Rural Payments and Services

The aim of this item is to benefit areas of land adjacent to sand dunes at risk from wind erosion.

Planting grasses such as Marram grass act to reduce wind speeds across the dune surface, thereby trapping and holding sand. Their fibrous, horizontal roots also help to hold and stabilise the sand.

Land that includes coastal sand dunes is eligible.

You must combine this item with the Sand-blow Fencing item.

You must provide evidence from Scottish Natural Heritage that the dunes they are proposing to repair will benefit and that the area where they propose to take transplant plants from is suitable.

You must prepare a map showing the area you plan to transplant plants from, and the area you propose to plant.

• you must erect sand-blow fencing before planting
• you must plant the grass in off-set rows at a minimum of four plants per square metre
• any plants that fail to establish must be replaced
• you must exclude livestock and vehicles from the planted area
• you must maintain a diary

You can claim £13.13 per square metre planted.

The inspectors will check:

• the location and extent of the work
• you have erected sand-blow fencing before planting
• you have planted the grass in off-set rows at a minimum of four plants per square metre
• any plants that fail to establish have been replaced
• you have excluded livestock and vehicles from the planted area
• you have maintained a diary

Supporting guidance is available for this item.

Click 'Download this page' to create a printer-friendly version of this guidance that you can save or print out.