HS5: Management of historic and archaeological features on grassland

What is HS5?

HS5 is an action under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme. It pays £55 per year for management of historic and archaeological features on grassland.

What do I need to do?

* Do not plough, cultivate, re-seed, harrow, or roll the features.

* Do not apply supplementary feed on or within 6m of the feature.

* Do not locate vehicle or stock access routes within 6m of the feature (existing surfaced tracks are permitted).

What evidence do I need?

Where there is uncertainty about whether the aims of the options have been delivered, we will take into account any records or evidence you may have kept demonstrating delivery of the aims of the option. This will include any steps you’ve taken to follow the recommended management set out above. It’s your responsibility to keep such records if you want to rely on these to support your claim.

Field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices

A map of existing tracks - this can be marked on any map including the Farm Environment Record (FER)

Where there is uncertainty about whether the aims of the options have been delivered, we will take into account any records or evidence you may have kept demonstrating delivery of the aims of the option. This will include any steps you’ve taken to follow the recommended management set out above. It’s your responsibility to keep such records if you want to rely on these to support your claim.

* Field operations at the parcel level, including associated invoices

How much does HS5 pay?

HS5 pays £55 per year.

Which land is eligible?

Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier. Only on historic and archaeological features on parcels of permanent grassland The permanent grassland may form a mosaic with other vegetation types, such as heathland and moorland On land parcels of more than 15 hectares (ha) above the moorland line

SFI HS5: Management of historic and archaeological features on grassland