FAQs

The HEFER is a document that lists the known historic and archaeological features on a land holding and provides advice on how to protect and enhance them. It may include information on

• Scheduled Monuments,
• Registered Parks and Gardens;
• Registered Battlefields; and 
• Non-designated historic and archaeological features, known as SHINE features.  

There are two different types of HEFER depending on which scheme is being applied for.

• The SFI HEFER lists the historic and archaeological features on a holding, with a summary of the SFI requirements relating to those features, including where certain actions are not eligible on features.
• The CS HEFER also includes advice from Historic England and local authority historic environment advisors on local priorities and how to manage the historic and archaeological features on a holding.

Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme applicants must obtain a SFI HEFER if their land holding contains known historic or archaeological features.  

The HEFER identifies historic and archaeological features on a holding that could benefit from certain actions under the SFI, or where specific actions are not compatible with historic and archaeological features.

This can be obtained from the HEFER portal. Anyone requiring a HEFER needs to register on the HEFER portal, choose whether they require a SFI or CS HEFER depending on the scheme being applied for and place a request by entering the Single Business Identifier (SBI).

An email will be sent to the registered user’s email address when the HEFER is available for download.   For SFI this will take a matter of minutes, whereas for a CS HEFER this will take up to 20 working days.

Both HEFERs include maps and information about the historic and archaeological features on a holding, comprising scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, registered battlefields and SHINE features.

The SFI HEFER also lists SFI scheme eligibility rules and guidance relating to historic and archaeological features.

The CS HEFER also contains tailored advice from Historic England and local authority historic environment advisors about priorities for management on a holding as well as the best outcomes for the features identified in the HEFER. The CS HEFER will help you develop your CS agreement with input and advice from Natural England/Forestry Commission advisors. The CS HEFER may take up to 20 working days to arrive via email.

The HEFER lists the known historic and archaeological features on a land holding, as identified by your Single Business Identifier (SBI).  

These may include designated heritage assets (Scheduled Monuments, Registered Parks and Gardens and Registered Battlefields) and non-designated historic and archaeological features, referred to as SHINE features.

These comprise Scheduled Monuments, Registered Parks and Gardens, Registered Battlefields, Listed Buildings, World Heritage Sites, Conservation Areas and Protected Shipwrecks.

Certain heritage designations (Scheduled Monuments, Listed Buildings and Protected Shipwrecks) are protected by law and have a separate consent or licencing system. More information about heritage designations is available from the Historic England website.

Details of designated heritage assets, except for conservation areas and World Heritage sites, can be accessed via the National Heritage List for England (NHLE).

Scheduling refers to the legal system for protecting nationally important monuments and archaeological remains in England. Its aim is to preserve the best examples of these for current and future generations.

Scheduled monuments have legal protection and require owners and tenants to obtain Scheduled Monument Consent from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, as advised by Historic England, before undertaking certain works on them.

In practice this means, if you have a scheduled monument on your holding, you should consider how the needs of the monument can be best addressed in your agreement. It is mandatory that any CS HT application containing scheduled monuments includes these features within the application area, and that they are managed under a suitable CS action. Your CS HEFER will list any scheduled monuments on your holding and will provide advice from Historic England about the optimal outcome for managing these important features.

Depending on the detail being applied for, you may also need to obtain Scheduled Monument Consent before undertaking certain actions and/or applying capital items on land containing scheduled monuments.

Guidance for owners and occupiers of scheduled monuments is available from Historic England, and advice on Scheduled Monument Consent can be obtained from your local Historic England office.

The Selected Heritage Inventory for England, or SHINE, is a national dataset of non-designated historic and archaeological features from across England. SHINE has been developed in partnership between Historic England, Natural England, the Association of Local Government Archaeologists and more recently, Forestry Commission.

SHINE features have been identified by local authority Historic Environment Records (HERs) and currently comprises just over 100,000 records nationally. SHINE features are assessed and verified by local authority historic environment advisors, and must meet nationally agreed criteria, including having sufficient importance and evidence to merit protection or management under environmental land management schemes.

Alongside designated heritage assets, the SHINE dataset identifies those historic and archaeological features on a holding which may benefit from certain SFI or CS HT actions or where a specific SFI or CS action may not be eligible.

The SHINE dataset helps inform farmers, land managers, local authority archaeologists and government agencies. It provides environmental land management scheme applicants, via the HEFER, with information on where historic and archaeological features are located on land holdings.

Certain SFI or CS actions can only be located on historic or archaeological features as identified on the HEFER, while other actions are ineligible on historic and archaeological features. These are stated under SFI handbook and in CS grant finder under “where this action cannot be used”.

SHINE features vary greatly, from above ground features, such as an Iron Age hillfort and boundary markers, below ground archaeological remains, such as the buried remains of burial mounds, cemeteries or settlements, identified from cropmarks, to non-domestic buildings and structures of historic interest.

