SB2: Scrub control - difficult sites

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the scrub control - difficult sites item.

• From: Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
• Published: 2 April 2015
• Last updated: 14 February 2023 — See all updates

• Grant type: Capital item
• Land use: Uplands and Vegetation control
• Tiers or standalone items: Higher Tier and Standalone capital items
• Funding (per unit per year): More than 50% actual costs

How much will be paid

Up to 80% of actual costs.

Where to use this item

It is available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier and Higher Tier Capital Grants only on sites that either:

• need specialist operations or machinery, with costs that cannot be covered by the scheme’s fixed-rate scrub control payments - this includes sensitive habitats and areas with difficult or hazardous working conditions, such as steep slopes, bogs and islands, or
• have it as a requirement of an approved Forestry Commission woodland management plan

You can also use this item on the same area as TE12: stump grinding and WD2: woodland improvement.

Where this item cannot be used

• To control dwarf and western gorse, as these are key parts of heathland
• To manage scrub by grazing

Requirements

You must:

• send at least 3 written quotations for completing the work to Natural England or the Forestry Commission - quotes must identify associated costs
• carry out scrub control during the autumn and winter
• follow guidance on what to do with any stumps and how to dispose of cut material
• control re-growth

Keeping records

You must send the following with your application:

• 3 quotes for completion of the work

You must keep the following records and supply them with your annual payment claim:

• receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
• photographs of the completed work

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

• any consents or permissions connected with the work
• records of when the scrub control was carried out
• a record of any pesticide or herbicide treatments, including dates and locations
• a Forestry Commission approved Woodland Management Plan or a Natural England approved implementation plan, if relevant
• photographs of site before works start
• item specification, if required

Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Higher Tier or Higher Tier Capital Grants guidance for more detail. You can find the latest guidance at Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage.

Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this item

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

Management

Cut scrub to ground level. Don’t disturb the roots or leave protruding stems.   

For stump removal use the TE12 - Stump grinding.

Further information

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

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 14 February 2023 + show all updates

1. 13 February 2023

   This item is now available for Higher Tier Capital Grants

2. 11 February 2020

   The Keeping records section of this page has been updated

3. 8 March 2017

   Updated for 2017 applications.

4. 29 March 2016

   Information updated for applications in 2016

5. 2 April 2015

   First published.