What the action involves
This action’s aim is to create new reedbed, fen or wetland habitat mosaic (including mires and flushes) on land that currently has low wildlife value.
The purpose is to:
- increase biodiversity, by supporting a diverse range of target species
- store carbon
- reduce flood risk
- improve water quality
- protect archaeological sites with waterlogged remains
What you must do
Your Natural 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 fen, reedbed or wetland mosaic (as set out in your feasibility study or implementation plan)
- provide suitable hydrological conditions for the target habitats
- manage the fen, reedbed or wetland mosaic to maintain clear, unpolluted water
- manage trees and scrub so they usually cover no more than 10% of the area – your adviser will agree the area of trees and scrub with you
- dispose of cut material using agreed methods
- only carry out agreed earthworks
The advice you’re given from Natural England is specific to your land which means (where relevant) you may also need to:
- control invasive non-native species
- manage vegetation in an agreed way when you’re establishing the wetland
- manage scrub and other species to agreed levels
You must not:
- apply fertilisers or manures
- apply pesticides – you may be able to use herbicides to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control of injurious weeds, invasive non-native plant species, nettles or other plants if this has been agreed with your Natural England adviser
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.
Where you can do it
You can only do this action if you have a feasibility study or implementation plan agreed with Natural England. The study or plan will tell you if your land is suitable for this action.
You can do this action on eligible land that:
- is arable land, temporary grassland, or improved grassland in a suitable location, if agreed by a Natural England adviser
- is a wetland or grassland habitat in poor condition, if agreed by a Natural England specialist
- has a suitable water supply (quality and quantity) for the target wetland habitat
- is located below the moorland line
You can only use this action above the moorland line when other CSHT moorland actions or supplements cannot achieve the intended environmental outcomes.
You must have approval from a Natural England adviser to do this. Read the advice to help you do this action for more details.
You cannot do this action:
- on reedbeds and constructed wetlands that have been created to clean the water
- if it could damage historic or archaeological features
- if it could flood someone else’s land
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:
- to agree an implementation plan or feasibility study with your Natural England adviser
- 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) or where land drainage or changing water levels affect nearby SSSIs
- to obtain the necessary consents from the Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) or Internal Drainage Board (IDB) before starting any work
You may need to:
- get advice from your Natural England adviser if you have other archaeological or historic features on your agreement land
- get a licence from Natural England if your management affects a protected species or their habitat
- apply for a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out some activities in this action
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 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.
