North Peak ESA
- Aims and objectives
- Background to the ESA
- Tier 1A - All farmland and moorland
- Tier 1B (I) - Semi-improved permanent grassland
- Tier 1B (II) - Unimproved permanent grassland
- Tier 1B (III) - Enclosed rough grazing
- Hay meadow supplement
- Wet area supplement
- Tier 1C - Moorland
- Tier 2A - Moorland enhancement-extensification
- Tier 2B - Exclosure
- Small woodland management and regeneration tier
- Hedge and wall restoration supplements
Aims and objectives
1. The North Peak ESA aims to maintain and enhance the landscape, wildlife and historic interest of the area by encouraging beneficial agricultural and land management practices.
2. Specific objectives are:
| Related tier(s) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | To maintain and enhance the landscape and nature conservation interest of moorland. | 1C, 2A, 2B |
| 2. | To maintain the nature conservation interest of permanent grassland, including enclosed rough grazing and hay meadows. | 1A, 1Bi- iii |
| 3. | To enhance the nature conservation interest of permanent grassland, by encouraging traditional management of hay meadows and recreation of wet areas. | 1Bi- iii, inc. Traditional Hay Meadow and Wet Area supplements |
| 4. | To maintain and enhance landscape quality of enclosed land through the management of characteristic landscape elements such as field boundaries and traditional buildings. | All, inc. Field Boundary Restoration Supplement |
| 5. | To protect archaeological and historic features. | All |
| 6. | To maintain and enhance the nature conservation and landscape interest of small-scale native woodland. | 1AW, Woodland |
Background to the ESA
3. The North Peak ESA extends over 54,980 hectares of predominantly high open moorland on gritstone rocks at the southern end of the Pennine Hills. These moors, large areas of which are above 450 metres, lie within the Peak District National Park. The farming is based mainly on extensive livestock production systems, the predominant enterprise being hill sheep. Most of the heather moors are also used for grouse shooting. Typical farms have only small areas of inbye used for lambing and some mixed livestock. The whole area has Less Favoured Area status, recognising the farming difficulties that result from the topography and climate.
4. The landscape value of the area lies in the remote and extensive nature of the moorland and the contrasting enclosed patterns of the inbye land, which is limited to the valleys around the moorland fringe. Ecological interest is focused on the moorland, on which there are several Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The moorland habitat has a range of vegetation communities that are of high value for upland breeding birds and the area is designated as a Special Protection Area under the EC Birds Directive. Areas of relatively unimproved grassland are also of importance. The historic interest of the area is extensive including evidence of prehistoric and more recent occupation. These include Mesolithic settlements, medieval tracks and field patterns, peat cutting, traditional stone farm buildings and old quarrying and mineral extraction sites.
5. Environmental threats have included overgrazing by sheep, under-management of heather moorland, uncontrolled fires, visitor pressure, peat erosion and agricultural improvement of inbye. These, together with a decline in traditional land management skills such as dry stone walling and shepherding, have devalued the environment and the landscape of the area. The ESA was designated to counter these threats.
6. This is a 'whole-farm' scheme which started in 1988. The boundaries were extended by 5,300 ha in 1993 and a further 95 ha when the scheme was revised for a second time in 1998. The uptake at the end of 1998 was c. 41,690 ha.
7. A priority objective is to promote traditional management of heather and grass moorland. For the moorland tier (1C), there are limits on stocking levels, which are determined in relation to the vegetation type and the condition of the moorland. Stock exclusion is required on selected areas of degraded moorland and there is a new requirement to agree, and to implement, an integrated moorland management plan covering aspects such as heather management, bracken control and stock management. Tier 2 makes additional provision for enhancement of degraded moorland and high priority is given to securing agreements with land in this tier. These moorland tiers are the main mechanism for achieving the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) targets for upland heathland and blanket bog in the area.
