Find out about eligibility and requirements for the hedgerow gapping-up item.

Make sure plants are:

2-year-old transplants

between 450 millimetres (mm) and 600mm high

native species, with no single species making up more than 70% of the total

planted in 2 rows 40 centimetres (cm) apart that are staggered with at least 6 plants per metre

kept clear of weeds until they‘re established

You must not obstruct or block entry points to open access land.

You must keep photographs of the completed work and provide with your claim.

You must also keep and provide on request:

any consents or permissions connected with the work

receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable

the date, location and method of any weed control carried out

the dates of planting

details of age, height and species planted

a photograph of each length of hedge entered into the item before work starts

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide.

BN7 pays £17.22 per year.

See GOV.UK guidance for full eligibility details and land use requirements.

This information is provided by Farmwalk based on published government guidance. Always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK.