Restoring (Protecting) River Banks

This is an old version of the page

Date published: 30 March, 2015

Date superseded: 19 January, 2017

The aim of this item is to restore natural bank profiles, vegetation and habitats on banks which have been damaged by historic livestock poaching and grazing.

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 and / or grazing are eligible.

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 re-profile the river bank(s) using at least one of the following:

  • willow spilling
  • plant roll revetment
  • hurdle and coir matting
  • engineered log jams, where the design has been approved by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency

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:

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, where the design has been approved by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency

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