Hi All,
Just doing my first BPS application (first for me, not the land parcels in question), and just want to check my understanding of the temporary grassland and permanent grassland rules.
As I understand it:
If so, the only risk here is that NE designate parts of my regularly ploughed and reseeded grass as 'semi-natural grassland'. However, I can't find any definitive information on how such a designation would be made. Anyone have any pointers on that?
Thanks in advance,
Charlie
Just doing my first BPS application (first for me, not the land parcels in question), and just want to check my understanding of the temporary grassland and permanent grassland rules.
As I understand it:
- Temporary grassland can only exist for 5 consecutive years before it automatically becomes permanent grassland. This is irrespective of whether it has been cultivated, reseeded, fertilised or otherwise farmed during those 5 years.
- If one wants to plough up some permanent grassland, then as long as it has been cultivated at some time in the previous 15 years, there is no environmental impact assessment required. It's only if 15 years have elapsed since it was last 'cultivated', or if it is "uncultivated or semi-natural grassland" that one needs an EIA and screening decision.
- The onus is on the farmer to prove the timescales for any 'improvement' activities carried out, through field records, photos, farm diary or whatever.
If so, the only risk here is that NE designate parts of my regularly ploughed and reseeded grass as 'semi-natural grassland'. However, I can't find any definitive information on how such a designation would be made. Anyone have any pointers on that?
Thanks in advance,
Charlie