BN3: Earth bank creation
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-03)

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the earth bank creation item.

This item is part of Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Capital Grants 2025 guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-grants-2025) to understand the rules and how to apply. If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the CSHT applicant’s guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht) to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

£20.59 per metre (m). The payment rate is for the total length of boundary under creation, not for each side of the boundary.

How this item benefits the environment

Creating an earth bank where one previously existed provides a valuable habitat for wildlife and conserves a traditional landscape.

This item can help you protect, recover and improve biodiversity on your land.

Where you can use this item

You can use this item:
- where you have management control of both sides of the boundary
- on sites where historic maps or records show evidence of former earth banks existing as a feature
What you must do to use this item

You must:
- create the earth bank to reflect the style and profile of similar earth banks which are in good condition locally
- build up moist soil in consolidated layers, allowing it to settle at each stage to make sure it is stable
- build each face of the bank so there’s a slight slope (‘batter’) with a base approximately 0.5m wider at the base than the top
- take turves up to the full height of the new bank if local banks are faced with turf
- finish off the top of the bank with loose soil or turf (unless a hedge is being planted)
- make the top line of the bank parallel to the ground
- finish the ends of the bank at gateways with turf or stone facing and protect it from being damaged by livestock and machinery
- remove any surplus earth-fill and stones from the site when you have finished and restore any ground you have disturbed
You must not:
- block or restrict access to open access land (https://www.gov.uk/right-of-way-open-access-land/use-your-right-to-roam)
- remove soil from other banks (even if they’re derelict)
- disturb healthy trees
- damage the roots of trees growing on the bank with machinery
Evidence you must keep

You must keep and provide historic maps or other records with your application – this can be your Farm Environment Record. They must show either the proposed location of the bank creation is:
- on an original footprint of a pre-existing earth bank
- a feature of a specific location or landscape
You must keep photographs during and after work has been completed and provide these with your claim.

You must also keep and provide on request:
- any consents or permissions connected with the work
- receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
- photographs to show the planned location for each length of earth bank creation
Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agreement-holders-guide-capital-grants-higher-tier-capital-grants-and-protection-and-infrastructure-grants-2025) for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht).

Other capital items you can use with this item

You can use this item with these items:

BN11: Planting new hedges (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/planting-new-hedges-bn11)

TE1: Planting standard hedgerow tree (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/planting-standard-hedgerow-tree-te1)