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).
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.
Agricultural land
Land use codes for agricultural land are given below for:
- permanent grassland and permanent grassland buffer strips
- permanent crops
- arable land: temporary grassland, fallow land, and arable buffer strips
- arable land: arable crops
- arable land: leguminous and nitrogen-fixing crops
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 |