WN3: Ditch, dyke and rhine restoration
What is WN3?
WN3 is an action under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme. It pays £5.72 per year for ditch, dyke and rhine restoration.
What do I need to do?
* Carry out restoration work between 1 July and 28 February (exact timing determined by pre-application assessment)
* Only re-profile or cut deeper than the original profile by agreement with your adviser
* If re-profiling, create a variety of depths (typically 70cm to 100cm) and slopes (typically 30 to 45 degrees)
* Work from one bank in an upstream direction, restoring half the ditch or alternate 100m sections
* Retain any in-channel features such as gravel beds, riffles and natural meanders
What evidence do I need?
You must keep and provide with your claim:
photographs of the completed work
any advice, consents or permissions from the Environment Agency, internal drainage board, lead local flood authority or Historic England
* the assessment of the existing biological interest of the site
You must also keep and provide on request:
How much does WN3 pay?
WN3 pays £5.72 per year.
Which land is eligible?
Use this item on ditches that have silted up through neglect and have channels that need clearing and banks reprofiling. You can also use this item to prevent the degradation of historic environment features and waterlogged archaeological deposits by helping to support high water levels.
Related links
This information is provided by Farmwalk based on published government guidance. Always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK.