arable crop	Origanum	-	AC21	Includes Oregano, Marjoram
Parsley-type arable crop	Petroselinum	-	AC22	Includes All Parsleys
Parsnip-type arable crop	Pastinaca	-	AC23	Includes Parsnips
Pepper-type arable crop	Solanaceae	Capsicum annuum	AC47	Includes Bell pepper, Chilli pepper
Phacelia-type arable crop	Phacelia	-	AC74	Includes Phacelia
Poppy-type arable crop	Papaver	-	AC81	Includes Poppy and Corn poppy
Potato-type arable crop	Solanaceae	Solanum tuberosum	AC44	Includes Early potato, Maincrop potato, Seed potato; use AC28 for Sweet potato
Quinoa-type arable crop	Chenopodium quinoa	-	AC87	Includes Quinoa
Radish-type arable crop	Brassicaceae	Raphanus sativus	AC41	Includes Radish
Rocket-type arable crop	Brassicaceae	Eruca sativa	AC40	Includes Rocket
Rye (spring)-type arable crop	Secale	Spring variety	AC24	Includes Rye (spring)
Rye (winter)-type arable crop	Secale	Winter variety	AC68	Includes Rye (winter)
Rygrass (Italian) (Solanum sisymbriifolium)	Lolium	-	AC100	-
Sage-type arable crop	Salvia	-	AC25	Includes Clary sage, Sages
Siam pumpkin- type arable crop	Cucurbitacae	Cucurbita ficifolia	AC52	Includes Siam pumpkin, Seven year melon
Sorghum	Sorghum	-	AC92	-
Spelt Wheat	Triticum Spelta	-	AC96	If you are applying online use Samphire AC96.
Spinach-type arable crop	Spinacia	-	AC26	Includes Spinach
Squash-type arable crop	Cucurbitacae	Cucurbita pepo	AC50	Includes Pumpkins, Squashes, Marrows, Zucchini, Courgettes
Strawberry-type arable crop	Fragaria	-	AC27	Includes Strawberry
Sticky Nightshade (Solanum sisymbriifolium)	Solanum	-	AC93	-
Sunflower-type arable crop	Halianthus	-	AC88	Includes Sunflower
Sweet potato- type arable crop	Ipomoea	-	AC28	Includes Sweet potato; use AC44 for Potato
Sweet William	Dianthus	-	AC94	-
Teasel-type arable crop	Dipsacus	-	AC86	Includes Teasel
Thyme-type arable crop	Thymus	-	AC29	Includes all thymes
Tobacco-type arable crop	Solanaceae	Nicotiana tabacum	AC43	Includes Tobacco
Tomato-type arable crop	Solanaceae	Solanum lycopersicum	AC45	Includes Tomato
Tree chilli-type arable crop	Solanaceae	Capsicum pubescens	AC49	Includes Tree chilli
Triticale (spring)- type arable crop	-	Spring variety	AC30	Includes Triticale (spring)
Triticale (winter)- type arable crop	-	Winter variety	AC69	Includes Triticale (winter)
Tulip-type arable crop	Tulipa	-	AC31	Includes all tulips
Turnip-type arable crop	Brassicaceae	Brassica rapa	AC35	Includes Bok choi, Chinese cabbage (Pak choi), Turnip, Turnip rape
Wallflower	Erysimum	-	AC95	-
Water melon- type arable crop	Cucurbitacae	Citrullus lanatus	AC55	Includes Water melon
Watercress – arable crop under water	Brassicaceae	Nasturtium officinale	CW01	Includes Watercress
Wheat (spring)- type arable crop	Triticum	Spring variety	AC32	Includes Biscuit wheat, Common or Bread wheat, Durum wheat, Einkorn, Feed wheat, Red wheat
Wheat (winter) - type arable crop	Triticum	Winter variety	AC66	Includes Biscuit wheat, Common or Bread wheat, Durum wheat, Einkorn, Feed wheat, Red wheat
Yam-type arable crop	Dioscorea	-	AC33	Includes Yam

