The Scottish Government

Regional Priority Code

Water and Soils Priorities

Relevant Packages

AYR16

Reduced diffuse pollution from rural land uses. Particularly:

• proposals that will improve the quality of Ayrshire and Arran rivers and coastal waters so as to secure compliance with EU Directives, protect commercial and recreational water uses, and enhance the economic well-being of the region
• new developments which incorporate modern drainage arrangements appropriate to their size and location, to minimise the physical, chemical and biological impact of any associated point source discharges.

AYR17

Improved water quality of surface water and ground water bodies supported by a 'Soils and Water Plan', with priority given to actions in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, Bathing Water Catchments, shellfish growing areas and Drinking Water Protected Areas. Particularly proposals that:

• retain measures which have contributed to improved water quality under previous agri-environment schemes and where loss of funding risks benefits being lost
• install measures to protect and enhance UK BAP Habitat 'Mesotrophic Lakes'
• Within Bathing Water catchments as identified by SEPA:

• within catchments draining to designated Shellfish Growing Waters: Installation of Constructed Farm Wetlands to treat lightly contaminated run-off from farm steadings
• within Drinking Water Protection Areas: Installation of pollution prevention measures, particularly in relation to pesticides, sheep dip and slurry or manure spreading, etc.
• encourage a collaborative approach on a sub-catchment scale.

AYR18

By 2015, achieve good ecological status of water bodies which are classified as being at a lesser status. This should be done through priorities identified in River Basin Management Plans. Particularly proposals that:

• include water quality measures which are likely to contribute to the achievement of good ecological status.
• implement measures to address risk of diffuse pollution from rural land use, particularly where applicants applying for water quality measures have undertaken nutrient budgeting and/or have prepared a soils and water plan which has identified measures to address risks identified.

AYR19

Sustainable flood management and reduced flood risk (including adaptation to climate change), through appropriate land management, particularly actions identified in River Basin Management Plans. Particularly proposals that:

• involve land management which contributes to reduced flood risk particularly where identified in the River Basin Management Plan
• enhance riparian woodland management
• restore wetlands (including peatlands).

AYR20

Improved protection in areas identified as most at risk from erosion, flooding, acidification and nitrate pollution, through appropriate management of existing habitats (e.g. low impact silvicultural systems in woodland) or the creation of appropriate habitats (e.g. floodplains and along river edges), or organic conversion or maintenance.