Rural Payments and Services

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The aim of this item is to benefit upland and moorland habitat where deer are present by assessing the impact current grazing levels are having on the habitats present.

This assessment can be used to provide baseline information on which to base management decisions, or can also be undertaken at three to five year intervals to check the effectiveness of management already undertaken.

Where the deer population and / or the designated site extends across more than one ownership, it may be appropriate to collaborate with neighbours.

Rough grazing land, which forms part of a deer range that includes land designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest or Natura site and is in, or at risk of falling into, unfavourable condition due to grazing pressure from deer is eligible.

You must prepare and submit to Scottish Natural Heritage for approval a habitat impact assessment plan.

This plan must include a map showing the proposed habitats to be assessed along with the locations of assessment plots.

Scottish Natural Heritage will provide advice on where and when to monitor the habitat you are managing.

• you must provide Scottish Natural Heritage with a report of the impact assessment findings, which must include a map showing the plot locations, their GPS co-ordinates and details of the impacts recorded
• you must maintain a diary

Payment will be made on an actual cost basis, upon completion of the work and approval of the report by Scottish Natural Heritage.

Payment will be restricted to a maximum of £4,400 per location code unit.

Your report will be reviewed by Scottish Natural Heritage, who will confirm whether it is up to standard.

Supporting guidance is available for this item.

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