Arable land: leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops

Land use	Genus	Species	Code	Description
Bird’s foot trefoil-type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	Lotus	-	LG10	Includes Bird’s foot trefoil
Chickpea-type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	Cicer	-	LG01	Includes Chickpea.
Clover-type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	Trifolium	-	LG14	Includes clovers and some trefoil.
Cowpea-type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	Vigna	-	LG09	Includes Black eye peas, Cowpeas.
Fenugreek-type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	Trigonella	-	LG02	Includes Fenugreek.
Field beans (spring)-type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	Vicia	Spring variety	LG03	Includes Broad beans, Field beans, Vetch.
Field beans (winter)-type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	Vicia	Winter variety	LG20	Includes Broad beans, Field beans, Vetch.
Green beans-type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	Phaseolus	-	LG04	Includes French beans, Green beans, Haricot beans, Runner beans.
Lentil-type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	Lens	-	LG05	Includes Lentils.
Lucerne-type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	Medicago	-	LG11	Includes Lucerne (Alfalfa), Black medic .
Lupin-type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	Lupinus	-	LG06	Includes Lupin..
Mixed crop Predominant	Variable	Variable	LG15	Mixed crop, the leguminous crops are predominant. You can mark up to 5 different mixed crops made up of a legumes predominant mix on your land. Please note, these land use codes will show as ‘leguminous only’ on the online system.
Mixed crop Predominant	Variable	Variable	LG16	description as Mixed crop Predominant
Mixed crop Predominant	Variable	Variable	LG17	description as Mixed crop Predominant
Mixed crop Predominant	Variable	Variable	LG18	description as Mixed crop Predominant
Mixed crop Predominant	Variable	Variable	LG19	description as Mixed crop Predominant
Pea (spring)- type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	Pisum	Spring variety	LG07	Includes Feed pea, Mange tout, Marrow fat pea, Snap pea, Snow pea, Vining pea.
Pea (winter)- type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	Pisum	Winter variety	LG21	Includes Feed pea, Mange tout, Marrow fat pea, Snap pea, Snow pea, Vining pea.
Sainfoin-type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	-	-	LG13	Includes sainfoin.
Soya-type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	Glycine	-	LG08	Includes Soya bean, Soybean.
Sweet clover-type leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crop	Melilotus	-	LG12	Includes sweet clover.

Dual use

If you are in a ‘dual use’ situation with another BPS applicant – the other applicant has the land at their disposal for BPS and you have the same area of land under your management control for an agri-environment or woodland scheme agreement - you must agree the land-use code for the land parcel with the other claimant to make sure it is compatible with both BPS and CS / ES agreements. Once this is agreed, the land-use code should not be changed unless you both agree with the change.

Then, you need to do one of the following if you are:

• Claiming BPS on the land parcel: claim on the land parcel. The person who is not claiming BPS on the land parcel, but applying for BPS on other land, should make sure that they do not activate the land parcel for payment. If they apply online, use the ‘activate less BPS area’ screen to show the ‘eligible area’ as 0.0000. If they apply on paper, declare the area in column C8 as 0.00ha.

• Claiming Countryside Stewardship or Environmental Stewardship and someone else is claiming BPS on the same area: if you are claiming BPS on other land parcels and applying online, use the ‘activate less BPS area’ screen so you do not activate the land parcel for payment on your BPS application. Or, if you are applying on paper, declare the area in column C8 as 0.00ha.

Agricultural land under agri-environment schemes

If you have agricultural land which is under your management control for a Countryside Stewardship or Environmental Stewardship agreement, and at your disposal for BPS, use the appropriate codes to tell us about this land.

If you have agricultural land which is under your management control for a Countryside Stewardship or Environmental Stewardship agreement and is not at your disposal for BPS, read the information above about ‘Dual use’.

Non-agricultural land

Non-agricultural areas and features on otherwise eligible land

You can tell us about non-agricultural areas and features on agricultural land using land use codes.

You also need to tell us about these features on any non-agricultural land you have that is eligible for BPS – read the ‘Non-agricultural land under certain agri-environment or woodland scheme agreements’ below for more information.

Declare BPS permanent non-agricultural areas or features using the land use codes below.

If you haven’t already told us about any permanent non-agricultural areas or features, fill in an RLE1 form and send it to us together with a sketch map. If you’ve already told us, but we haven’t mapped it yet – you don’t have to tell us again. If you are in any doubt about the permanence of a feature, you are advised to fill in an RLE1 form and send it to us together with a sketch map.

Land use	Code	Description
Non-agricultural area or feature which is temporary and likely to change over time (ineligible area)	NA02	An area of land which is normally agricultural but the intensity, nature, duration, and timing of non-agricultural activity significantly interferes with agricultural activity. Examples: - an area which is taken out of agricultural use due to temporary utility or transport works but will later revert to land that is used primarily for agricultural activity. - Compost or muck heaps that are in place for less than 3 years and not stored in the land parcel on which they are to be used, or the amount stored is not appropriate for that land parcel. Heaps that are in the same place for 3 years or more should always be treated as permanent non-agricultural features. - An area used for turf production for fuel for less than 3 years. Areas used for turf production for fuel for 3 years or more should always be treated as permanent non-agricultural features. - Machinery (on grass or bare soil) if it has been stored in the same place for more than a year but less than 3 years. Machinery stored for 3 years or more should always be treated as a permanent non-agricultural feature. - An area used for peat production for less than 3 years. Areas used for peat production for 3 years or more should always be treated as permanent non-agricultural features. - an area in which the non-agricultural activities referred to in the BPS: scheme rules for 2023 occur on the land for more than 28 days in the calendar year.
Airstrip/airports	MT05	Airstrip – a stretch of land which has been cleared so that light aircraft can take off and land. The area is defined by the edges of the landing strip. Grass air strips which are only used for part of the year on land which is normally agricultural should be declared as agricultural land. Airport – an area of land where aircraft land and take off and which provides facilities for handling passengers, air freight and servicing aircraft.
Non-utilised Bank	PL01	This code should only be used for banks which are inaccessible or not protected under cross compliance. A bank is a raised linear feature that is artificially constructed and predominantly made up of earth. A bank can have a vegetated, bare earth or stone surface.
Bog	IW07	An area of land that is normally waterlogged throughout the year and consists of spongy moss and peat. Bogs most often occur in low lying flat areas with poor drainage, and in upland areas of high rainfall.
Boulders	RO03	An area of large, rounded rocks that are weathered or water-worn and have a diameter that is greater than 0.2 metres.
Bracken, heather and heathland	HE02	Bracken - this code should only be used for an area of bracken which is not kept in a state suitable for grazing or is in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage are not predominant. Grazeable bracken in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage remain predominant should be coded as permanent grassland. Bracken is an area covered predominantly by a type of fern (Pteridium aquilinum) found together with other species in heathland or hill sides. See also ‘Scattered bracken or heather’. Heather - this code should only be used for an area of heather which is not kept in a state suitable for grazing. Grazeable heather should be coded as permanent grassland. Heather is an area covered predominantly by common heather and various species of the Cassiope or Erica genus. See also ‘Scattered bracken or heather’.
Cliff	CF01	A feature representing a steep rock face, most commonly occurring where the land meets the sea. Cliffs may be semi-natural, in the case of disused mineral workings, or manmade in the case of rock faces resulting from construction activity.
Farm building	AB01	A building used for livestock husbandry, cultivation or the storage of crops, feed and machinery, and associated residences, i.e. farmhouses.
Farmyard	AB09	The open ground, generally of hard standing or compacted earth, surrounding farm buildings.
Fen, marsh and swamp	IW06	An area of low and flat waterlogged land.
Gallop	NT01	A track with a grass or manmade surface that is used for horses to gallop on when being trained for horse racing. Grass gallops can exceptionally be considered part of the agricultural area of a land parcel but only if the applicant can prove that the non-agricultural activity does not significantly interfere with agricultural activity.
General Utility	UT06	A type of permanent infrastructure on land that is not covered by other utility classifications. Examples include water tanks and butts.
Glasshouse, including polytunnels	AB06	This code should be used for glasshouses on a hard standing. For BPS, also use this code if the glasshouse is being used to grow ineligible crops. A horticultural building constructed largely of glass, which is on a hard standing or used to grow ineligible crops. The area of a glasshouse that is on a natural surface and is being used to grow eligible crops should be declared using the land use of the eligible crops.
Golf course	RL04	Bunkers, greens, fairways and areas of rough that are part of the playing course. Includes putting greens and driving ranges. Golf courses can exceptionally be considered part of the agricultural area of a land parcel but only if the applicant can prove that the non-agricultural activity does not significantly interfere with agricultural activity.
