What the action involves
The aim is to change land use from arable or permanent cropping to permanent undisturbed grassland to prevent cultivation damaging historic and archaeological features. Throughout the year, there should be a continuous grass or flower mixture growing over the historic and archaeological feature and minimal scrub and bracken growth.
The purpose of this is to:
- prevent the damage of below ground or above ground historic and archaeological features
- reduce diffuse pollution
- reduce soil erosion
- maintain landscape character
- improve carbon storage
What you must do
Your Natural England or Historic England adviser will assess your land. They’ll work with you to adapt and agree the activities you must do to achieve this action’s aim. All mandatory activities will be set out in your agreement document.
To get paid for this action, you must:
- establish a grass/flower mixture by shallow minimum till (‘min till’) cultivation or re-seed temporary grassland by slot seeding – agree a method with your Natural England adviser
- once the mix is established, maintain it in a way that can reasonably be expected to achieve this action’s aim
You must not:
- plough on earthworks when establishing grass or flower mixtures
- harrow or roll
- supplementary feed on or within 6m of the historic or archaeological feature
- allow scrub or bracken growth to establish on the area of this action
- carry out drainage works, including modifying existing drainage, without written permission from Natural England
- locate vehicle or stock access routes within around 6m of the historic or archaeological feature (existing surfaced tracks can be used)
When to do it
You must do this action each year of its duration.
Evidence to keep
You must keep evidence to show what you have done to complete this action. If it’s not clear that you have done this action in a way that could reasonably be expected to achieve its aim, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) may ask for this evidence.
You must supply the evidence if they ask for it, including:
- field operations at the parcel level
- associated invoices
Where you can do it
You can do this action on eligible land that:
- is identified as containing an historic or archaeological feature on your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER)
- contains a historic or archaeological feature identified by you and agreed with a Natural England adviser
Eligible land
You can do this action on land that’s:
- an eligible land type
- registered with an eligible land cover on your digital maps
- declared with a land use code which is compatible with the eligible land cover
Available area
Total or part of the available area in the land parcel.
Rotational or static
This action is static. This means you must do it on the same location each year of the action’s duration.
Consents and permissions
To apply for this action, you’ll need consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).
You may need to:
- agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
- get Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
- get advice from your Natural England adviser, Forestry Commission woodland officer, Historic England adviser or local authority adviser if you have other historic or archaeological features on your agreement land
- obtain any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) or Internal Drainage Board (IDB) before starting any work
- get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
All historic and archaeological features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).
You can manage any historic and archaeological features you identify that are not listed on your HEFER under this action (if agreed with your Natural England adviser).
If you’re a tenant, it’s your responsibility to check whether your tenancy agreement allows you to complete what’s required in the actions you choose. You may need your landlord’s consent.
Capital grants that support it
If you need to complete an implementation plan or a feasibility study before you apply, you can apply for capital grants plans funding.
You can also apply for capital items to help you achieve the action’s aims. Your Natural England adviser will discuss eligible capital items with you.
