Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems – Swales
This is an old version of the page
This is an old version of the page
Date published: 5 January, 2016
Date superseded: 11 March, 2016
To see recent changes to this guidance, check the bottom of this page.
Aim
The aim of this item is to improve water quality by creating a strategically placed swale to slow, treat and control run-off that currently discharges direct to a watercourse or freshwater drain and to direct flow to a point (e.g. a pond) where it can be safely discharged.
Eligibility
Any land is eligible, provided that it meets all of the requirements set out below.
Spatial targeting
You can check if this item is available on your holding here.
Application requirements
You must prepare a plan which must include a map of the relevant fields / steading identifying the location of the rural sustainable drainage system feature.
Requirements
- only run-off which does not fall within the definition of slurry may be conveyed to a swale *
- run-off from pesticide handling or washdown areas must not be conveyed to a swale
* Unless the run-off is being conveyed to a constructed farm wetland designed in accordance with the Constructed Farm Wetland Design Manual – Scottish Environment Protection Agency / Northern Ireland Environment Agency – 2008.
Payment
You can claim £21.75 per square metre (excluding fencing).
Inspections
The inspectors will check:
- the location and extent of the swale
- that only run-off which does not fall within the definition of slurry is conveyed to a swale *
- that run-off from pesticide handling or wash-down areas is not conveyed to a swale
* Unless the run-off is being conveyed to a constructed farm wetland designed in accordance with the Constructed Farm Wetland Design Manual – Scottish Environment Protection Agency / Northern Ireland Environment Agency – 2008.
Additional guidance
Recent changes
| Section | Change | Previous text | New text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Amendment to eligibility criteria. | The land must be within a diffuse pollution priority catchment or focus area (unless an endorsement has been obtained from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency) or a flooding target area. | Any land is eligible, provided that it meets all of the requirements set out below. |
| Spatial targeting | Updated target area map. | - | - |
| Sentence removed from caption below the PDF. | It may be possible to apply for this option outside this area where there is strong justification as endorsed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. | - | |
| Requirement | Clarification on run-off that isn't defined as slurry. | - | * Unless the run-off is being conveyed to a constructed farm wetland designed in accordance with the Constructed Farm Wetland Design Manual – Scottish Environment Protection Agency / Northern Ireland Environment Agency – 2008. |
| Inspections | Clarification on run-off that isn't defined as slurry. | - | * Unless the run-off is being conveyed to a constructed farm wetland designed in accordance with the Constructed Farm Wetland Design Manual – Scottish Environment Protection Agency / Northern Ireland Environment Agency – 2008. |
Previous versions
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