Important things to keep in mind if your farm includes a designated site.
If your farm includes a designated site, such as:
- a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
- a Special Conservation Area (SAC)
- a Special Protections Area (SPA)
- National Nature Reserve (NNR)
there are a few important things to keep in mind as part of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).
Universal Layer consent
You may have received a consent letter from RPW issued on behalf of Natural Resources Wales (NRW). This allows you to carry out activities required under the SFS Universal Layer. Activities include carrying out:
- soil testing
- hedgerow and habitat management
within designated sites without needing separate consent each time.
However, it is important to remember this is not a blanket consent for every activity you may wish to do. Some operations, (e.g. reseeding or spreading,) could affect the special features of the site. (Including on non-habitat land if it falls within the designated site.) These may still require consent from NRW before you begin work.
If you have received a consent letter, keep it for your records. You may need to refer to it when planning any work on designated sites. You could also consult the OLDSI (operations likely to damage the special interests) lists. These can be found on Natural Resources Wales' designated sites search.
You must balance ongoing farm management practices with the protection of Wales' most important habitats and species. The designated site management planning service will support you with this.
Good management of designated sites starts with:
- understanding what is being protected, (this can also be found on the NRW website,) and
- ensuring routine farming activities support rather than damage those special features
Whilst waiting for a management plan, you should:
- continue to check whether any proposed works require additional consent
- follow the Universal Code and Universal Action requirements as appropriate
Universal Action 7: Designated Sites Management Plans
All SFS claimants with designated sites must have a Designated Sites Management Plan (DSMP). Under Universal Action 7 (UA7), this must be in place by the end of 2030. NRW will work with you to:
- develop a DSMP
- agree a Schedule of Works (SoW)
for the designated sites on your holding during this period.
There is nothing you need to do. But you can inform us on the SFS Universal Dashboard if you are ready for NRW to contact you to begin this process. Please note, DSMPs will be developed in phases up to 2030, so it may be a while before you are contacted.
SFS Universal payments for 2026 are not dependent on the DSMP being completed.
Reviewing and accepting your management plan
If you have already received a DSMP and SoW, please remember to review and accept the plan through RPW Online. This is required before:
- NRW can issue consent
- you can apply for funding for the actions within the SoW
The grant application window for funding to action the SoW under the SFS Optional Layer will be available separately.
If you have any questions, please contact the RPW Customer Contact Centre on 0300 062 5004.