Rural Payments and Services

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The aim of this item is to improve water quality by creating a strategically placed swale to slow, treat and control run-off that currently discharges direct to a watercourse or freshwater drain and to direct flow to a point (e.g. a pond) where it can be safely discharged.

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

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

You must prepare a plan which 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.

• only run-off which does not fall within the definition of slurry may be conveyed to a swale *
• run-off from pesticide handling or washdown areas must not be conveyed to a swale

* Unless the run-off is being conveyed to a constructed farm wetland designed in accordance with the Constructed Farm Wetland Design Manual – Scottish Environment Protection Agency / Northern Ireland Environment Agency – 2008.

You can claim £21.75 per square metre (excluding fencing).

The inspectors will check:

• the location and extent of the swale
• that only run-off which does not fall within the definition of slurry is conveyed to a swale *
• that run-off from pesticide handling or wash-down areas is not conveyed to a swale

* Unless the run-off is being conveyed to a constructed farm wetland designed in accordance with the Constructed Farm Wetland Design Manual – Scottish Environment Protection Agency / Northern Ireland Environment Agency – 2008.

Supporting guidance is available for this item.

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