8. Better targeting of permanent grassland is now possible following the subdivision of Tier 1B into three options. Tier 1B(i) applies to improved and semi-improved grassland, and seeks to prevent intensification and maintain landscape interest. Tier 1B(ii) targets unimproved grassland which has more botanical and/or wildlife interest. There is a new hay meadow supplement for these two tiers which prohibits the early cutting of fields to encourage seed dispersal. Tier 1B(iii) is for enclosed rough, and often tussocky, grassland occurring on the moorland fringe and steep valley sides. These areas often provide important and diverse habitats which are of particular value to moorland birds. There is a new Wet Area Supplement applicable to all three Tier 1B options, to provide enhanced habitat for ground nesting moorland birds, many of which are BAP target species.
9. All tiers aim to maintain the North Peak landscape character, together with all of the field boundary and historic features. The enhancement of these features is promoted through field boundary management plans, the walling and hedgerow restoration supplements and various Conservation Plan items, such as regeneration of heather moorland, renovation of traditional farm buildings and specific habitat enhancement to meet particular BAP priorities.
10. There is a new woodland tier to encourage positive management and natural regeneration of small woods, particularly along clough sides. These areas may include the upland oakwood BAP priority habitat.
Tier 1A - All farmland and moorland
Scheme Prescriptions
Do not remove any walls, hedges, hedgerow banks or parts thereof.
Maintain all stockproof walls and hedges in a stockproof condition using traditional methods and materials.
The Ministry will make a supplementary payment if you agree in writing a programme for the renovation of drystone walls or non-stockproof hedges. This may involve the rebuilding of gaps to make non-stockproof walls stockproof or the dismantling and rebuilding of stockproof walling in poor condition. However, new agreement holders must undertake as a minimum a 5 year programme for the restoration of up to 2.5 metres of non-stockproof stone walls per hectare of enclosed land in total. Hedge restoration work may include gapping-up, coppicing and laying. Payment will be calculated on the basis of the length of wall or hedge restored in each year.
Maintain any traditional weatherproof farm buildings which you own or for which you are responsible in a weatherproof condition using traditional local styles and materials.
Do not damage, destroy or remove any features of archaeological or historical value or interest.
Retain any woodland, copses or groups of trees and scrub. Agree in writing with the Project Officer and implement a programme to conserve and protect areas of non net-income generating woodland. These will be identified on the agreement map, and will receive payment at the all land rate. Seek written consent from the Project Officer before planting any woodland.
Retain ponds and wet areas and manage all fields, hedgerows and streamside trees so as to maintain good habitat conditions.
Do not install any new land drainage system or modify any existing land drainage system so as to bring about improved drainage.
Sheep dip must be disposed of safely. In particular, it must not be spread where it may affect areas of nature conservation value.
Any bracken control must be carried out in accordance with a written programme agreed in advance with the Project Officer and any other necessary consents obtained. This must include adequate follow-up treatment. Where bracken cannot be controlled by mechanical means and a herbicide is necessary then only asulam may be used where application is by means of a boom sprayer (including aerial application). Other herbicides and application methids may be used only in agreement with the Project Officer.
You must control injurious weeds to prevent severe infestations occurring and agree this in writing with the Project Officer. Wherever possible this should involve cutting or physical removal. Herbicides must be applied by spot treatment or weed wiper. Other weed control methods must be agreed in writing with the Project Officer.
Do not use fungicides or insecticides.
All pastures must be grazed with cattle or sheep or both. Do not graze any land so as to cause poaching, overgrazing or undergrazing.
Do not infill any depressions.
Do not exceed your existing levels of inorganic or organic fertiliser and in any case do not exceed 100 kg of total nitrogen per hectare per annum. Do not apply organic fertiliser within 50m of a spring, well or borehole used for domestic consumption or within 10m of any watercourse. If necessary you may import farmyard manure (FYM) subject to written Project Officer approval in advance but no slurry may be imported. No pig or poultry manure must be applied.
Do not exceed your existing levels of lime or any other substance to reduce soil acidity.
