Rates of payment under agreement

7.—(1) The Minister shall make payments under an agreement for land to which the agreement relates at the following rates—

(a)£12 per annum for each hectare of land other than improved permanent grassland or extensive permanent grassland or woodland;

(b)£30 per annum for each hectare of improved permanent grassland;

(c)£60 per annum for each hectare of extensive permanent grassland, unless a higher rate is applicable in accordance with paragraph (4) below.

(2) The Minister shall make payments at the rate per annum of £4 for each 0.25 metre of drystone walls restored per hectare in accordance with the programme referred to in Schedule 1 paragraph 1(5), subject to a maximum of 2 metres of drystone walls per hectare per annum, and to a maximum number of hectares corresponding to the area of land subject to the provisions of Schedule 1 which contains or is enclosed or partially enclosed by such walls.

(3) Where an agreement includes the requirements as to public access specified in Schedule 2 the Minister shall make payments at the rate of £170 per annum for each hectare of access route.

(4) Where an agreement includes the additional provisions specified in Schedule 3 in relation to any land, the Minister shall make payments at the rate of £260 for each hectare of that land.

(5) Where an agreement includes the additional provisions specified in Schedule 4, the Minister shall make payments at the rate per annum of £2 for each 0.5 metre of non-stockproof hedges per hectare, subject to a maximum of 2 metres of non-stockproof hedges per hectare per annum, and to a maximum number of hectares corresponding to the area of land subject to the provisions of Schedule 1 which contains or is enclosed or partially enclosed by such hedges.

(6) Where an agreement includes a conservation plan, the Minister shall also make payments in respect of the aggregate of the operations included in the plan at a rate not exceeding £75 per annum for each hectare of land to which the agreement relates, subject to a maximum of £3,000 for each such plan.