Farm Environment Plan
- Introduction
- How to Get Started
- The eFEP (revised version)
- Additional Guidance Materials for Surveyors
- Guidance on submitting completed FEPs
Introduction
The Farm Environment Plan (FEP) is a structured survey of all environmental features on a farm and is a pre-requisite for the Higher Level Scheme (HLS). Completing a FEP involves identifying any features of historical, wildlife, resource protection, access and landscape interest; and making an assessment of their condition. This will then help to determine a suitable level of management which could be achieved through HLS. It will also consider the potential for creating environmental features and habitats; improving public access and managing land for flood management and natural resource protection.
HLS applications must be accompanied by a completed FEP. If a FEP is completed to our quality standards and is submitted with a valid HLS application then we will make a payment for it.
As a FEP is a detailed study, many applicants will choose to employ a consultant to carry out a FEP on their behalf.
How to get started
You must get an HLS application pack from your local Natural England office before starting work on a FEP. This pack will include a FEP form that has been personalised with the applicant's name, farm details and HLS application number; a map for you to annotate with the farm's FEP features and a map or maps of your farm showing the environmental information that we already hold.
You will also be sent a printed copy of the FEP guidance handbook. It is essential that the surveyor is familiar with this guidance before starting work on a FEP.
Natural England are running free training workshops for FEP surveyors, please contact local Natural England office for details of events in your area.
The eFEP
The e-FEP is a simple electronic version of the paper FEP form. Since February 2006 this form has been provided in two parts, which have been created using both Excel and Adobe Acrobat software.
The e-FEP is designed to provide assistance in the selection and use of reference data e.g. feature and JCA data. In addition it also performs some basic checking of the information entered. Please see the FEP handbook for full instructions on how to complete a FEP.
See e-FEP: Guidance for customers for details on how to download, complete and submit an eFEP.
Further information is also available on the e-FEP: Tips for completion webpage and the e-FEP Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
FEP handbook
- Section 1 - Introduction
- Section 2 - How to carry out a FEP
- Section 3 - Detailed guidance on completing the FEP form
- Section 4 - Technical guidance
- Appendix 1: Defra quality control
- Appendix 2: Standard letter for HER consultation
- Appendix 3:
Index of features
- Download the latest printed
version of the handbook
![[Click to download Adobe Acrobat Reader]](/graphics/buttons/pdf.gif)
[900KB]
Additional Guidance Materials for Surveyors
One of the objectives of HLS is to enhance and protect our varied landscapes. In order to do this we need an assessment of the character and quality of the landscape around your farm. This will ensure that the management carried out under HLS will benefit the unique landscape in your surrounding area. We have provided additional information on this website to help you carry out this assessment
We have created more detailed guidance notes on the following topics to aid the surveyor that build on the guidance in the FEP handbook.
Guidance documents to download
- ESF001
- Hedgerow Woody Species[49KB]
- Controlling soil erosion - A manual for the assessment and management of agricultural land at risk of water erosion in lowland England
[641KB]
- Controlling soil erosion - wind erosion
[818KB]
- ESF004 -
Native Breeds at Risk[56KB]
- ESF005
- Condition assessment for Hedgerows and Ancient and/or Species Rich Hedgerows (F01 and F02)[358KB]
- ESF006
- Condition Assessment: F07 – Stone Wall[252KB]
- ESF007 -
Plant & Animal Species in the Farm Environment Plan (FEP)[377KB]
- ESF008 - Identification
of Grassland Features[158KB]
- Arable reversion
to species-rich grassland: Site selection and choice of methods (TAN
21)[263KB]
- Sward enhancement:
Selection of suitable sites (TAN 26)[255KB]
- ESF009 - Identifying Ancient Trees[84KB]
- ESF010 - Identifying lowland wet grassland[111KB]
- ESF011 - Identifying upland wet grassland[120KB]
We have also produced a range of guides to help land managers.
Related links
- For more information on these sites see section 2.5.3 of the guidance handbook
- Natural England's environmental mapping website - which also shows priority catchments
- Government environment data - eg soils and designations
- Local record centres
- UK BAP website
- National Biodiversity Network
- Countryside Access - for information on Open Access areas
- The Landscape Character Network - for information on local landscape assessments
- Environment Agency - information on what's 'In Your Backyard'
FEP Newsletter
Sharing lessons that we have learnt in the early stages of HLS
Guidance on submitting completed FEPs
Electronic forms
The electronic version of the FEP form contains an automated process for setting up an email to us with the completed form as an attachment. All you need to do is follow the guidance on the form connected to the ‘Submit FEP Form’ button.
However you will still need to send us copies of the completed FER/FEP map and other documentation (i.e. HER consultation response). These should be clearly marked with the applicant’s name and HLS application reference number and sent to your local Natural England office.
Paper forms
These should be posted to your local Natural England office with the accompanying FER/FEP map and other documentation (i.e. HER consultation response). These should be clearly marked with the applicant’s name and HLS application reference number.
Page last modified:
3 November, 2006
Page published: 3 March, 2005