Do not cut or otherwise control rushes except in accordance with a written rotational management programme agreed in advance with the Project Officer to promote conservation interests.
Obtain written advice on siting, design and materials before constructing buildings or roads or carrying out any other engineering or construction works which do not require planning permission or prior notification determination by the local planning authority.
Any scrub control must be carried out in accordance with a written programme agreed in advance with the Project Officer.
Do not increase your area of cultivated land (including ley grasses under 5 years old) beyond the area that it covered on 31 August 1997.
You must abide by the Codes of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Soil, Air and Water, published by the Ministry (references PB 0617, PB 0618 and PB 0587) as amended from time to time.
Agronomic Impact
The prescriptions for this tier have the following implications for husbandry with a significant economic consequence.
- Maintenance of stockproof stone walls by traditional means.
- Maintenance of stockproof hedges by traditional means.
- Maintenance of hedgerow and streamside trees.
- Maintenance of weatherproof traditional farm buildings.
- Extra bracken and scrub control.
- Spraying by spot treatment/weed wiper.
| £/ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra Income | 0 | |
| Costs Saved | 0 | |
| Income Lost | 0 | |
| Extra Costs | ||
| Walling maintenance | 9.7 | |
| Hedge maintenance | 6.5 | |
| Maintenance traditional buildings | 23.8 | |
| Bracken control | 2.2 | |
| Scrub control | 0.0 | |
| Spraying by spot treatment or weed wiper | 10.4 | |
| Total | 52.5 | |
| Income Forgone | 52.5 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 1,800 hectares
- Income forgone
- £53/ha
- Current payment rate
- £20/ha
- Level of incentive
- N/A
Tier 1B(I) Semi-improved permanent grassland
Scheme Prescriptions
Observe prescriptions 1-21(Tier 1A) plus additional prescriptions set out below:-
Semi-improved grassland identified on your contract map must be managed as such for the length of your agreement. Do not excavate, plough level or reseed. You may not use a chain harrow or roller on the land between 1 April and 16 July inclusive.
Do not exceed your existing application rates of organic or inorganic fertiliser. Do not apply lime, slag or any other substance to reduce soil acidity.
Agronomic Impact
- Reduction in stocking rates of 0.2 GLU/ha from 0.9 GLU/ha to 0.7 GLU/ha.
- Consequential savings in labour requirement and interest on working capital.
- Opportunities to lease out livestock quota.
| £/ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra Income | ||
| Quota Leasing | 6.7 | |
| Costs Saved | ||
| Interest on working capital re. stock @ 0.2GLU/ha | 4.7 | |
| Labour savings | 5.4 | |
| Income Lost | ||
| Livestock gross margin @ 0.2GLU/ha | 52.5 | |
| Extra Costs | ||
| Chain harrowing costs | 2 .2 | |
| Tier 1A All land | 52.5 | |
| Total | 108.9 | 16.8 |
| Income Forgone | 92.1 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 650 hectares
- Income forgone
- £92.1/ha
- Current payment rate
- £55/ha
- Level of incentive
- N/A
Tier 1B(II) - Unimproved permanent grassland
Scheme Prescriptions
Observe prescriptions 1-21 (Tier 1A) and 22-23 (Tier 1B(i)) plus additional prescriptions set out below:-
Unimproved permanent grassland shown on your contract map must be maintained as such for the length of your agreement.
Limit stock numbers between 1 April and 31 May to no more than 0.6 LU/ha or to a level that you have agreed in advance in writing with the Project Officer. This may include appropriate site specific levels of grazing where necessary to maintain the structure and environmental interest of the sward.
Do not excavate, plough, level or reseed, or otherwise cultivate. Do not use a chain harrow or roller on unimproved permanent grassland not previously rolled. In any case do not chain harrow or roll between 1 April and 16 July.
Do not apply any inorganic or organic fertilisers (except where land in this Tier attracts a Hay Meadow Supplement).
Agronomic Impact
The prescriptions for this tier have the following implications for husbandry with a significant economic consequence.
