What the action involves
The aim of this supplemental action is to control rhododendron by removing it or stopping it from spreading or re-establishing.
The purpose is to maintain or restore biodiversity value and protect archaeological sites.
What you must do
Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer 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:
- control rhododendron to an agreed level of cover which may include removing cut material
- control and remove any re-established rhododendron
- include a map showing the extent of rhododendron with your application
You must not carry out chemical control of rhododendron in areas identified by your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.
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:
- consents, permissions and invoices connected with this work
- records of management activity on the action area for each parcel, including an operational site assessment (or similar) to show your operations are compliant with the UK Forestry Standard
Where you can do it
You can only do this supplemental action on land with a suitable base action approved by your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer.
You should use this supplemental action after either:
- using capital item: SB6: Rhododendron control
- carrying out initial rhododendron control work at your own expense
Your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will agree with you what other supplemental actions may be needed to meet the intended environmental outcomes. This could include:
- CCT6: Coastal vegetation management supplement
- CSP1: Difficult site supplement
- CSP2: Rewetting supplement
- CSP3: Bracken control supplement
- CSP5: Shepherding supplement (non-moorland)
- CSP6: Cattle grazing supplement (non-moorland)
- CSP7: Introduction of cattle grazing on the Isles of Scilly supplement
- CSP9: Support for threatened species
- CWS2: Manage and restore plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) supplement
- CWS5: Improve woodland resilience supplement
- CWS8: Manage native woodland including ancient semi-natural woodlands (ASNW) supplement
- CWS9: Manage woodlands for flood and drought mitigation supplement
Eligible land
Same as base action.
Available area
Same or less than the base action.
Rotational or static
Same as base action.
Consents and permissions
To apply for this supplemental action, you’ll need:
- a woodland management plan approved by your Forestry Commission woodland officer (for woodland management)
- Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England for any work on scheduled monuments
- consent from Natural England for any activity on land designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
You may need:
- advice from Historic England for grade 1 or grade 2 historic parks
- advice from the Gardens Trust for registered parks below grade 2
- advice from your Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland manager if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
- to get a wildlife licence from Natural England if your activities affect a protected species or their habitat
All archaeological and historic features (including scheduled monuments) are identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).
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 funding through 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.
