Rural Payments and Services

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The aim of this item is to improve water quality by creating a pond to intercept and treat run-off that currently discharges direct to a watercourse or freshwater drain. Ponds can improve water quality through natural processes including filtration, retention and biological breakdown.

Any land is eligible, provided that it meets all of the requirements set out below.

This option must be combined with:

• Rural Sustainable Drainage Systems – Sediment Traps and Bunds and
• Stock Fence

You can check if this item is available on your holding here.

You must prepare a plan that must include a map of the relevant fields / steading, identifying the location of the rural sustainable drainage system feature.

You must also produce a diffuse pollution steading assessment.

• run-off must first enter a sediment trap prior to pond
• only run-off which does not fall within the definition of slurry may be conveyed to a pond
• run-off from pesticide handling or washdown areas must not be conveyed to a retention pond
• fencing should be provided to protect people and livestock
• existing ponds must not be used
• you must obtain planning permission, or have confirmation that planning permission is not required for your proposed pond

You can claim £15.00 per square metre (excluding fencing).

The inspectors will check:

• the location and extent of the retention pond
• run-off first enters a sediment trap prior to pond
• only run-off which does not fall within the definition of slurry is conveyed to a pond
• run-off from pesticide handling or wash-down areas is not conveyed to a retention pond
• fencing should be provided to protect people and livestock
• existing ponds are not used

Supporting guidance is available for this item.

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