Control of Scrub or Woody Vegetation – Primary treatment – Intermediate and Heavy Vegetation

Date published: 21 December, 2015

To see recent changes to this guidance, check the bottom of this page.

The aim of this item is to benefit a variety of habitats where scrub is invading a sensitive site.

Although scrub is a valuable habitat, there are cases where it can have a negative effect on the underlying habitats.

Scrub can draw water out of the peatlands and wetlands, and intercept rainfall further drying out the habitat. It can also shade out plants in species rich grasslands.

Control can be undertaken by cutting, flailing, hand pulling, spraying or stem injection.

Any land where either intermediate or heavy scrub is invading a valuable habitat, or where the work will benefit a Scheduled Monument, is eligible.

This item must be combined with one of the following options, unless you have prior approval otherwise from Scottish Natural Heritage:

You must prepare a scrub control plan.

The plan must include a map and photographs showing:

  • the extent of the scrub
  • the density of the scrub (light, medium or heavy – for definitions, see the supporting guidance)
  • the areas to be treated
  • the type of management you propose (chemical, mechanical or manual)
  • the timing of treatment
  • whether or not cut material will be removed

The plan must also detail any proposed follow-up control.

  • you must control the scrub by either:
    - cutting the scrub as low as possible to the ground level or
    - treating the scrub with glyphosate or
    - manually pulling, if you have prior approval to in your plan or
    - mechanically uprooting, if you have prior approval to in your plan
  • if cutting, you must treat cut stumps with glyphosate
  • if spraying within one metre of the top of the bank of a watercourse, near water, you, or your spray operator must have Scottish Environment Protection Agency authorisation. You must retain a copy of this authorisation
  • if cutting you must undertake scrub control work between 1 August and the end of February
  • you must maintain a diary
  • you must keep photographic evidence of the site before and after treatment as part of your claim

You can claim:

  • intermediate vegetation: £1,300 per hectare treated
  • heavy vegetation: £2,000 per hectare treated

You may apply for payment on an actual cost basis for this item if the work you are proposing to carry out will benefit the notified features of a designated site, and where there are exceptional circumstances. This can include works which offer a dual benefit to both the environment and the long term management of a Scheduled Monument located within the designated site (Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Natura sites)

This item may be combined with the following capital items:

The inspectors will check:

  • the location and extent of the work
  • you must control the area as detailed in your scrub control plan
  • if cutting you have undertaken scrub control work between 1 August and the end of February
  • you have maintained a diary which includes photographic evidence of the site before and after treatment

Section Change Previous text New text
EligibilityAddition of information on Scheduled Monuments.Any land where either intermediate or heavy scrub is invading a valuable habitat is eligible.Any land where either intermediate or heavy scrub is invading a valuable habitat, or where the work will benefit a Scheduled Monument, is eligible.

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