Section 3 - How to complete your application form
- 3.1 What do I need to apply for HLS?
- 3.2 How to complete your application form
- 3.3 How to complete annexes 2 to 5 of the application form
- 3.4 How to complete your HLS options map
- 3.5 Do I need to submit a management plan?
- 3.6 Declarations and undertakings
- 3.7 What will I receive if my application has been successful?
Step by step summary of the HLS application process
- For information on how to obtain your pre-filled application form and maps you should refer to your ELS or OELS handbooks (inside front cover).
- If you do not already have an ELS or OELS agreement, carry out a Farm Environment Record.
- Prepare a Farm Environment Plan for all your farm.
You may need to hire a 'consultant' to do this work for you. - Using the recommendations from the FEP and the targeting statement for your area, consider the most appropriate HLS options for your land.
- Choose from the list of ELS or OELS, and HLS options and complete annexes 1 and 2 of your application form. Include enough ELS or OELS options to meet your points targets, even if you already have an existing ELS or OELS agreement.
Mark the HLS options on your HLS options map. ELS and OELS options are marked on the ELS/OELS options map.
- Choose your HLS rotational options and complete annex 3. These do not have to be marked on a map.
- Choose the capital works that you wish to do in the first three years, and complete annex 4.
Mark these on your HLS options map.
- List all your permanent grassland fields and the total area of temporary grassland in annex 5 and calculate the maximum stocking density.
- Make sure you have read and understood all the terms and conditions contained in this handbook and your ELS or OELS handbook. Submit your application to your RDS office.
- If you achieve the required threshold scores based on information supplied in the FEP and your application, you will be visited by an RDS adviser to discuss the content of the proposed agreement. If successful, an agreement offer will be sent to you for signature.
Unless you are applying for an HLS only agreement (see section 1.1.3), you must also apply for ELS or OELS options using a combined application form. If you already have an ELS or OELS agreement, you need to re-apply for these options when you apply for HLS.
3.1 What do I need to apply for HLS?
- A personalised application form which will have been pre-filled with information about you and your land, including RLR field numbers and areas.
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Your application maps:
- Environmental Information Maps showing designations on your holding such as SSSIs, Scheduled Monuments and Less Favoured Areas. This will allow you to identify high priority features on your holding which would benefit from the introduction of some of the options.
- Farm Environment Record (FER) and Farm Environment Plan (FEP) Map This map of your land should be used to prepare your combined FER and FEP map, and should be returned with your application form.
- Guidance for entering features on to your FER map is provided at section 2.3.2, of your ELS or OELS handbook. The completion of this map will earn points towards the ELS or OELS part of your HLS application. This completed map is also used for showing the features identified in your FEP. If someone else will be carrying out your FEP, you will need to provide them with your FER map.
- ELS or OELS Options Map This map should be used to mark where you are putting your ELS or OELS options on your land.
- HLS Options Map This map should be used to show where you are putting your HLS options on your land. These will usually include both the land management options and any capital works that you intend to carry out during the first two or three years of your agreement. This map should also be returned with your application form.
- A completed FEP form, see the FEP handbook for further details.
If you have not received the pre-filled application form and maps described below, you must make sure all your eligible land is registered on the RLR and then ask your RDS office to send you the necessary documents and maps. Defra will not be able to accept applications on forms which have not been pre-filled.
3.2 How to complete your application form
To complete your ELS/HLS or OELS/HLS application form you will need to refer to guidance given at section 2 of the ELS or OELS handbooks, as well as this HLS handbook. Please read these handbooks in their entirety to ensure you are fully aware of all aspects of the application process.
Table 1 identifies which sections of each handbook provide further guidance on completing the application form.
3.3 How to complete annexes 2 to 5 of the application form
Guidance on completing these annexes is provided below.
| Application form section number | ELS/HLS applications - handbook and section | OELS/HLS applications - handbook and section | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 1 | |||
| 1 | Pre-filled | Pre-filled | |
| 2 | This can be used if you need to provide details of an additional contact name and address | This can be used if you need to provide details of an additional contact name and address | |
| 3 | ELS 1.2.2 | OELS 1.2.2 | |
| 4 | Self-explanatory | Self-explanatory | |
| 5 | Self-explanatory | Self-explanatory | |
| 6 | ELS 1.3.9 | OELS 1.3.10 | |
| Section 2 | |||
| 7 | Self-explanatory | Self-explanatory | |
| 8 | HLS 1.3.3 | HLS 1.3.3 | |
| 9 | ELS 1.2.3 | OELS 1.2.3 | |
| 10 | HLS 1.2.5 | HLS 1.2.5 | |
| 11 | ELS 2.3.2 | OELS 2.3.2 | |
| HLS 2.1 | HLS 2.1 | ||
| 12 | ELS 2.3.3 | OELS 2.3.3 | |
| 13 | HLS 1.2.3 | OELS 1.3.3 | |
| 14 | HLS 1.2.8 | Self-explanatory | |
| 15 | If your application is any way linked to or dependent on anotherapplication or an existing agreement, please provide details | HLS 1.2.3 | |
| 16 | HLS 3.5 | HLS 1.2.8 | |
| 17 | HLS 5.8 | If your application is any way linked to or dependent on another application or an existing agreement, please provide details | |
| 18 | HLS 3.5 HLS 5.9 |
HLS 3.5 | |
| 19 | HLS 1.3.8 | HLS 5.8 | |
| 20 | HLS 1.1.3 | HLS 3.5 HLS 5.9 |
|
| 21 | - | HLS 1.3.8 | |
| 22 | - | HLS 1.1.3 | |
| Section 3 | OELS 2.3.5 | OELS 2.3.5 | |
| Section 4 | HLS 3.3 | OELS 2.3.8 | |
| Section 5 | Self-explanatory | HLS 3.3 | |
| Section 6 | - | Self-explanatory | |
| Annex 1 | ELS 2.3.4 | - | |
| Annex 1a | - | OELS 2.3.6 | |
| Annex 1b | - | OELS 2.3.8 | |
| Annexes 2-5 | See examples below | ||
| How to complete annex 2, your Field Data Sheet (ELS and HLS non-rotational options within fields) |  |
| How to complete annex 3 (HLS rotational, management plan and access base payment options). |  |
| How to complete annex 4 for HLS capital works - To record HLS capital works follow steps A to G |  |
| How to complete annex 5 for grassland area and stocking - Follow steps A – D |  |
3.4 How to complete your HLS options map
An example HLS options map is included at the back of this handbook.
For each option you wish to include in your HLS agreement you must:
- Decide where the option is to be located on your land (you may decide you want to have the option in more than one location).
- Mark every instance of the option with a coloured pencil on your HLS Options Map(s) using the appropriate colour for that option specified in the map key. Do not mark rotational and management plan options - these are recorded separately on the Field Data Sheet (annex 3 of the application form).
- Mark any capital works on the same map. See section 5 for information on how to choose your capital works.
- Write the appropriate option code, using a fine black pen, on or against the option in each place that you have marked it on your HLS Options Map(s).
3.5 Do I need to submit a management plan?
In ELS and OELS there are options which require the preparation of management plans for soils, nutrients, manures and crop protection (see section 3 of your ELS or OELS handbook). In HLS, in the great majority of cases, the FEP should provide the necessary information on which to base the agreement. The need for HLS management plans is therefore restricted to those complex situations which require a thorough evaluation of the current condition and future potential of the feature, together with detailed recommendations for implementing proposed management. In addition, there are situations where a comparatively simple (one day) implementation plan may be needed.
3.5.1 Detailed management plan to support the design of an HLS agreement
We recognise that in a few specific cases, the FEP will not be able to provide the level of detail required to inform the design, and/or feasibility, of an agreement. Instead a detailed plan is required which involves professional advice. This plan would usually be carried out through a one-year stand-alone agreement, which could then be followed by a ten year HLS agreement, if appropriate. In addition to a thorough survey and an assessment of feasibility, the plan should suggest all the HLS options and capital items required to deliver the optimum management. In certain cases it may be necessary to undertake the recommended work (e.g. building restoration) through a special project (see section 5.8). Payment is for specialist advice required over and above that which could be provided by the FEP. Typically this is for situations such as:
- historic parkland restoration
- inter-tidal and major wetland creation and restoration
- traditional building or historic structure restoration
- the management of poorly known rare species or those of very restricted distribution
If your application is likely to involve any of these situations, please discuss them with your RDS adviser before drawing up your application.
Once the need for a plan and its details have been agreed with RDS, you will be paid a contribution for the cost of employing professional help to prepare the management plan. Your RDS adviser will confirm the required content of the plan (detailed guidance notes are usually available).
3.5.2 Implementation Plan
In some situations plans may be commissioned to refine certain aspects, such as scrub and bracken management, heath/moor burning, resource protection works or large scale field boundary network restoration. These implementation plans will normally be prepared at the start of your agreement, and will then form part of your agreement. Your RDS adviser will explain if one of these plans is needed and whether funding is available through a Capital Works Plan.
3.6 Declarations and undertakings
You will need to study Sections 2 and 5 of the application form as these contain important declarations and undertakings which will be binding for the duration of your agreement. If you are at all uncertain about your ability to comply with these undertakings, please do not sign the application form until you have discussed your concerns with your RDS adviser. Please also read section 2.3.7 of your ELS handbook or section 2.3.12 of your OELS handbook.
Please read, complete and sign the declaration in your application form.
Please return the following to your RDS office in the envelope provided with your application form:
- Your completed and signed application form
- Annexes 1 to 5 of your application form
- Your Farm Environment Plan and combined FER and FEP Map
- Your ELS or OELS Options Map marked with the options you have chosen
- Your HLS Options Map marked with the options you have chosen
- Where your application includes organically managed land, copies of your current, valid, certificates of organic registration and accompanying schedules issued by your Organic Inspection Body, covering all the land in your organic unit
Where applicable, you will also need to include:
- Consents from other organisations (see section 1.3.9)
- Management plans (see section 3.5)
You are advised to retain a copy of all these documents, before sending them to RDS.
3.7 What will I receive if my application has been successful?
Your agreement document will include the following sections:
Part 1 will provide details of your annual ELS or OELS payments, where appropriate, including 'Conversion Aid' payments on land in OELS.
Part 2 will be a data sheet showing options, points and payments for your ELS or OELS and HLS options.
Part 3 will describe the management required for each HLS option you have chosen, what you can and cannot do, and what will be the 'indicators of success'.
Part 4 will include, if applicable, your Capital Works Plan. The works to be carried out will usually be scheduled over a two or three year period.
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Part 5 will provide specifications, if applicable, for the minimum standard of work for items in your Capital Works Plan.
Part 6 will list all your fields under permanent grass and the total area of temporary grass, along with the permitted maximum stocking density for your land.
Part 7 will be maps showing the location of your ELS or OELS and HLS options.
In addition you will receive:
Any relevant Environmental Stewardship Guidance Notes, which will provide additional guidance on various land management issues. If you need more information on any particular topic, please ask your RDS adviser.
Page last modified:
30 June, 2005
Page published: 3 March, 2005