Rural Payments and Services

The aim of this item is to restore natural bank profiles, vegetation and habitats on banks which are vulnerable to erosion due to historic land use which has depleted the river bank of its natural riparian vegetation. Such areas may have been damaged by historic livestock poaching, historic livestock grazing and / or loss of large shrubs / trees or other deep rooted riparian vegetation which would otherwise naturally be present.

This item will reduce the input of fine sediments to the river, increase bank stability during flooding and have biodiversity benefits from natural habitat creation.

River banks which have been damaged by historic livestock poaching, historic grazing and / or loss of deep rooted vegetation are eligible. The land management activity that has made the bankside vulnerable to erosion must have been addressed (e.g. through fencing to protect from livestock) to be eligible for payment.

You can check if this item is available on your holding here.

You must prepare a plan showing the locations of the bank(s) you propose to restore on a 1:2500 map.

The plan must also detail the length of bank you propose to restore and the materials you propose to use.

You must protect the river bank(s) using at least one of the following:

• willow spilling
• plant roll revetment
• hurdle and coir matting
• engineered log jams

Fencing or other means of protection against damage from grazing animals must be put in place wherever live trees have been used.

You must have completed all the necessary pre-works assessments and designs, and obtained all relevant permissions / approvals, prior to commencing the works and submitted these with the claim.

You can claim:

• willow spilling – £185 per metre
• plant roll revetment – £210 per metre
• hurdle and coir matting – £65 per metre
• engineered log jams payment will be made on actual costs, up to a maximum of £210 per metre

There are separate management options to support the restoration of river banks:

• Water Margins in Grassland Fields
• Grass Strips in Arable Fields
  

The inspectors will check:

• the location and extent of the work
• you have re-profiled the river bank(s) using at least one of the following:
  - willow spilling
  - plant roll revetment
  - hurdle and coir matting
  - engineered log jams

Supporting guidance is available for this item.

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