Grants available to restore Pembrokeshire's traditional boundaries
One of the most important features of Pembrokeshire's landscape and ecology is being given a helping hand to recovery thanks to a grant scheme instigated by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
The scheme will help landowners restore their traditional field boundaries which include hedgebanks, earth banks and dry stone walls. The type of boundary often reflects the local conditions and the availability of materials that were used historically to construct these boundaries, as well as the age of the boundary itself.
Sadly many of these traditional boundaries within the farming system have declined, largely as a result of the shortage of farm labour that's required to maintain them. Without periodic maintenance, hedgerows become thin, gaps appear, and unfenced banks become eroded. This process is further exacerbated by livestock movement. Without significant action there is a risk that many of Pembrokeshire's boundaries could disappear forever.
The grants hope to cover all traditional boundary restoration, including the repair of earth banks and stone-faced banks, the restoration of drystone walls, hedge laying and coppicing as well as the creation of new hedgerows and gapping up existing hedgerows. Domestic boundaries, such as garden boundaries, will not be applicable.
The grant funding will provide up to 70% for earth banks and dry stone walls and up to 75% for new hedgerows, a £4.50 per metre for gapping up existing ones, with £5 a metre being made available for hedge laying and coppicing. There will also be £6.50 a metre available for fencing, done in conjunction with other restoration.
Applications will be limited to 300 metres per applicant, with a cap of 300 metres on fencing. If a hedge needs to be double fenced this will mean a limit of 150 metres on either side.
The National Park has stated that it will prefer to fund the restoration of entire boundaries from node to node (from field corner to field corner or from field corner to gate) rather than a partial restoration. However, in some cases, such as where there are long lengths of drystone walls around commons, a rolling programme of partial restoration may be the only option.
To apply for the scheme, you will need to fill out the Expression of Interest (EOI) form and submit it to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park by Monday, October 11, 2024. Applications will be evaluated and processed on a first come, first served basis.
Once the Expression of Interest (EOI) form has been received, Arwel Evans, who is Pembrokeshire Coast National Park's Farm Conservation Officer from the Conservation land management team, will arrange a site visit, discuss the proposed works and measure the boundary in question. Works will be paid on a per metre/percentage basis once the work has been completed and the invoice received.
It will be up to the applicant to arrange a private contractor for completion of the work and Pembrokeshire Coast National has stated it can provide details of contractors as well as specifications and guidance to share with contractors.
Grants available to restore Pembrokeshire's traditional boundaries
One of the most important features of Pembrokeshire's landscape and ecology is being given a helping hand to recovery thanks to a grant scheme instigated by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
The scheme will help landowners restore their traditional field boundaries which include hedgebanks, earth banks and dry stone walls. The type of boundary often reflects the local conditions and the availability of materials that were used historically to construct these boundaries, as well as the age of the boundary itself.
Sadly many of these traditional boundaries within the farming system have declined, largely as a result of the shortage of farm labour that's required to maintain them. Without periodic maintenance, hedgerows become thin, gaps appear, and unfenced banks become eroded. This process is further exacerbated by livestock movement. Without significant action there is a risk that many of Pembrokeshire's boundaries could disappear forever.
The grants hope to cover all traditional boundary restoration, including the repair of earth banks and stone-faced banks, the restoration of drystone walls, hedge laying and coppicing as well as the creation of new hedgerows and gapping up existing hedgerows. Domestic boundaries, such as garden boundaries, will not be applicable.
The grant funding will provide up to 70% for earth banks and dry stone walls and up to 75% for new hedgerows, a £4.50 per metre for gapping up existing ones, with £5 a metre being made available for hedge laying and coppicing. There will also be £6.50 a metre available for fencing, done in conjunction with other restoration.
Applications will be limited to 300 metres per applicant, with a cap of 300 metres on fencing. If a hedge needs to be double fenced this will mean a limit of 150 metres on either side.
The National Park has stated that it will prefer to fund the restoration of entire boundaries from node to node (from field corner to field corner or from field corner to gate) rather than a partial restoration. However, in some cases, such as where there are long lengths of drystone walls around commons, a rolling programme of partial restoration may be the only option.
To apply for the scheme, you will need to fill out the Expression of Interest (EOI) form and submit it to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park by Monday, October 11, 2024. Applications will be evaluated and processed on a first come, first served basis.
Once the Expression of Interest (EOI) form has been received, Arwel Evans, who is Pembrokeshire Coast National Park's Farm Conservation Officer from the Conservation land management team, will arrange a site visit, discuss the proposed works and measure the boundary in question. Works will be paid on a per metre/percentage basis once the work has been completed and the invoice received.
It will be up to the applicant to arrange a private contractor for completion of the work and Pembrokeshire Coast National has stated it can provide details of contractors as well as specifications and guidance to share with contractors.