Appendix 1 - Land management options - Historic
- Arable reversion by natural regeneration HD7
- Crop establishment by direct drilling (non-rotational) HD6
- Maintaining high water levels to protect archaeology HD8
- Maintenance of designed/engineered water bodies HD9
- Maintenance of traditional water meadows HD10
- Restoration of traditional water meadows HD11
For each option, overall aims, management requirements and relationships with ELS and OELS options are explained. The exact management requirements for each option, including optional prescriptions, will be negotiated with you, and then included in your agreement. The prescriptions text between square brackets may be changed by advisers to suit particular situations and management needs.
Where HLS options can be located with ELS or OELS options this is highlighted at the end of the text describing the options, see below.
Archaeological features such as hill forts, burial chambers, hollow ways, ridge and furrow, sheep washes and World War II defensive structures all contribute to our rich historical heritage and landscape. They are also often of ecological value, enriching landscape diversity and providing wildlife habitat. These features are an important record of our cultural development and where they occur on agricultural land in significant concentrations, or are distinctive, it is important to protect and preserve them. Many features of archaeological interest are protected and preserved in wetlands with high water levels.
These options will protect the features from further damage or erosion. Provision of interpretation, permissive access and/or educational visits are encouraged on suitable sites.
Arable reversion by natural regeneration HD7
This option protects sub-surface archaeological features from damage due to cultivation by establishing permanent grassland on arable, set-aside or grass leys through natural regeneration. It is targeted at protecting features at risk of damage through the standard method of grassland establishment which would involve some form of cultivation such as ploughing. This option may also help to protect soils from erosion and reduce diffuse pollution.
Management will include: allowing the sward to establish by natural regeneration; managing the sward by grazing or topping during the first year or so to encourage tillering of the grasses. Once established the sward should be managed by grazing or cutting for hay. Any activities that would damage the sward must be avoided.
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Crop establishment by direct drilling (non-rotational) HD6
This option allows annual crops to be direct drilled, to protect archaeological features just below the surface from damage by ploughing or other deep cultivation. Because of the damage caused by the deep root systems of some crops and from harvesting operations, certain crops may not be grown under this option. It is targeted at sites where the field cannot be removed from arable cropping.
Management includes: no growing of root crops, maize or energy crops; direct drilling all crops at a depth no greater than 30 mm; no cultivation, sub-soiling, deep ploughing or mole ploughing. Care must be taken to direct drill only in dry soil conditions to avoid compaction or rutting.
This option can be located on the same land as ELS or OELS option J1 without reducing your HLS payment.
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Maintaining high water levels to protect archaeology HD8
Features of archaeological interest that are protected and preserved in wetlands are vulnerable to drainage and agricultural improvement. This option maintains current high water levels to protect underlying archaeological features from desiccation. The option may also help to protect vulnerable soils from erosion, reduce diffuse pollution and maintain the landscape character of the area.
Management includes: maintaining the water levels at no more than 30 cm below the surface at all times of the year; avoiding field operations and stocking when the land is wet as this can cause compaction and damage to sub-surface features; no ploughing, sub-surface cultivation, re-seeding, chain harrowing or rolling. The development of reeds, large sedges or scrub should also be prevented.
This option can be located on the same land as ELS or OELS options K2, K3, K4, L2, L3, L4 and L5 without reducing your HLS payment.
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Maintenance of designed/engineered water bodies HD9
Designed or engineered water bodies such as millponds and formal water features enhance the distinctive historic and landscape character of the area and can provide valuable habitats for wildlife. This option maintains both the designed or engineered water body and the associated features such as dams, retaining walls and sluices.
Management will be tailored to the individual feature but may include: annual maintenance inspections of masonry, brickwork, pointing or engineering structures; regular maintenance to avoid decay or deterioration of the fabric; use of traditional materials, techniques and craftsmanship.
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Maintenance of traditional water meadows HD10
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Restoration of traditional water meadows HD11
Water meadows were an important component of the distinctive historic and landscape character in parts of southern England. They also provide valuable habitats for wildlife. Water levels in traditionally managed water meadows, including catch meadows, are controlled using sluices and hatches, a process known as floating or drowning the meadow.
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These options maintain or restore traditional management on water meadows.
Management will include floating or drowning the water meadow for an agreed period of time each year. Gutters, carriers or channels should be maintained to encourage an even film of water approximately 25 mm deep to flow over the sward. Once the land has dried out, the meadow will be managed by grazing and/or by hay cutting. Particular care must be taken to ensure that field operations and stocking do not damage the soil structure or cause heavy poaching especially when the land is waterlogged.
To restore the water meadows you may need to restore water control structures and associated gutters, carriers and other channels. Scrub clearance and coppicing of bank side trees may also be required. These works may be funded by a Capital Works Plan or may form a capital special project. This option can be located on the same land as ELS or OELS options K2, K3 and K4 but will reduce your HLS payment.
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Page last modified:
21 March, 2006
Page published: 3 March, 2005