Hard standing	HS01	A manmade, open ground surface built using aggregate, concrete-type construction materials.
Heap	HE03	A permanent pile of farm produce or refuse, for example straw, manure, compost, hay or silage. A heap is permanent if it has been kept at the same location for 3 years or more.
Intertidal habitats	MW04	An area of sand or mud uncovered at low tide.
Mineral extraction site	MS04	A site used for mineral extraction. Includes both currently operational and disused sites.
Peat production	CM01	This code should only be used for an area of land which is permanently used for peat production. An area of land is permanently used for peat production if the production has taken (or will take) place for 3 years or more. Peat production is an area of land used for peat extraction.
Pond	WF03	An area of fresh water, often artificially constructed, which is smaller than a lake. Includes artificially created scrapes which are winter feeding areas for wading birds.
Railway	MT04	Steel bar or continuous line of bars laid on the ground, usually forming a track used for the movement of trains.
Reed bed	MW03	This code should only be used for reed beds which are not kept in a state suitable for grazing or are in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage are not predominant. Grazeable reed beds in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage remain predominant should be coded as permanent grassland. A reed bed is an area of tall, stiff marsh or water grass of various kinds.
Residential dwelling, house	NR01	Residential dwellings, including domestic outbuildings.
Residential garden	WO17	A garden making up part of a residential dwelling.
Road	MT03	A metalled or surfaced way that is clearly marked, permanent and forms part of a wider road network with, for example, road markings, road names or road numbers.
Rocky outcrop	RO04	A protrusion of rocks above the ground in a conspicuous form.
Sand dunes	CF03	An area of sand dunes (ridges of sand created by the wind).
Saline habitats	MW05	A coastal area with a sodium chloride content of at least 0.5%.
Salt marsh	MW01	This code should only be used for salt marshes which are not kept in a state suitable for grazing or are in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage are not predominant. Grazeable salt marsh in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage remain predominant should be coded as permanent grassland. Salt marsh is an area of coastal grassland which is frequently inundated by the sea.
Scattered bracken or heather	NF02	Scattered bracken - areas of bracken which are scattered in a land parcel, are not kept in a state suitable for grazing or are in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage are not predominant. Scattered bracken which is grazeable and in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage remain predominant should be coded as permanent grassland. Scattered heather - areas of heather which are scattered in a land parcel and are not kept in a state suitable for grazing. Scattered heather which is grazeable should be coded as permanent grassland. This code should be used only for scattered features within a land parcel which are too small to map individually but which – when added together - have a combined area of 0.01 ha or greater. Scattered features are also referred to as ‘notional features’.
Scattered features - mixed	NF08	This code can be used for a combination of more than one type of the scattered features described in this table. This code should only be used only for scattered features within a land parcel which are too small to map individually but which – when added together - have a combined area of 0.01 ha or greater. Scattered features are also referred to as ‘notional features’.
Scattered manmade features	NF07	Any manmade features which are scattered in a land parcel. This code should be used only for scattered features within a land parcel which are too small to map individually but which – when added together – have a combined area of 0.01 ha or greater. Scattered features are also referred to as notional features.
Scattered natural features	NF06	Natural features that are scattered in a land parcel, are not kept in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation, are not protected under cross compliance, and are not included under any other land use codes. This code should only be used only for scattered features within a land parcel which are too small to map individually but which – when added together - have a combined area of 0.01 ha or greater. Scattered features are also referred to as ‘notional features’.
Scattered rock	NF01	Any naturally occurring scattered elements of a rocky nature. Includes small outcrops, areas of shingle or scree, small boulders, etc. This code should only be used only for scattered features within a land parcel which are too small to map individually but which – when added together - have a combined area of 0.01 ha or greater. Scattered features are also referred to as ‘notional features’.
