GovWire

How much will be paid

514 (ha)

Where to use this option

It is available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier on whole or part-parcels as long as one of the following applies:

• The parcel is arable (in the year of application), temporary grassland or improved permanent grassland (Mid Tier or Higher Tier)
• On land next to existing scrub or woodland areas (Higher Tier)
• In areas already inhabited by target species (Higher Tier)

In Mid Tier, this option must have WD9 Livestock exclusion supplement scrub and successional areas on the same area.

Where this option cannot be used

In Mid Tier on parcels with:

• historic or archaeological features
• on existing or protected sites (such as SSSIs)
• where scrub would be harmful (for example, to the landscape or existing environmental features such as wading bird habitat or on peat soils)

In Higher Tier, use of the option will be tailored to make sure it is used and sited appropriately to avoid negative impacts on existing historic, archaeological, environmental or landscape features.

This option is to create successional areas and scrub. The England Woodland Creation Offer and the Woodland Creation Planning Grant should be used to create woodland.

Features that can be included in this option

You can include the following features if they are part of the land, even if they are not eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS):

• water-bodies that are less than 4 metres (m) wide
• unsurfaced roads such as tracks, paths or bridleways

How this option will benefit the environment

It creates a successional scrub habitat, with vegetation of a wide range of heights, forms and species composition. This provides pollen and nectar sources for beneficial insects, food and habitats for birds, mammals and specific target species. Where placed next to existing woodland areas it will improve the quality of the woodland edge and better transitions between habitats.

Establishing scrub can also reduce soil erosion and nutrient loss, increase water infiltration and slow down water runoff to reduce downstream flood risk.

If successful there will be:

• more successional scrub and mosaic habitats. This could be growing close to grassland, water, woodland and other habitats, in field corners or across whole or multiple fields
• birds and invertebrates using the scrub
• less soil erosion and air pollution in and around scrub areas
• reduced flood risk downstream of scrub areas

Aims

If youre 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 make sure the environmental benefits are being delivered.

Create a scrub mosaic with tussocky, rough, uncut natural vegetation, such as grassland or heathland. Allow scrub to colonise naturally by planting native shrub species.

Over time there will be a mosaic of scrub with a variety of heights, widths, shapes and species composition across the parcels in the agreement. Injurious weeds and invasive non-native species will be controlled. Any standing and fallen deadwood will be left in place.

Prohibited activities

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

• Cut the area (except in patches to control injurious weeds and invasive non-native species)
• Apply fertilisers or manures
• Plough, cultivate or re-seed
• Harrow or roll
• Supplementary feed
• Use pesticides, except for herbicides to weed wipe or spot treat injurious weeds or invasive non-native species
• Cut down any existing trees or scrub, or remove any dead trees or scrub

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

Recommended management

To help you achieve the aims and deliver the environmental benefits for this option, we recommend that you use best practice.

We recommend that you:

• allow scrub to naturally regenerate and/or plant a variety of native shrub species
• keep livestock out of the option area for some or all of the year to encourage scrub to naturally colonise (in Mid Tier this option will always be used in combination with WD9 Livestock Exclusion Scrub and Successional Areas)
• only cut to control the spread of injurious weeds and invasive non-native species
• protect growing trees from livestock (in Higher Tier) and wild animals so that the scrub establishes
• make sure tree guards do not damage growing trees and remove them once the trees are established
• keep all mature and veteran trees and all standing deadwood, if safe to do so
• keep all fallen deadwood uncut and in place

Keeping records

On your annual claim you will be asked to declare that you havent carried out any activities prohibited by the option requirements.

You must keep the following records and supply them on request:

• field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices
• stock records to show grazing activity on parcels
• a standard soil analysis carried out in the last 5 years, including analysis of organic matter by loss on ignition. The rules for farmers and land managers to prevent water pollution already require farmers and land managers to carry out soil testing on cultivated agricultural land - you can use these test results to meet the record-keeping requirements for this option
• photographs of all trees and standing and fallen deadwood
• photographs of existing bracken
• photographs of scrub location
• photographs of the management undertaken

The detailed requirements for this option will be tailored to the Higher Tier site. You should discuss and agree these requirements with your adviser.

Related options

You can locate the following options and supplements on the same area as this option in Higher Tier and Mid Tier:

• BE3 Management of hedgerows
• SP6 Cattle grazing supplement
• WD9 - Livestock exclusion supplement - scrub and successional areas

You can locate the following options and supplements on the same area as this option in Higher Tier only:

• SP3 - Bracken control supplement
• SP4 - Control of invasive plant species supplement
• SP7 Introduction of cattle grazing on the Isles of Scilly
• SP8 Native breeds at risk supplement
• SP9 - Threatened species supplement

Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this option

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

Pick the right location

This option works best where:

• there is some open ground amongst the scrub for grasses and non-woody plants to grow
• scrub is next to other habitats such as grassland or heath
• scrub is established by woodland edges
• scrub can hold soils together and slow down surface runoff

Remove livestock

Remove grazing livestock to allow scrub plants to establish. Once established, stop scrub from becoming too dense by cutting on rotation, or by grazing.

Establish a variety of scrub

Establish a variety of scrub to provide habitats and food for target species. For example:

• gorse scrub can support birds like the Dartford warbler, stonechat, linnet and yellowhammer
• willow scrub in wetlands can support warblers, reed bunting and willow tits
• buds and berries and caterpillars on scrub are essential food sources for birds

Forestry Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

If youre planning large areas of scrub creation, you should consult th

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