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THE RURAL STEWARDSHIP SCHEME

Section 5 Advice?

5.1 Advice on nature conservation and habitat management

There are many organisations and consultancies able to provide professional advice on nature conservation and habitat management. Your chosen adviser should have knowledge of or expertise in both agriculture and conservation.

5.2 Information and advice on woodland management

For general advice on the management of native and semi-natural woodland, you or your adviser may wish to consult the local Forestry Commission Conservator. Detailed guidance on appropriate management of semi-natural woodlands is contained in a series of Forestry Commission Forestry Practice Guides. These can be obtained from the Forestry Commission.

5.3 Information and advice on archaeological and historic features and designed landscapes

To find out what sites or features are on your land, you or your adviser must consult the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) for your area, if there is one. This is normally located in your local authority and is maintained by their archaeologist. Where there is no SMR, or if your local SMR is unable to assist, you or your adviser must consult the National Monuments Record of Scotland (NMRS) in Edinburgh. They will be able to advise you on known archaeological or historic features, gardens and designed landscapes. The NMRS and local planning authority will also be able to advise if there are scheduled ancient monuments or important gardens and designed landscapes on your land. Unless you have the scheduling notice to hand, it is always worthwhile checking exact boundaries of scheduled ancient monuments with Historic Scotland. Historic Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage can provide advice on designed landscapes.

The addresses and telephone numbers for NMRS, Historic Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage are listed in Appendix 3 at the back of this booklet

NMRS data are available in a limited, non map-based form on the Internet at Canmore (http://www.rcahms.gov.uk). This may be useful to gain an initial impression of the nature of the archaeology on a holding but Canmore should not be used as the sole basis for audit or plan drafting.

You or your adviser should provide a national grid reference and a good quality map showing the extent of your land holdings to help the SMR or the NMRS identity what is known and provide you with information on the nature and approximate extent of any sites.

5.3.1 What do I do if I have an archaeological or historic feature?

Basic protection for ancient monuments is provided under the General Environmental Conditions of the Scheme and outlined in Historic Scotland's leaflet "Managing Scotland's Archaeological Heritage". Active management to enhance, improve or further protect an area of archaeological or historic interest may be carried out under the Management of Archaeological/Historic sites option. Your Local Authority archaeologist will be able to offer advice on the best management of any individual unscheduled site, particularly where the sites are of a complex nature, and there are also private sector consultants who may be able to help.

5.3.2 What do I do if I have a Scheduled Ancient Monument?

You should already be aware of any scheduled ancient monuments (SAM) on your land, but if you are in doubt you must consult Historic Scotland who will provide information on the existence of SAMs and offer advice on their protection and management. It is particularly important that the extent of SAMs is accurately depicted in your application. You must obtain Scheduled Monument Consent before carrying out any work that might affect any part of a scheduled ancient monument and Historic Scotland can also provide advice on this. Evidence of discussion with Historic Scotland, including any necessary formal consent, must be submitted with the Environmental Audit if you are proposing any new works which might affect a SAM but is not needed if you are simply continuing an existing non-damaging management regime.

5.3.3 What do I do if my farm includes an important Garden or Designed Landscape?

The RSS does not contain a specific management measure for designed landscapes but does contain capital measures that can be combined to create a package of works that will assist the conservation and restoration of features that constitute the key elements of the designed landscape. If any measures are proposed within part of a designed landscape, you or your adviser must consult Scottish Natural Heritage. Evidence of such consultation must be submitted with the Environmental Audit.

You can confirm whether any of your farm lies within a designed landscape which is included on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes (1987), by checking the Inventory, copies of which may be consulted at main public libraries, local SNH or SERAD offices, or obtained from SNH Publications Section, Battleby, Redgorton, Perth PH1 3EW. Contact your local SNH office for details of whether your farm lies within a candidate site that may be added to the Inventory.

For further information about the management of Designed Landscapes, see: Debois Landscape Survey Group, 1997. Designed Landscapes in Scotland: notes on their planting and management. SNH Review No 82. For details of maps and other documents which may be helpful, see: C. Dingwall, 1995. Researching Historic Gardens in Scotland : A Guide to Information Sources. SNH Review No 54.

Both of these are available from SNH Publications at the above address.

5.4 What will this advice cost?

The charge for conservation advice, is a matter to be decided between you and your chosen adviser. The level of charges for information on archaeological/historic features and designed landscapes is a matter for individual authorities and the NMRS, but you can expect to pay in the region of £20 - £40 per hour. Historic Scotland will provide information and advice on the management of SAMs free of charge, and there is no charge for dealing with formal scheduled monument consent applications. Free information and advice on Inventory gardens and designed landscapes is available from Historic Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.

SERAD will contribute towards the cost of preparing the Environmental Audit and Moorland Management Plan. The amounts available for these are shown in the list of payments in the folder that accompanies this booklet.

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