Scattered scrub	NF03	This code should only be used for patches of scrub which are scattered in a land parcel and are not kept in a state suitable for grazing or are in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage are not predominant. Includes patches of scrub which are too dense to be grazed. Scattered scrub which is grazeable and in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage remain predominant should be coded as permanent grassland. This code should only be used only for scattered features within a land parcel which are too small to map individually but which – when added together - have a combined area of 0.01 ha or greater. Scattered features are also referred to as ‘notional features’.
Scattered water features	NF05	Any naturally occurring scattered elements of a watery nature. Includes small ponds, springs, etc. This code should only be used only for scattered features within a land parcel which are too small to map individually but which – when added together - have a combined area of 0.01 ha or greater. Scattered features are also referred to as ‘notional features’.
Scree	RO02	A mass of loose stones on the side of a steep rock face.
Scrub	WO25	This code should only be used for scrub which is not kept in a state suitable for grazing or is in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage are not predominant. Includes scrub which is too dense to be grazed. Grazeable scrub in an area where grasses and other herbaceous forage remain predominant should be coded as permanent grassland. Scrub is an area of shrubs and bushes, including Rhododendrons, Gorse, Briar and Broom. See also ‘Scattered scrub’.
Shingle	IW05	An area of small, rounded pebbles.
Stone wall	BB01	This code should only be used for stone walls which are not protected under cross compliance. Stone walls protected under cross compliance should be coded using the land use code for the main land use of the parcel. A stone wall is a wall structure built with stones, traditionally with loose field stones and mortar.
Solar panels	UT01	An area taken up by solar panels and solar panel arrays. Land parcels which contain solar panels are ineligible for BPS. If the panels are concentrated in one end of a field, the rest of the land can be eligible if the 2 areas are registered as individual land parcels and separated by a permanent boundary.
Sports and recreation	RL03	An area of land used for permanent sports and recreational activities.
Storage area	SA02	An area of bare earth that is used for storage purposes. Includes storage of farm-related machinery, hay bales, etc.
Structure	ST05	A manmade structure that is not described under any other land use code. Examples include animal shelters or polytunnels on a hard standing.
Tidal areas	MW02	Tidal areas other than salt marshes.
Track - natural surface	NT03	This code should only be used for a natural, unsurfaced track or path which is not used as part of the agricultural activity carried out on the land parcel or is part of a transport network entering and exiting the land parcel. Natural paths and tracks which are used as part of the agricultural activity carried out on the land parcel and are not part of a transport network entering and exiting the land parcel should be coded using the land use code for the main land use of the parcel.
Manmade track (Metalled)	MT01	A metalled or surfaced way that is clearly marked and permanent. Includes any manmade surface, such as areas of asphalt, concrete and gravel.
Turf production	CM02	This code should only be used for a site which is permanently used for the production of turf for fuel. A site is permanently used for the production of turf for fuel if the production has taken (or will take) place for 3 years or more. Turf for later replanting will be considered part of the agricultural area of the land parcel and should be coded as either permanent grassland or temporary grassland. Turf production is a site used for the production of turf, a surface layer of earth containing a dense growth of grass and its roots.
Vegetated shingle	CF02	An area of water-worn pebbles which supports growth of vegetation.
Watercourse - ditch, drain or dyke	WF01	This code should only be used for a drain, ditch or dyke which is inside the land parcel and is not part of the parcel boundary. A drain, ditch or dyke is an artificial channel used to carry excess water from low-lying areas.
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 2)	IW02	This code should only be used for a river or stream which: - is inside the land parcel and is not part of the parcel boundary. - is less than 4 metres wide over the majority of its length. A river or stream is a body of water flowing in a definite channel towards the sea, a lake or into another river.
Watercourse - river or stream (Rivers and Streams Type 3)	IW03	This code should only be used for a river or stream which: - is inside the land parcel and is not part of the parcel boundary - is greater than, or equal to, 4 metres wide over the majority of its length A river or stream is a body of water flowing in a definite channel towards the sea, a lake or into another river.
Water treatment works	UT07	A site where water is treated and supplied.
Woodland	WO12	An area of woodland preventing agricultural activity. Includes areas where the density of the trees prevents the growth of vegetative under-storey needed to support agricultural activity. Use this code for newly planted woodland that does not meet the BPS eligibility rules.