The SHINE dataset is created and managed by local authority Historic Environment Records (HERs).  The dataset is routinely reviewed and updated as new information becomes available to the HER, or prompted when a CS HEFER consultation is received, and as a result additional SHINE features may be identified. This may explain why you see additional SHINE features on a SFI HEFER compared to one obtained for an earlier scheme.

For a new feature to be added to the SHINE dataset it must be assessed and verified by a local authority advisor as meeting nationally agreed criteria, including having sufficient importance and evidence to merit protection or management under environmental land management schemes.

As part of the SFI and CS application process, actions are checked against the HEFER based on eligibility criteria set out in CS Grant finder and the SFI actions. In CS MT and SFI23 this check takes place after the agreement is live, whereas in the Expanded SFI offer the eligibility check is built into the online application system.

Yes.  Landowners and managers can query a SHINE feature if they believe the feature to be inaccurate or have additional information to contribute.

If you have a question about or want to query a SHINE feature, you should contact the local Historic Environment Record (HER) in which the feature is located. Contact details for all English HERs is available on the Heritage Gateway. When contacting a HER please include the unique SHINE identifier (e.g. CB123) and any relevant information to support your query.

DEFRA’s Farming and Countryside Programme provides a range of funding schemes available to farmers and land managers wishing to look after and enhance historic and archaeological features on their land holdings, in particular Countryside Stewardship (CS), the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) schemes. 

These schemes include actions to maintain and enhance historic and archaeological features on arable land, grassland and in woodland, and protect built heritage structures, such as traditional farm or forestry buildings and historic water features.

Details of the relevant actions can be found as follows:

• Historic environment actions can be found on the Countryside Stewardship Grant Finder
• Historic environment actions in the expanded SFI offer can be found on Defra's Find funding for land or farms service
• Information on the Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme (FiPL) can be found here

Managing heritage in a sustainable way can have many benefits for the environment and farm businesses - bolstering nature, improving soil and water quality, whilst protecting historic landscape features and archaeological remains.

Below are examples of some of the actions that can be used to manage farmland heritage. Further information, including on additional options, actions and programmes, can be accessed via the SFI scheme information, CS grantfinder and FiPL pages. 

Reduced and No Till

Reduced and direct tillage techniques, available in CS (and in SFI from late 2024) under options HS3 (Reduced-depth, non-inversion cultivation on historic and archaeological features) and HS9 (Restricted depth crop establishment to protect archaeology under an arable rotation), provide benefits to soils, reducing erosion, enhancing moisture and organic matter retention.

Reduced and no tillage techniques may also help with fuel efficiently and crop yields. They are less impactful on below ground archaeological features while allowing tillage to continue.  

A no-till farming action is now available in the expanded SFI offer, which will help protect buried archaeological remains. 

Managing heritage in grassland

Taking historic environment features out of cultivation and reverting to grassland, available via in CS (and SFI from late 2024) under option HS2 (Take historic and archaeological features out of cultivation), can also stabilise soils, reduce surface runoff, prevent nutrient loss and buffer other sensitive habitats. In turn, sensitive below ground archaeological remains are protected from further disturbance.

On permanent grassland, HEF6 (Manage historic and archaeological features on grassland) is available to maintain a grass sward on historic and archaeological features. This protects and conserves the character of the feature and landscape, whilst supporting related environmental benefits.

Scrub control on historic and archaeological features is also available via HEF5 (Control scrub historic and archaeological features). This option improves the visibility of the feature(s), reduces root damage and deters burrowing animals, whilst reducing soil erosion and nutrient runoff.

Managing historic designed or engineered water bodies and water meadows

Historic designed or engineered water bodies such as ponds and lakes are important landscape features and valuable resources for water management. HEF8 (Maintain designed or engineered water bodies) pays for the maintenance of such features, using traditional materials and skills to maintain historic structures in line with its original construction. Not only will their role in controlling the flow and levels of water on farmland be improved, but it will also help preserve the unique features characteristic of historic waterways, such as leats, sluices and embankments.

Likewise, CS Higher Tier action HS7 (Management of historic water meadows through traditional irrigation) provides funding for the maintenance of historic water meadow systems. Management of these iconic features not only conserves traditional means of water management and provide habitats for wildlife and nature, but it should also help improve water quality and storage on farms.

Traditional farm buildings

Grants, via HEF1 (Maintain weatherproof traditional farm or forestry buildings) and HEF2 (Maintain weatherproof traditional farm buildings in remote areas), are available for maintaining traditional farm and forestry buildings that are still in agricultural or forestry use. These actions fund maintenance works to repair roof areas, prop and repoint external walls, and replace or mend guttering, in keeping with its original design. Such works ensure eligible buildings are protected from the elements, preserving them in a weatherproof state, and conserve their contribution to the local character of rural landscapes as well as providing habitats for certain species.

