Natural England have just announced that the payment rates for a number of HLS capital items are being revised as a result of the introduction of similar options within Uplands ELS. These new rates have now been approved by the EU and will be implemented from 1st July 2010. The revised rates will be applied to
- new HLS agreements starting from 1st July 2010 and
- to existing HLS agreements from their five year break point.
While the NFU welcome the increased payment rates they will not benefit existing agreement holders because they will not be applied retrospectively to existing HLS capital works until they reach their 5-year break point. Those currently intending to enter HLS for the first time may also wish to take into consideration the relative timing of the start date of their new HLS agreement and how this fits in with the implementation date of these new higher rates. The relative impact of the increased payment rates will depend on the size and types of capital works planned. The capital works being revised are set out in the table below
Item description
|
Item code
|
Current payment rate
|
New payment rate
|
Hedgerow restoration including laying, coppicing and gapping up
|
HR
|
£5.00/m
|
£7.00/m
|
Stone wall restoration
|
WR
|
£16.00/m
|
£30.00/m
|
Stone-faced hedge bank restoration
|
BS
|
£34.00/m
|
£55.00/m
|
Earth bank restoration
|
ER
|
£3.00/m
|
£10.10/m
|
Sheep fencing
|
FSB/H
|
£1.80/m
|
£2.50/m
|
Post and wire fencing
|
FW/B
|
£1.20/m
|
£2.50/m
|
Grip blocking drainage channels
|
GBC
|
£3.40 per block
|
£4.30 per block
|
Natural England have provided a Q & A which can be downloaded by clicking the document opposite.
No comments have been made.