- Reduction in stocking rates of 0.15 GLU/ha from 0.7 GLU/ha to 0.55 GLU/ha.
- Consequential savings in labour requirement and interest on working capital.
- Currently inorganic fertilisers are applied.
- Opportunities to lease out livestock quota.
| £/ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra Income | ||
| Quota leasing | 5.4 | |
| Costs Saved | ||
| Interest on working capital re. stock @ 0.15GLU/ha | 3.4 | |
| Labour saving on 0.15GLU/ha | 4.3 | |
| Income Lost | ||
| Livestock gross margin @ 0.15GLU/ha | 40.5 | |
| Tier 1A All land | 52.5 | |
| Total | 93.0 | 13.0 |
| Income Forgone Change | 80.0 |
- Uptake target
- 500 hectares
- Income forgone
- £80/ha
- Current payment rate
- £50/ha
- Level of incentive
- N/A
Hay meadow supplement
Scheme Prescriptions
(available on land entered into Tier 1B(i) and Tier 1B(ii)).
Land managed as a hay meadow identified on your contract map must be managed as such for the length of your agreement.
Exclude stock from all meadows at least 7 weeks before cutting and by 27 May at the latest.
All meadows must be cut and the crop removed. They must not be cut before 16 July for hay or 1 August where it is proposed to make late silage. Grass cut for haylage must be wilted and turned at least once to disperse seeds before baling and removal from the field. The aftermath must be grazed but not so as to cause poaching.
Where the Hay Meadow Supplement applies to land entered into Tier 1B(ii), in addition to the preceding prescriptions you must observe the following:-
Do not apply more than your existing application rate of FYM and in any case do not exceed 8 tonnes per hectare in any one year. Do not apply FYM between 1 April and 31 May.
Agronomic Impact
- Currently 80% of meadows are made into hay and 20% silage.
- Delay in cutting dates for silage will reduce feed value and reduce the availability of aftermath grazing.
- Restrictions on fertiliser usage.
- Consequential savings in forage costs.
| £/ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra Income | 0 | |
| Costs Saved | 0 | |
| Income Lost | 0 | |
| Extra Costs | ||
| 80% hay @ £64/ha | 51 | |
| 20% silage @ £97/ha | 19 | |
| Total | 70 | |
| Income forgone | 70 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 350 hectares
- Income forgone
- £70/ha
- Current payment rate
- £80/ha
- Level of incentive
- 14%
- Justification for incentive
- The hay meadow supplement is seen by many as crucial to encourage the preservation of hay meadows, a priority habitat within the ESA. Entry into this Tier is restrictive and loss of hay meadows by increasing fertiliser usage above current levels is perceived as a real threat.
Tier 1B (III) Enclosed rough grazing
Scheme Prescriptions
Observe prescriptions 23-24 (Tier 1B(i)) and 25-28 (Tier 1B(ii)) plus additional prescriptions set out below:-
Enclosed rough grazing identified on your contract map must be managed as such for the length of your agreement.
Maintain enclosed rough grazing and do not excavate, plough, level, roll, reseed or otherwise cultivate.
Do not apply organic or inorganic agricultural fertiliser, FYM, lime or agricultural waste, including spent sheep dip.
Do not install any new land drainage system, ditches, grips or other work resulting in drainage improvements. Normal maintenance is permitted subject to Project Officer approval.
Agronomic Impact
The prescriptions for this tier have the following implications for husbandry with a significant economic consequence.
- Reduction in output associated with reduced stocking rates of 0.10LU/ha from 0.55GLU/ha to 0.45GLU/ha.
- Consequential savings in forage costs, interest on working capital and labour.
- Opportunities to lease surplus quota.
| £/ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra Income | ||
| Quota leasing | 4.1 | |
| Costs Saved | ||
| Interest on working capital re. stock @ 0.1GLU/ha | 2.0 | |
| Labour saving on 0.1GLU/ha | 3.2 | |
| Income Lost | ||
| Livestock gross margin @ 0.1GLU/ha | 25.5 | |
| Extra Costs | ||
| Tier 1A All land | 52.5 | |
| Total | 78.0 | 9.3 |
| Income Forgone | 68.7 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 450 hectares
- Income forgone
- £69/ha
- Current payment rate
- £45/ha
- Level of incentive
- N/A
Wet area supplement
Scheme Prescription
(available on land entered into Tier 1B(i), (ii) or (iii))
The Ministry may make a supplementary payment, if you agree in writing with the Project Officer appropriate measures to apply to areas in Tier 1B(i), (ii) or (iii) suitable for regeneration of wet conditions to improve the habitat for upland wading birds. Such areas must be identified on your agreement map and managed accordingly for the duration of your agreement. Appropriate work to enhance the habitat may also qualify for grant aid under the provisions of the Conservation Plan.
Agronomic Impact
The prescriptions for this tier have the following implications for husbandry with a significant economic consequence.
- For a supplementary payment on Tiers 1 Parts 1, 2 and 3 and Tier 2 Option 1 RP stock will have to be fenced out of wetted area between 1 April-30 June.
- Loss of land enclosed for wetting will be compensated for by renting grass keep. 0.25 ha intensive grass keep replaces 1 ha wetted land.
- Areas of raised water levels would need to be created. Typically this would be carried out by modifications to the drainage system. Capital grant is available under a Conservation Plan at the rate of 80% of the cost.
- Impact will extend to the area outside that fenced because impeding the drainage will result in extensive wet areas.
| £/ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra Income | ||
| Increased aftermath grazing | 23.9 | |
| Costs Saved | 0 | |
| Income Lost | 0 | |
| Extra Costs | ||
| Grass keep | 66 | |
| Fencing net of grant | 29.2 | |
| Blocking drains | 16.2 | |
| Total | 111.4 | 23.9 |
| Income Forgone Change | 87.4 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 20 hectares
- Income forgone
- £87.4/ha
- Current payment rate
- £90/ha
- Level of incentive
- 3%
Tier 1C - Moorland
Scheme Prescriptions
Observe prescriptions 1-21 (Tier 1A) plus additional prescriptions set out below:-
Agree in writing with the Project Officer a stocking rate to reflect the particular conditions on your moor. This will not exceed a stocking level of 0.15 LU per hectare of grazeable vegetation on your open moorland. The area of grazeable vegetation will be determined by the Ministry at the start of the agreement but may be reviewed from time to time according to circumstances. If your existing stock density is below this level and your moor exhibits symptoms of undergrazing you may only increase the stocking level by prior agreement in writing from the Ministry.
Between 1 November and 28 February do not graze any cattle or horses and you must remove 25% of your flock of overwintering ewes and replacement hogs from your moor.
In the first year of your agreement you must agree with the Project Officer a written plan of integrated moorland management which must be implemented. The plan may include rotational heather burning and cutting, stock management, scrub and bracken control. The plan will identify areas where supplementary feeding may occur. The aim is to create and maintain a mosaic of mixed age dwarf shrub heath and other vegetation across the moor.
The integrated moorland management plan must also include the extent to which shepherding practices are to be implemented to minimise localised suppression of the heather margins and regenerating moorland vegetation.
Do not excavate, plough, level, reseed or otherwise cultivate any of your moorland other than for heather regeneration purposes.
Do not apply organic or inorganic fertilisers. Do not lime, or use any other substance to reduce soil acidity. You must agree in writing with the Project Officer any supplementary treatments which may be required on specific regeneration sites.
Do not fence across open moorland.
Do not cut or spray existing areas of rushes.
During the first year of your agreement identify and agree in writing with the Project Officer an area or areas of degraded heather moorland equivalent to 2% of your moorland area. You may include areas already covered by a previous agreement for moorland regeneration. Exclude grazing livestock from such areas ("the exclosure") by erecting temporary fencing and agree in writing a controlled grazing programme with the Project Officer.
Agree in writing with the Project Officer when heather in the exclosure has been successfully regenerated and then remove and dispose of all temporary fencing. The area must subsequently be managed in accordance with all other Tier 1C prescriptions.
Erect stiles or gateways to permit any existing public rights of access to continue unhindered at agreed points.
Erect on agreed sites suitable notices explaining to the public the purpose of the ESA heather regeneration programme and the need for temporary fencing to be erected.
Agronomic Impact
The prescriptions for this tier have the following implications for husbandry with a significant economic consequence.
- Reduction in output associated with reducing stocking rates of 0.15GLU/ha from 0.3 LU/ha to 0.15 LU/ha.
- Increased away wintering costs of 25% ewes.
- Consequential savings in labour and interest on working capital.
- Opportunities to lease out sheep quota.
- Reduction in stocking rate resulting in enhanced performance.
- Scrub and bracken control.
- To protect the heather and prevent localised overgrazing, trespass and increased shepherding costs.
| £/ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra Income | ||
| Enhancement of sheep performance 1 ewes @ £2.35 | 1.6 | |
| Quota leasing | 6.0 | |
| Costs Saved | ||
| Interest on working capital 0.15 GLU | 2.7 | |
| Labour savings @ 0.15 GLU/ha | 5.4 | |
| Income Lost | ||
| Livestock gross margin 0.15 GLU | 32.0 | |
| Extra Costs | ||
| Away wintering 25% ewes of 0.15 GLU | 4.0 | |
| Bracken control | 7.6 | |
| Scrub management | 2.2 | |
| Heather management | 1.1 | |
| Shepherding | 2.2 | |
| Moving feeders | 2.2 | |
| Total | 51.1 | 15.6 |
| Income Forgone Change | 35.5 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 22,800 hectares
- Income forgone
- £35.5/ha
- Current payment rate
- £26/ha
- Level of incentive
- N/A
Tier 2A - Moorland enhancement-extensification
Scheme Prescriptions
Observe prescriptions 37-48 (Tier 1C) plus additional prescriptions set out below:-
You will agree in writing with the Project Officer a stocking level on your open moorland which does not exceed 0.1 livestock units per hectare of grazeable vegetation.
Between 1 October and 28 February do not graze any cattle or horses and you must remove 25% of your flock of overwintering ewes and of replacement hogs from your moorland.
Agronomic Impact
The prescriptions for this tier have the following implications:-
- Reduced output associated with reduced stocking rates of 0.05GLU/ha from 0.15G LU/ha to 0.1GLU/ha.
- Away wintering of 25% of 0.1GLU/ha (0.66 ewes)
ie. 0.17 ewes. - Income forgone costs associated with Tier 1C Moorland minus away wintering costs associated with that tier.
- Consequential savings in labour and interest on working capital based on 0.05GLU/ha.
- Opportunities to lease out sheep quota.
| £/ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra income | ||
| Leasing | 0.0 | |
| Costs Saved | ||
| Interest on working capital 0.05 GLU | 0.0 | |
| Labour saving 0.05 LU | 0.0 | |
| Away wintering 25% of 0.15GLU | 4.0 | |
| Income Lost | ||
| Livestock gross margin 0.05 GLU | 12.9 | |
| Extra Costs | ||
| Away wintering of 0.025 GLU (0.17 ewes)) | 3.0 | |
| Moorland Tier 1C | 35.5 | |
| Total | 51.4 | 4 |
| Income Forgone | 47.4 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 14,000 hectares
- Income forgone
- £47.4/ha
- Current payment rate
- £48/ha
- Level of incentive
- N/A
Tier 2B - Exclosure
Scheme Prescriptions
Exclude grazing livestock from such areas by erecting temporary fencing and agree in writing with the Project Officer a controlled grazing programme which may include other measures to encourage regeneration. Supplementary treatment of suppressed and eroded moorland may be included in your ESA Conservation Plan.
Agree in writing with the Project Officer when heather in the exclosure has been successfully regenerated and then immediately remove and dispose of all temporary fencing. The area must subsequently be managed in accordance with all other Tier 1C or Tier 2A prescriptions depending on the surrounding moorland's tier allocation.
Erect stiles or gateways at agreed points to permit any existing public rights of access to continue unhindered.
Erect on agreed sites suitable notices explaining to the public the purpose of the ESA moorland regeneration programme and the need for temporary fencing to be erected.
Your supplementary payment will cease when the temporary fencing has been removed.
Agronomic Impact
- Fencing, gate and stile costs net of grant.
- Loss of output from hill ewes.
- Consequential savings in labour and interest on working capital.
- Opportunities to lease out sheep quota.
- Scrub, Bracken plus Heather management costs.
- Savings in labour costs are not applicable as sheep are only excluded from limited area of the moor.
| £/ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra Income | ||
| Quota leasing | 11.9 | |
| Costs Saved | ||
| Interest on working capital 0.3GLU | 5.3 | |
| Income Lost | ||
| Loss of hill sheep gross margin 0.3GLU | 64.0 | |
| Extra Costs | ||
| Capital costs of fencing net of grant: | 20.5 | |
| Capital costs of stiles and gates | 1.1 | |
| Bracken control | 2.1 | |
| Scrub management | 7.6 | |
| Heather management | 1.1 | |
| Total | 96.5 | 17.2 |
| Income forgone | 79.3 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 750 hectares
- Income forgone
- £79.3/ha
- Current payment rate
- £90/ha
- Level of incentive
- 5.8%
- Justification for incentive
- This tier is directed at the enhancement of degraded moorland. As such it is of vital importance to the success of the ESA in achieving BAP targets.
Small woodland management and regeneration tier
Scheme Prescriptions
Adopt a programme agreed in writing with the Project Officer to enhance the conservation and landscape value of non net-income generating woodland. This will involve making and keeping the woodland stockproof and the carrying out of an ongoing programme of woodland management. Individual areas of woodland below 1 ha may be entered into this tier.
Agronomic Impact
The requirement of this tier to enclose woodland and exclude all stock will involve:
- Lamb mortality as a result of loss of shelter
- Extra feed costs
- Fencing costs net of conservation grant
- Woodland management costs
| £/ha | Losses | Gains |
| Extra Income | 0 | |
| Costs Saved | 0 | |
| Income Lost | ||
| Lamb losses | 58.9 | |
| Extra Costs | ||
| Woodland Management | 5.4 | |
| Fencing | 34.6 | |
| Hay | 12 | |
| Total | 110.8 | 0 |
| Income Forgone | 110.8 |
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 40 hectares
- Income forgone
- £110.8/ha
- Current payment rate
- £120/ha
- Level of incentive
- 8.3%
- Justification for incentive
- This tier is aimed at securing the positive management of small farm woodlands, including the Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitat of upland oakwoods.
Hedge and wall restoration supplements
Scheme Prescriptions
Prescription 3 of Tier 1A - All land.
Income Forgone Calculation - Wall Restoration
Current costs of rebuilding/restoring dry stone walls in the North Peak, vary between £20 - £26/m. Typical contractor costs are £22/m. Labour, top wiring and posts are equivalent to an extra £3.2/metre. Total cost £25/metre.
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 70km (including Conservation Plans).
- Income forgone
- £25 per metre
- Current payment rate
- £22 per metre
- Level of incentive
- N/A
Income Forgone Calculation - Hedge Restoration
Current costs of hedge restoration including a combination of laying/coppicing or gapping along with fencing and back fencing where appropriate, are £10.8/metre.
- Uptake targets to January 2002
- 5km (including Conservation Plans).
- Income forgone
- £11 per metre
- Current payment rate
- £6 per metre
- Level of incentive
- N/A
Page last modified:
17 August, 2005
Page published: 10 December, 2002