Your Rural Development Contract is a legal document that sets out your approved Regional Priorities, the Options under these Regional Priorities and the aid that you will be entitled to claim.
What is in the Rural Development Contract?
Your contract is made up of the following parts:
1. A covering letter that gives some useful information about sending back the signing page
2. Rural Development Contract Declarations and Undertakings - please read these carefully. They will be a generic part of all Rural Development Contracts
3. Option specific Undertakings - Please also read these carefully. They will add additional Undertakings to the generic Declarations and Undertakings but relate only to particular Regional Priority Options approved
4. A schedule of work that lists annual recurrent aid (if applicable)
5. A schedule of work that lists aid for capital works (if applicable)
6. A signing page - you must return this to the Case Officer
Getting permission to start work
When you get your Rural Development Contract, sign and return only the signing page to your Case Officer. When the Case Officer receives the signing page they will send you a letter confirming receipt. You may start work when you get this confirmatory letter.
Ensure you have your consents and permissions
Before we can issue a contract you must ensure that you have all the necessary consents that are needed for any of the work. Some consents may be issued with your contract documents.
We will issue contracts that include work for which planning permission is still required, while you follow through the planning process. You may start work on other Regional Priority Options that have been approved.
Timing
We expect you to return the signing page to your Case Officer within 28 days of the date that the contract was issued. If you do not return the signing page within 28 days, we will send you a reminder letter. If you do not return the contract within six weeks of issue then we may cancel your contract.
Rejecting the contract
You are under no obligation to return the completed signing page. If you decide not to proceed, please tell us and we will cancel the Contract. The Case Officer will formally acknowledge your rejection.
Rural Development Contracts flow chart
