The Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Stage III) Designation Order 2000

articles 2(1) and(3), 3 and 5(1)

SCHEDULE 5 SOUTH WESSEX DOWNS

PART 1 DESIGNATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA

The area of land on the South Wessex Downs in the county of Essex which is shown coloured yellow on the maps contained in the volume of maps marked “Volume of maps of the South Wessex Downs environmentally sensitive area” dated 6th November 2000, signed on behalf of the Minister by the Parliamentary Secretary and deposited at the offices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR.

PART 2 CAPITAL ACTIVITIES

• The provision of fencing and water supplies for livestock associated with the re-introduction of grazing.

• The removal of scrub.

• The planting, laying, gapping up or coppicing of hedges.

• The renovation of farm buildings using traditional materials.

• Works to protect historic and archaeological features.

• The creation or restoration of ponds, or restoration of dewponds or ditches.

• The provision and restoration of gates, stiles and footbridges, where an agreement includes requirements as to public access.

• Purchase of a diverse seed mixture for arable reversion to chalk grassland.

• Removal of fencing.

• Re-introduction of willow pollarding.

• Other works for the restoration or enhancement of wildlife habitats.

PART 3 MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

column 1	column 2
Activity	Maximum rate in £ per hectare of land per annum
1.  Management of improved permanent grassland.	10
2.  Management of low input permanent grassland.	40
3.  Management of downland turf.	60
4.  In respect of cultivated land— (a) maintenance of cultivated land	8
(b) reversion of arable land to downland turf	330
(c) creation and management of conservation headland	80
5.  Enhanced management of permanent grassland.	80
6.  Where management of any kind referred to in item 2, 3, 4(b) or 5 above is undertaken, additional management for the purpose of restricting the level of stocking.	65
7.  Maintenance of woodland.	17
8.  The provision of public access routes.	170
9.  The reversion of arable land to permanent grassland.	230
10.  Maintenance of improved permanent grassland and low input permanent grassland.	38

PART 4 DEFINITIONS

In this Schedule:

“conservation headland” means a strip of land subject to restrictions on the use of fertilizers and herbicides, that is at least six metres wide along the edge of a field growing arable crops;

“downland turf” means grassland other than permanent, ley or intensive grassland, situated on undulating chalk hills;

“improved permanent grassland” means permanent grassland that is regularly treated with fertilizers, and used for pasture or for the production of hay or silage;

“low input grassland” means grassland which has not normally been ploughed or reseeded for at least five years and which is receiving no or only minimal input of fertilizer, pesticides, nutrients or other agricultural admixtures;

“permanent grassland” means grassland which has not been ploughed or reseeded for at least five years.