WT9: Creation of fen

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the creation of fen option.

From:
Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
Published
2 April 2015
Last updated
4 January 2024 — See all updates
Grant type:
Option
Land use:
Biodiversity, Flood risk, Priority habitats and Uplands
Tiers or standalone items:
Higher Tier
Funding (per unit per year):
More than £500

How much will be paid

£1,605 per hectare (ha).

How long this option lasts

This option lasts for 10 years, instead of the standard 5 years for the grant scheme.

Where to use this option

It is available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier on whole or part-parcels on:

  • arable land, temporary grassland, improved permanent grassland
  • other wetland habitat that is in poor condition if approved by a specialist
  • land with an suitable and adequate water supply - suitable sites are usually underlain by peat but can also be on slopes with a groundwater outflow

Where this option cannot be used

  • On existing wetland habitat, unless existing wetland is in poor condition and the work is agreed by a specialist
  • On areas of open water 1ha or more in area

Features that can be included in this option

You can include the following features if they are part of the land, even if they are not eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS):

  • areas of open water up to 1 ha

How this option will benefit the environment

It will help create new areas of fen priority habitat on land with low wildlife value, particularly around existing wetland habitats.

If successful this option will create predominantly open fen vegetation, with occasional scrub. There may be small open water features along ditch lines, water tracks and ponded areas. High water levels will be sustained by a natural, unpolluted water supply which will support a diverse range of target fen species.

Requirements

You must:

  • undertake any ground works in accordance with an agreed plan
  • manage water levels and water supply
  • establish fen vegetation
  • maintain any culverts, sluices or bunds
  • manage scrub and vegetation to maintain a predominantly open habitat
  • manage scrub and opportunistic species to assist fen establishment
  • dispose of cut material appropriately

The agreement will set out what must not be done. It is likely you will not be allowed to:

  • apply fertilisers or manures
  • use pesticides or herbicides, except to spot-treat or weed-wipe for the control injurious weeds and invasive non-native species

Keeping records

On your annual claim you will be asked to declare that you have not carried out any activities prohibited by the option requirements.

You must keep the following records and supply them on request:

  • receipted invoices, consents or permissions connected with the work
  • records of all management activity on the option area for each parcel
  • photographs of the completed work

The detailed requirements for this option will be tailored to the Higher Tier site. You should discuss and agree these requirements with your adviser.

You can locate the following options and supplements on the same area as this option:

Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this option

The following advice is helpful, but they are not requirements for this item.

Fen is a diverse habitat type with different fen types depending on factors such as water chemistry, soil type, fertility, position in the landscape and historical management.

To create fen appropriately consider the location and landscape setting. Identify the type of fen the option is aiming to create and set objectives and management appropriately.

Decide how best to create fens by taking into account:

  • how and where it sits in the wider landscape
  • how past modification and management have influenced the fen and the wildlife it supports
  • how the fen is supplied with water and how it drains.
  • other landscape and management constraints such as flood risk, historic environment and landscape impact

Small fen sites are usually fragments of much larger wetlands and semi-natural landscapes so look for opportunities to extend and buffer existing fens by:

  • re-wetting areas with drained peat next to them
  • blocking or in-filling pipes or ditches that intercept springs or drain the fen

Account for the surroundings and neighbouring habitats to plan more coherent wetland units. Habitats can include lowland raised bog, wet grassland or wet woodland.

The character and condition of a fen is largely determined by water that comes from its catchment. Therefore it is important that surrounding land is managed sympathetically and in ways that will not damage the fen through pollution by nutrients or sediment runoff.

Feasibility and impact should be fully assessed in advance and all appropriate advice and permissions obtained. A detailed implementation plan or feasibility study for the works should be agreed with Natural England.

If the proposed management involves raising water levels, applicants should contact the Environment Agency before applying for this item.

Biodiversity

This option has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.

The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.

Further information

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Higher Tier including how to apply.

Updates to this page

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 4 January 2024 + show all updates

  1. Update to How Much Is Paid

  2. New payment rate from 1 January 2022.

  3. Page refreshed and updated.

  4. Updated for 2017 applications.

  5. Information updated for applications in 2016.

  6. First published.

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