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5.3.3.2.3 Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage
ACTIVE MANAGEMENT TO IMPROVE THE CONDITION OF VERNACULAR RURAL BUILDINGS, ARCHAEOLOGICAL OR HISTORIC SITES AND HISTORIC LANDSCAPES
Article 52 (b)(iii)
Measure Code (323)
Rationale for Intervention
Scotland's rich and diverse cultural heritage is a tangible and visible record of communities across Scotland, embracing extensive remains of past human activity, as well as artistic, historic and scenic associations, and diverse living cultural traditions. The Scottish Executive is committed to protecting and enhancing Scotland's cultural heritage in rural areas. The Strategic Plan identifies the need to safeguard and enhance rural landscapes, the natural heritage and the historic environment.
The cultural heritage provides an important sense of place for rural communities and is a source of enjoyment and inspiration for future generations. Scotland's culture and history, manifested through the built heritage, is one of the most important reasons why visitors come to Scotland and is, therefore, very important to Scotland's tourist industry.
Many of Scotland's historic and archaeological sites are found on land owned by private individuals and businesses. In many cases, these sites do not contribute to the income of these businesses and are not actively managed. To ensure these elements of the historic environment are preserved for future generations, it is essential to provide financial support to encourage land managers to do so.
Vernacular buildings are also an integral part of Scotland's cultural heritage and contribute to local character and distinctiveness. Their preservation and conservation benefit rural communities and businesses and add hugely to rural landscapes and Scotland's natural and cultural heritage. Support is intended to be limited to buildings pre-1940 to fall in line with the rest of the UK and to ensure that priority is directed to the buildings most deserving.
Financial support for the management of archaeological sites and vernacular rural buildings would also support other rural businesses who supply traditional building materials and encourage the revival of traditional craft skills which are also an important part of our heritage.
Objectives
This measure aims to support the preservation of the historic environment. Specific objectives are:
- To increase the number and range of sites and cultural landscapes of archaeological or historic interest that we protect and actively manage;
- To improve how we physically protect sites and cultural landscapes from harmful land management practices and land uses, address processes of natural decay, and improve their appearance and setting; and to,
- Increase the number and range of pre-1940 vernacular rural buildings that can be used, or continue to be used, to improve the safety of structures and to contribute to the preservation of landscape character. Vernacular buildings are defined here as the range of traditional (pre-1940) rural buildings, such as simple farm buildings, mills, kilns, doocots, smiddies, workshops, and other rural industrial buildings, estate buildings, walls, bridges, and designed landscape built features, that contribute to local rural character and distinctiveness.
Scope and actions
Actions under this measure will manage specified vernacular rural buildings, archaeological and historic sites or areas in a stable or improving condition. There will be 4 options. Applicants may chose more than one option, as works required will need to be determined through an assessment of individual site needs:
Option 1 (tier 2): Support for a range of low-level and non-technical works to manage specified sites or historic landscapes in a stable or improving condition. This excludes works for which scheduled monument consent is required or which would be required if a site was scheduled.
Option 2 (tier 3): Support for a range of higher-level and more technical management works than would be available under option 1 to improve the condition of specified sites or historic landscapes, and the subsequent monitoring and maintenance of the improved site.
Option 3 (tier 2): Support for the active management and repair (on a like for like basis) of rural buildings that are structurally sound but in need of small-scale repairs. Option 3 excludes works for which planning permission or building warrant is required or, in the case of listed buildings, which would normally require listed building consent.
Option 4 (tier 3): Support for a programme of specified repair and/or development works accompanied by annual maintenance programme to conserve and maintain rural buildings (excluding scheduled ancient monuments) of traditional character for the area, to make them wind and water-tight, and to ensure structural integrity.
Description of the operations covered
If scheduled monuments are being managed under this option, applicants must inform Historic Scotland (specifying name, grid reference and index number if known) before 31 August of year 1 of the agreement. This option includes support for:
1. Vegetation control through methods which do not involve ground disturbance, including control and removal of bracken, gorse / scrub / woody plants and manual control of rhododendrons. All vegetation controlled under option 1 must have a trunk diameter of less than 10 cm. If control of vegetation with a trunk diameter of greater than 10 cm is required, this should be undertaken under Option 2 (tier 3).
2. Grazing control - adjusting the level of grazing to retain adequate grass/heather cover and prevent the establishment of scrub, woody plants and trees. If grazing ceases, manual measures (see vegetation control, above) will need to be introduced to keep the grass, scrub, woody plants and self-seeded trees under control. If any new temporary or permanent fencing or gates is required to regulate grazing levels, this work should be undertaken under Option 2 (tier 3).
3. Control of Burrowing animals through a programme of work following Defra 2004 guidelines ( http://www.defra.gov.uk/rds/publications/technical/tan_01.pdf) using only those methods which do not involve ground disturbance. If ground disturbance, new fencing or rabbit proofing of existing fences is required, burrowing animal control work should be undertaken under Option 2 (tier 3).
4. Taking a cropmark site out of cultivation and sowing to grass. When establishing the sward, the ploughing depth must not exceed 100 mm.
5. Establishment of an unploughed buffer - If the monument is an isolated unploughed area in a ploughed field, to establish an unploughed buffer zone of at least 10 metres beyond the last visible feature. This unploughed buffer zone should be monitored for the duration of the agreement, with scrub regeneration controlled where required.
The precise extent and location of the area to be managed need to be annotated on a 1:10,000 map extract or a more detailed map or sketch. This should ideally be part of a whole farm audit/plan.
Prior written agreement is required from Historic Scotland for Option 2 operations on scheduled monuments. Where operations are proposed from scheduled monuments, potential beneficiaries should consult Historic Scotland at an early stage of planning. For all other categories of sites, the proposed works should be approved in writing by the local authority's archaeological advisors.
The operations are to comprise specified works (as determined by an assessment of what the site needs for its condition to be improved), paid at standard capital payment rates (or, where these do not apply, at actual cost) plus an annual management payment determined by the size of the area being managed. For one-off unique works that cannot realistically be covered by capital payments, ideally at least two quotes should be provided for the works.
Works, as determined by an assessment of site needs, can include:
1. Tree felling and removal - Following tree felling and removal in year 1, the area should be monitored for the remainder of the agreement . Regenerating scrub, woody plants and self-seeded trees should be cut and sprayed with an appropriate herbicide, accompanied by further cutting, if necessary. Any tree felling proposals should be accompanied by supportive survey work, assessments of tree health, protected species survey and where appropriate an assessment of historic significance and integrity, demonstrating that the work is being proposed as part of a systematic management plan. In addition, a precautionary survey should be undertaken to assess the presence of protected species prior to works being planned.
2. Muirburn - To undertake a regular Muirburn programme (following the Muirburn Code, Scottish Natural Heritage), with care taken to ensure that any underlying organic layer or peat does not burn as this can harm archaeological remains.
3. Grazing control where fencing and gates required to control stock. Fences, stiles or grates should be sited outside the scheduled area in cases involving scheduled ancient monuments. With unscheduled sites, any fences, stiles or gates should be at least 10m outside the outermost visible features on the site. The level of grazing of sheep and/or cattle on the site should be controlled to a level adequate to retain the existing grass/heather cover and prevent the establishment of scrub, gorse, woody plants and self-seeded trees, whilst avoiding ground disturbance through poaching.
4. Control of burrowing animals where this involves ground disturbance or requires supporting capital items such as rabbit netting. New fences, stiles, gates, box traps or rabbit netting should be sited outside the scheduled area in cases involving scheduled ancient monuments. With unscheduled sites, any fences, stiles, gates, box traps or rabbit netting should be at least 10m outside the outermost visible features on the site. In conjunction with the installation of rabbit fencing and / box drop-boxes, the burrowing animal population on the Area should be controlled through a programme of work following Defra 2004 guidelines ( http://www.defra.gov.uk/rds/publications/technical/tan_01.pdf).
5. Earthwork repair including sourcing new topsoil and reseeding. In cases where the ground has been eroded by sheep/cattle/rabbits, earthworks should be repaired by bringing in 'clean' topsoil from outwith the Area. Any imported earth should be checked for the presence of control of invasive non-natives, which must be done in conjunction with the appropriate complementary measure. The reconstituted ground should be reseeded by hand with a suitable grass/wildflower mix. In conjunction with the above, the causes of the original erosion should be eliminated. This may require temporary or permanent stock fencing or a programme of rabbit control (see measures for grazing control and burrowing animals, above).
6. Work to masonry structures including consolidation and vegetation removal where appropriate. Works required will be determined by site-specific circumstances.
7. Removal of recent field-cleared stone from sites of archaeological interest
8. Option 2 can also be used to undertake Option 1 (Tier 2) operations where the potential beneficiary's Tier 2 payment limit is not sufficient to enable the full extent of the archaeological or historic site to be managed. For example, a potential beneficiary may wish to remove a large cropmark site from cultivation and sow to grass but their Tier 2 payment limit will not enable this. The payment rate will remain unchanged but Option 2 can be used to 'top up' the payment to ensure that the full extent of the archaeological site can be managed.
Regular inspection and maintenance, with repairs carried out, will benefit the sustainability of the building and help to prevent its deterioration and need for more serious and costly Option 4 repairs. This option provides for annual routine management and repairs in line with http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/upkeep_leaflet-2.pdf,
Roofs: replace slipped or broken slates or tiles. Check condition of corrugated iron roofing sheets; repaint with appropriate paint system and colour if necessary; replace damaged sheets with sheets of same gauge and profile. Check mortar fillets at skews and repair/replace with appropriate mortar where necessary. Check lead/zinc flashings and ridge, and repair/replace where damaged. Check condition of ridge ventilators, make repairs where necessary.
Chimneys: clean flue of any debris. Ensure free air circulation possible. Check pointing/harling and repair with appropriate mortar where necessary.
Rainwater goods: clean out any debris from gutters, hoppers, downpipes and drains. Check that there are no blockages and clear if necessary. Check that there are no leaks, and repair if necessary with appropriate materials. Repaint if necessary.
Windows, louvres, skylights and doors: check condition of windows; replace putty, broken glass where necessary. Repaint if necessary. Replace rotting timber sections where necessary. Ensure ironmongery (catches, door latches etc) are functioning correctly, and that door/window/skylight/louvre can open and close completely and securely.
Walls (including boundary walls): check pointing/harl and repair where necessary with appropriate material and technique (advice should be taken in the case of fine jointed ashlar work and for all mortar and harling work, which will normally require a lime-based specification). Remove any vegetation. Reapply sacrificial limewash where applicable if starting to fail/following repairs. Ensure that base of walls are kept free of build up of earth, leaves etc and that air vents are unimpeded. Keep gullies and drains free of blockages.
Interior: remove debris that may harbour damp. Check walls and timbers for signs of water ingress, and remedy problem (see above).
Cobbles and Flagstones (interior and exterior): reset loose cobbles or flags using appropriate method and material. Ensure that they are protected from unnecessarily heavy use and damage risks.
Ironwork (railings, gates etc): check condition and repaint with appropriate paint system and colour if necessary.
Undertake a precautionary survey to assess the presence of protected species prior to works being planned (advice from SNH).
Advice should be sought from the local planning authority regarding the need for planning permission, listed building consent and building warrant.
It is highly desirable that this is prepared by suitable practitioners and specifiers experienced in the conservation, repair and maintenance of historic buildings (see Historic Scotland technical guidance). For guidance on types of works and advisory standards of repair see sections 4-9 of http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/brg_-_advisory_standards_of_repair.pdf
Advice should be sought from the local planning authority regarding the need for planning permission, listed building consent and building warrant.
Roofs: Appropriate repairs to roof structure, including timbers and sarking. Complete or major re-slating or tiling. Repairs to thatch. Large scale replacement of lead flashings, ridges, secret gutters etc. Replacement of structurally unsound skews, crowsteps, skewputts. Reinstatement/repair of ornamental finials, brattishing, ridge tiles, vents, cowls, etc where evidence of original form exists. Reinstatement of ornamental ridge ventilators where evidence of original form exists.
Chimneys: Reinstatement/ reconstruction of chimney stacks (where evidence of original form exists). Installation of mesh guards to protect debris/bird ingress. Replacement of appropriate chimney cans.
Rainwater goods: improve rainwater control where necessary, with appropriate system. Replace u PVC rainwater goods with appropriate cast iron items. Replacement of irreparably damaged ornamental rainwater hoppers.
Windows, louvres, skylights and doors: where inappropriate modern items have been installed, replace with appropriate traditional items, to match form of originals where known. Repair/replacement of leaded and zinc camed windows.
Walls (including boundary walls): Repair of structurally unsound walls, where appropriate. Replacement or major repair of structurally unsound skews, crowsteps, skewputts, ornamental mouldings, cornices, lintels, cills. Major re-pointing schemes. Application of lime harl and/or limewash where considered appropriate and beneficial. Remove any redundant unsightly fixings, cables, aerials etc, and make good. Where necessary and appropriate, indent damaged and very badly eroded stone using suitable match and technique. Removal of harmful cementitious pointing/harling where practical and replace with lime pointing/harling (specialist advice should be taken for major stonework repair and limework). Reinstatement of original/historic window or door opening proportions, where evidence of original form exists. Reversal of impromptu slappings to accommodate modern machinery/ processes, unless these provide information of historic value.
Interior: repair of internal plaster. Repair of joinery, metal and decorative work ( e.g. tiles, ornamental plasterwork, cornicing) of historical interest.
Cobbles and Flagstones (interior and exterior): Reinstatement of lost/displaced stone flags or cobbles (interior and exterior).
Ironwork (railings, gates etc): appropriate major repair/replacement/reinstatement of decorative and functional original or historic metal work e.g. weathervanes, railings, gates.
Definition of beneficiaries
Land managers and rural businesses.
Type of support
For option 1: Two annual management payment rates for 5 years. One rate will be for management of above ground visible sites (including the establishment of 10m unploughed buffers and their management) (£255/hectare), and one rate for putting cropmark sites to grass (£292/hectare).
For option 2: One-off standard capital payment rates (or actual costs where standard rates do not apply), plus area-based annual management payment rate (rates as with option 1).
For option 3: Capital grant, 75% of actual cost of works.
For option 4: Capital grant, 75% of actual cost of works.
Demarcation line and criteria with other EU financial institutions
No other funding is available for these activities
Transition arrangements
None.
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