Introduction
The aim of this Option is to encourage the growth of native heathland plants and small grassland herbs found on coastal and serpentine heaths.
What this will achieve
As well as maintaining an important vegetation type this Option will benefit a range of Biodiversity Action Plan ( BAP) species. These include birds and animals such as the Linnet and the Natterjack Toad. Plants that will benefit include Eyebrights, Dune Gentian, Scottish Primrose, Scottish Scurvy Grass and Marsh Earwort. And insects that will benefit include the Great Yellow Bumblebee, the Northern Colletes Bee, Marsh Fritillary and Slender Scotch Burnet moth.
What you can do
Requirements
- Exclude farm livestock from the area from 1 April until 31 August inclusive
- Graze the site from 1 September until 30 November inclusive. The grazing level should not exceed 1.2 Livestock Units (LU) per hectare during this period but should be enough to remove rank growth and lightly crop any dwarf shrubs. The aim is to create a balance between the cover and vigour of the dwarf shrubs and fine grasses with broad-leaved herbs
- Graze the site from 1 December until 31 March inclusive but this is optional. The grazing level must not exceed 0.15 LU per hectare during this period except with the prior written agreement of the Scottish Ministers
- To ensure that the desired conservation benefits are delivered any of the grazing requirements set out above may be varied in any year with the prior written agreement of the Scottish Ministers
- Adjust the grazing regime if necessary to make sure that tall grasses do not shade out the small broad-leaved herbs
- Do not burn the site without prior written agreement of the Scottish Ministers
- Do not apply fertiliser, slurry or farmyard manure to the site.
Where these requirements would not reflect the specific biodiversity requirements of the site, a farm livestock management and grazing regime must be set out in a grazing plan to be agreed with the Scottish Ministers. The grazing plan may be subject to change as the site develops;
A grazing plan is obligatory when management is for Scottish Primrose.
Who can apply (including geographical element)
All land managers are eligible to apply for this Option.
Eligibility criteria
You can enter the following areas under this Option:
- Coastal heath - land bordering the sea containing moorland or species-rich grassland affected by salt spray and exposure
- Serpentine heath - unimproved land found in just a small number of locations with serpentine or other ultra-basic rocks. It is moorland or species-rich grassland vegetation that can tolerate soils with high concentrations of heavy metals.
Land receiving payments for similar management under other agri-environment schemes is not eligible under this Option.
What costs could be supported
For a comprehensive list of Capital Items click here. Any costs claimed must be fully justified. The following are examples of what may be claimed:
When completing your Proposal, you can select the appropriate capital item(s) from the dropdown list of standard cost capital items for this Option.
In addition to the above capital items, financial support of up to 100% of eligible actual costs is available in respect of the following:
Please note that these capital items will not appear in the dropdown list of Standard Cost capital items for this Option and will need to be entered manually in the box for Actual Cost capital items. Only costs for the types of capital works listed above should be entered in the Actual Cost capital items box for this Option. Any other costs entered cannot be considered for funding.
To ensure value for money we require you to provide 2 competitive quotes for any capital items applied for which are based on actual cost. If, however, you are seeking grant support towards something so specialised it is only available through 1 source then we would accept 1 quote. Please see the guidance on quotes and estimates for more information.
Rate of support
This is a 5-year commitment. We will pay at the end of each year.
The annual payment rates are:
£77 per hectare per year up to 30 hectares, £44 per hectare per year for next 40 hectares and £1.30 per hectare per year thereafter.
Inspection/verification
The inspector will check the requirements (as detailed above under 'what you can do') of the Option are being met, by a visual assessment on the day of inspection.
Beneficiaries must comply with the requirements of cross compliance and the minimum requirements for fertiliser and plant protection products. You must also comply with the requirements to avoid damaging any features of historic or archaeological interest, and follow Scottish Ministers' guidance for the protection of such areas or features (detailed in links below).
The following is a brief overview of the inspection procedures, for a full explanation please see links below:
Inspectors will check:
- Visual inspection for compliance with agreed grazing regime
- Visual check to ensure no fertiliser/ FYM/Slurry has been applied
- Written agreement from Scottish Ministers for any burning within the site
- Grazing plan if Scottish Primrose present
- Claimed capital items have been completed to approved amounts and scheme standards
List of links to relevant technical guidance