Non-agricultural land under certain agri-environment or woodland scheme agreements

Non-agricultural land used with entitlements to claim for SPS in 2008 and currently in certain options under an Rural Development Programme agreement, Countryside Stewardship agreement or the National Forest Changing Landscapes Scheme, the Woodland Carbon Fund or the HS2 Woodland Fund can still be eligible for BPS. Refer to the BPS: scheme rules for 2023 for further information.

For details on how to claim BPS on these land areas and the appropriate land use codes to use on your BPS application you should also read the Guidance on agri-environment agreements (CS and ES). For BPS or for woodland schemes, you should read Forestry Commission guidance ON42. The guidance will also provide details about the appropriate land cover for these areas and tell you if you need to submit an RLE1 and sketch map to change the land cover.

Other non-agricultural land under these schemes that was not used with entitlements to claim for SPS in 2008 is not eligible for BPS. However, if you apply for BPS, you still need to enter it on your application using the appropriate non-agricultural land use code as cross compliance applies to this land

Code	Land use
RD01	Non-agricultural land, for example woodland creation maintenance, that was used with entitlements to claim for SPS in 2008 and is at your disposal, remains eligible for BPS because it is under a suitable agri-environment or woodland agreement, including the National Forest Changing Landscape Scheme, the Woodland Carbon Fund or the HS2 Woodland Fund.

Codes you must not use

There are some land use codes which appear in the Rural Payments service which you should not use in your BPS application.

The table below shows which codes not to use, and which to use instead.

Code	What code to use instead
AB03 - Animal shelter on bare soil	You don’t need to declare it as a separate ‘land use’ with its own land use code. Instead, include its area within the main land use of the parcel it is in.
AS01 – Archaeological site	Use the code which best describes the land which the archaeological site is on.
BF01 - Stone wall protected under cross compliance	You don’t need to declare it as a separate ‘land use’ with its own land use code. Instead, include its area within the main land use of the parcel it is in.
BF02 - Hedge protected under cross compliance	You don’t need to declare it as a separate ‘land use’ with its own land use code. Instead, include its area within the main land use of the parcel it is in.
BF08 - Bank	You don’t need to declare it as a separate ‘land use’ with its own land use code. Instead, include its area within the main land use of the parcel it is in.
BF16 - Fence	You don’t need to declare it as a separate ‘land use’ with its own land use code. Instead, include its area within the main land use of the parcel it is in.
BF11 - Half Hedge	Greening code no longer in use
BF12 - Adjacent hedge	Greening code no longer in use
BF15 - Buffer strip	Greening code no longer in use
CA01 - Catch Crop	Greening code no longer in use
CA02 - Cover Crop	Greening code no longer in use
ES01 - Real estate services	This code does not relate to land and is for RPA use only.
IW01 - Rivers and streams less than 4 metres in width and forming part of a boundary (type 1)	You don’t need to declare it as a separate ‘land use’ with its own land use code. Instead, include its area within the main land use of the parcel it is in.
IW11 - Drain/Ditch/Dyke less than 4 metres in width and forming part of a boundary	You don’t need to declare it as a separate ‘land use’ with its own land use code. Instead, include its area within the main land use of the parcel it is in.
NF04 - Scattered trees	If the area with scattered trees in is eligible, you don’t need to declare it as a separate ‘land use’ with its own land use code. Instead, include its area within the main land use of the parcel it is in. If the area with scattered trees in is ineligible, use the code ‘WO12 – Ineligible woodland’.
PL02	If the area is eligible, use one of the following: FA01 – Fallow PG01 - Permanent Grassland If the area is ineligible, use the relevant code from the ‘Ineligible areas and features on otherwise eligible land’ list above.

Codes for Countryside Stewardship options with multiple crops

Countryside Stewardship option	Description	Code(s) to use for BPS
AB1	Nectar flower mix	Record as per rest of field cropping
AB3	Beetle banks	Record as per rest of field cropping
AB4	Skylark plots	Record as per rest of field cropping
AB5	Nesting plots for lapwing and stone curlew	FA01
AB6	Enhanced overwinter stubble	FA01
AB8	Flower rich margins and plots	Record as per rest of field cropping
AB9	Winter bird food	AC58 to AC62 or FA01
AB11	Cultivated areas for arable plants	FA01
AB15	Two year sown legume fallow	TG01 for years not in arable cropping
AB16	Autumn sown bumblebird mix	AC58 to AC62 in the years when the mix is established
WD3	Woodland edges on arable land	Record as per rest of field cropping
HS2	Take historic and archaeological features out of cultivation	TG01 and then PG01 after 5 years
SW1	4 to 6 metre buffer strip on cultivated land	Record as per rest of field cropping
OP2	Organic wild bird seed mixture	AC58 to AC62
SW3	In-field grass strips	Record as per rest of field cropping
SW4	12 to 24 metre watercourse buffer strips on cultivated land	Record as per rest of cropping
SW6	Winter cover crops	As per the rest of the field cropping during the period 1 May to 30 June
WT2	Buffering in-field ponds and ditches on arable land	Record as per rest of cropping

Published 11 January 2023