Rural Payments and Services

This is an old version of the page

Date published: 30 March, 2015

Date superseded: 18 December, 2015

The aim of this item is to benefit a range of wildlife.

Ponds are particularly valuable for a mixture of aquatic invertebrates, wetland plants and amphibians.

Clean water is essential for wildlife ponds and the best ponds are those that are filled from surface water coming from low intensity grassland or woodland, or those that are filled from groundwater.

To help prevent the spread of invasive plants, new ponds should be allowed to regenerate naturally.

All land is eligible for this item.

You must identify on a map the location of the proposed wildlife pond.

• the pond must hold water during the winter and spring, or longer
• to prevent the spread of invasive species, you must not stock the pond with plants. Your pond will naturally vegetate
• if your proposed pond is on a designated site, you must have Scottish Natural Heritage approval
• if your pond is connected to a river, stream, ditch, wetland, estuary or loch, you must have SEPA approval
• you must not use the pond for abstraction
• you must maintain a diary

• you must obtain planning permission, or have confirmation that planning permission is not required for your proposed pond

You can claim £4.50 per square metre of pond.

The inspectors will check:

• the location and extent of the work
• the pond must hold water during the winter and spring, or longer
• you have not stocked the pond with plants (preventing the spread of invasive species)
• you have not used the pond for abstraction
• you have maintained a diary