The following list of activities are eligible under this element. Where required further technical information is provided to help you undertake this activity in the required manner.
Site clearance and establishment activities
- Erect temporary fence to demarcate works area if necessary.
- Provide alternative temporary access where appropriate.
- Prepare ground works and drainage as necessary.
- Spray off vegetation if required, and
- Removal of invasive non-native species when required (this must be done in conjunction with Control of invasive non-native species option).
When spraying vegetation you must follow the Code of Practice for herbicide spraying and guidance in the Health & Safety Executive application of pesticides by hand-held equipment document. If you are removing invasive non-native species you must undertake this in conjunction with the Control of Invasive non-native species option.
If you intend to spray near water - like a river, loch or burn SEPA must agree to the spraying before you start. If you want to spray on or near a designated area, SNH must agree to the spraying before you start.
New works
Erect fencing, walls, dyking
When erecting new fencing fences must be limited to vertical slat boarding no greater than 1.8m in height, which is likely to be most sympathetic to rural character. It is most effective where direct screening from a public access route is required. Undertake appropriate ground preparation. Erect pre treated vertical slat hit and miss boarding with 25 mm gaps to a maximum of 1.8m high. Stain fence in a dark colour designed to fit in with other nearby built structures, or dark grey if associated with planting. If appropriate, fit badger gates or undertake other mitigation measures where movement of animals requires to be taken into account.
When building new drystane dykes, walls and flagstone walls these must be located and designed to help provide a characteristic setting for buildings and partial screening for structures and land used for storage. New lengths of walls and dykes should be constructed with material, and in a style, which is traditional to the locality and matches adjacent areas.
Plant hedging
Establish new hedges using native species or species characteristic to your local area. Excavate trench by machine, depositing soil alongside trench and breaking up subsoil to a depth of 300 mm. Supply and set out bare root hedging plants (60 cm - 80 cm high) at 5 per linear metre. For the first four years, weed and fertilise with granular fertiliser at appropriate rate. Protect plants using spiral vole guards, tree guards and mulch. Manage all hedges over several years so that they are at least 1.5m tall and at least 2m wide at the base. Only cut back and trim hedges or prune establishing trees between 1 December and 1 March.
Create well shaped earth mound, graded to create gentle slopes
You can create gently graded and irregularly shaped mounded earthworks to assist in producing 'instant' partial screening, which can then be supplemented by planting to create additional height. Set aside and protect topsoil from excavations required for building work and on area where earthworks are to be created. If required, source imported fill material and topsoil which meets British Standard BS3882: 1994 (economy grade), and is free from non-native plant material or organisms. In addition, in all cases of any earth movement or removal, the earth must be free from material from invasive non-native plant species. Any soil used should be surveyed during the growing season to ensure that it, and land adjacent to it, does not contain invasive non-native species. Any contaminated soil/earth to be removed must be disposed as set out in the Control of invasive non-natives option. Use subsoil and imported fill to shape mounds by machine, aiming for gentle gradients and concave slopes to create a relatively natural appearance. Some variety in width, height and gradient of slope will also assist in creating a less engineered profile. Place retained topsoil over shaped earth mounding and establish planting or appropriate native grass seed mix at recommended application rate to establish vegetation.
Planting trees and shrubs
Establishment of trees can include native or non-native species but must aim to reflect the landscape character of the area. Any trees must be whips or semi-standards, staked at ground level, watered, fertilized with granular fertilizer at recommended application rate and mulched to retain moisture for the first four years. Trees must be protected from deer, voles, rabbits and hares by the use of appropriate tree guards or fencing.
Shrubs must be native species of local provenance and must be 60 - 80 cm (1 + 1) bare root plants, established at 1m spacing in prepared ground. Up to 25 % open space per hectare allowed within layout. For the first four year beat up, water, fertilize with granular fertilizer at recommended application rate and mulch to retain moisture. Shrubs must be protected from stock, deer, voles, rabbits and hares by the use of appropriate tree guards or fencing.
To support your application under this element you need to define the reasons why the screening is required under the following headings
- visually prominent
- adjacent to a site of historic or cultural interest
- causing disturbance to protected species, or
- for another reason
If you choose 4. please provide a detailed explanation of why you think the screening is merited. In your application describe any existing screening or management activities on the site and explain why you consider that your application will deliver additionaltiy to current management activities.