Countryside Stewardship Special Project

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Countryside Stewardship Special Project

The Avebury and Stonehenge landscapes were designated as a World Heritage Site in 1986 because of their unique concentration of prehistoric monuments. In addition to the well-known ceremonial monuments, such as the Stonehenge and Avebury henge and stone circles, there are many more prehistoric features within this unique landscape. The majority of these are burial mounds. In total, there are about 1000 known archaeological sites within the World Heritage Site, both visible and non-visible.

To help protect such a wealth of features, a Countryside Stewardship Special Project has been developed in partnership between the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), English Heritage and the National Trust. The enhanced payments offered through this Special Project are only available to landowners and farmers with the World Heritage Site.

Countryside Stewardship is a scheme run by DEFRA, which makes payments to farmers and land managers to improve the natural beauty and diversity of the countryside.

It operates throughout England and is part of the England Rural Development programme. Further details of the scheme can be found in the Countryside Stewardship application pack.

Applicants to the scheme choose from a suite of options when putting together a plan for their farm. Within the Avebury and Stonehenge World Heritage Site a rate to encourage conversion from arable o grassland has been agreed. This special rate is £420 per hectare. To qualify for the special rate applicants will have to meet all the normal requirements for entering Countryside Stewardship, and in addition, meet specific requirements for the protection of archaeological features within the World Heritage Site. In some circumstances, there may also be special requirements for the grass seed mix to be used. To ensure that applications stand the greatest chance of success and that the applicant fully understands the scheme requirements, all proposals should be discussed thoroughly in advance with the Countryside Stewardship Project Officer for the area.

DEFRA

Department for Environment,
Food & Rural Affairs

Contacts

DEFRA
Stephanie Payne (Avebury Area)
Burghill Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS10 6YW
Tel: 0117 959 1000

World Heritage Site
Isabelle Bedu Tel: 01722 343848
Email: beth.thomas@english-heritage.org.uk
Sarah Simmonds Tel: 01380 734820
Email: Sarah.simmonds@wiltshire.gov.uk

Last updated: 6 October 2011