The Environmentally Sensitive Areas (Stage IV) Designation Order 2000

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

SCHEDULE 5 SHROPSHIRE HILLS

PART 1 DESIGNATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA

The area of land in the Shropshire Hills in the county of Shropshire which is shown coloured yellow on the maps contained in the volume of maps marked “Volume of maps of the Shropshire Hills 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 planting, laying, coppicing and gapping-up of hedges.

• The restoration of farm buildings using traditional materials.

• The creation of species-rich meadows.

• The control of bracken or scrub.

• The creation or restoration of ponds.

• Works to protect historic and archaeological features.

• The regeneration of suppressed heather.

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

• Tree planting.

• The provision and protection of hedgerow saplings.

• Fencing to protect habitats.

• Other works associated with habitat restoration or enhancement.

PART 3 MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Column 1	Column 2
Activity	Maximum rate in £ per hectare of land per annum (except where otherwise stated)
1.  Maintenance of cultivated land.	20
2.  Maintenance of permanent grassland.	35
3.  Management of extensive permanent grassland.	55
4.  Where management of the kind referred to in item 2 or 3 above is undertaken, additional management so as to conserve meadowland.	90
5.  Where management of the kind referred to in item 2 or 3 above is undertaken, additional management for the purposes of enhancing biodiversity through restrictions on stocking.	60
6.  In relation to moorland— (a) maintenance of moorland	60
(b) where management of the kind referred to in item 6(a) above is undertaken, additional management for the purposes of enhancing biodiversity through the removal of 50% of livestock from moorland	4.50
(c) where management of the kind referred to in item 6(a) above is undertaken, additional management for the purposes of enhancing biodiversity through the removal of all livestock from moorland over winter.	16
(d) enhanced management of moorland over winter.	95
7.  Where management of the kind referred to in item 1, 2, 3 or 6(a) above is undertaken, additional management so as to create or enhance wet areas.	160
8.  In relation to woodland— (a) maintenance of existing woodland	20
(b) management of woodland to enhance its nature conservation and landscape value.	150
9.  Hedge restoration	£9 per metre
10.  Management of any kind referred to in items 1 to 9 above which is undertaken in relation to common land—
(a) in respect of the period ending on 31st August 2001.	5
(b) in respect of the period beginning after 31st August 2001.	10
11.  The provision of public access routes.	170

PART 4 DEFINITIONS

In this Schedule:

“extensive permanent grassland” means permanent grassland which is receiving no or only minimal inputs of fertilizer or pesticides;

“meadowland” means grassland primarily used for the production of hay or silage;

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