These capital activities support action on or adjacent to SSSIs and Natura sites aimed at bringing the special features of interest into favourable condition.
We will provide you with assistance towards the eligible costs of bringing the special features on the protected site into favourable condition, where:
- you wish to undertake one or more activities listed in the Table below
and
- the cost of the required activity or effort is significantly higher than the standard cost.
The work must be necessary to bring the qualifying interests of SSSIs and Natura sites into favourable condition. Each capital activity can only be undertaken once on one area of land during the period of the 5 year contract.
You must justify why the standard costs are not appropriate and provide a detailed breakdown of the work required and the associated costs.
You must agree the eligible costs in advance with your Case Officer.
During the period of your contract, you may undertake one or more of the actions listed in the Table below. You may undertake all of these activities in the same year or you may undertake them in different years in accordance with your agreed Schedule of Work.
Payment Rate/Actual Cost
We will make a variable rate capital payment of up to 100% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £7,000 per hectare or up to £136,986 whichever is the greater, depending on the requirement to allow the capital item to go ahead. Maximum payments apply for each eligible activity, as detailed in the Table below.
You may claim for what is agreed in your contract. You can only claim payment in the year, or years, stated in your Schedule of Works. You may submit either an interim claim or a final claim for any of the activities listed in the Table below. Each payment will be paid in arrears. Please see the claims guidance for information about how and when to claim; referring to the sections about Actual Cost Capital Items.
Where own labour or vehicles are used please refer to the guidance on payment rates.
Please also note that Machinery and/or Labour timesheets must be completed where own machinery or labour is used.
Activities that can be supported under Capital works required for Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Natura features. A specification for each activity is provided via the links in the table below.