The restoration of derelict or redundant buildings can provide extra capacity for farming businesses, as well as preserving the place of traditional farm buildings in protected landscapes. Their restoration can also provide appropriate positioning for nesting boxes, providing bird habitats.

Capital items

Capital items are also available for conserving and protecting historic and archaeological features.

Available within Higher Tier and as a standalone Higher Tier Capital Grant, HE1 (Historic and archaeological feature protection), provides a grant of up to 100% of actual costs for works to preserve heritage features within farmed landscapes for future generations. Types of works include repairs to weathered and damaged structures, consolidating of historic fabric, clearing bracken and other vegetation, and restoring ground cover to protect below ground archaeology. Such actions help by enhancing the feature, as well as preserving its character for future generations. 

HE3 (Removal of eyesore) is also available in CS Higher Tier applications to fund the removal and disposal of unsightly items, e.g. dilapidated concrete livestock pens etc, that may negatively impact the visual effect of historic environment features and surrounding landscapes.

It is important to note some capital items require standalone implementation and feasibility plans. Grant funding is available to undertake these via PA1 (Implementation plan) and PA2 (Feasibility Study) respectively. Check the requirements for capital Items on CS Grant Finder when applying to see if you need an implementation plan and/or a feasibility plan.

Written guidance on how to carry out each CS option and SFI action available is available via CS Grantfinder and the Find funding tool.  

Advise on CS HT schemes is provided as part of the CS HEFER, and you can contact the relevant organisations shown in the scheme guidance for further advice and consents, where required.

Historic England and Natural England have produced guidance on how to look after historic and archaeological features on different land types.  These are available via their respective websites, with some listed below:

Management of archaeological sites on grassland

Management on historic environment features on arable land

Looking after historic parks, gardens and landscapes

Maintenance of traditional farm buildings

Nature recovery and the historic environment

Heritage features are finite and are often vulnerable to erosion, scrub encroachment and other actions resulting in ground disturbance. To preserve these features for future generations, the historic environment requires sensitive management.

Certain options within CS and actions in SFI are not suitable on land containing historic or archaeological features, because the action may cause detriment or damage to the feature e.g. where the action may involve ground disturbance. In these cases the CS option or SFI action cannot be used on a historic or archaeological feature directly but can be co-located on the same land parcel providing it does not overlay the feature.

There are also additional requirements you may need to consider when undertaking actions on land containing historic and archaeological features. These requirements are set out in CS Grant finder under “where this action cannot be used”, and the SFI scheme information (section 10 regulatory issues) and the SFI HEFER.

Methods of preparing the ground to establish (or remove) herbal leys can be damaging to historic and archaeological features. For example, establishing a seedbed via ploughing followed by disc harrowing can damage earthworks and disturb below ground archaeology. This is especially the case on permanent grassland.

Additionally, the root structure of some deep rooting herbal ley species, such as yarrow and chicory, can damage archaeology by permeating and disturbing archaeological deposits over time.

Encroaching scrub and tree roots can also damage historic and archaeological features. Root structures beneath the soil can penetrate and disturb buried archaeological remains. The build-up of scrub and woody species can reduce the visibility of archaeological earthworks, as well as encouraging wildlife to burrow and livestock to shelter and trample on features, causing disturbance and damage.

Historic England guidance on how to manage scrub on land containing historic features can be found here.

No, Historic England and local authority historic environment services cannot give approvals on ineligible CS and SFI revenue actions. 

Eligibility rules preventing potentially damaging actions being carried out on land containing historic and archaeological features are built into the application process and will be flagged by the Rural Payments Agency as ineligible. You should check the eligibility requirements for CS and SFI actions either by viewing CS Grant Finder or the SFI action descriptions. Historic England or local authority advisors cannot override these eligibility rules for CS and SFI revenue actions.

Certain capital items, such as FG1 (fencing) or WN2 (creation of scraps and gutters), may be allowed on land containing historic and archaeological features if advice is sought from a specialist historic environment advisor.  Scheduled Monument Consent will be required in advance for any capital items located on scheduled monuments.  Check the requirements for Capital Items on Grant Finder when applying to see rules about where capital items can be located and where approvals need to be obtained.

In CS Mid and Higher Tier, you must include all scheduled monuments on your holding in your agreement. As part of these agreements, there is a requirement to bring all scheduled monuments on agreement land into favourable condition, as long as suitable options are available via CS.

Where scheduled monuments have been assessed as being at risk or not being in a favourable condition (for example at risk of being damaged by cultivation) you must therefore choose options that will address these risks and bring the site into improved management. Thereafter, you will be required to maintain that site in a favourable condition. More information can be found here in CS Mid Tier and Higher Tier handbooks.

The CS HEFER will advise you on how to maintain or bring the scheduled monument into favourable condition, using suitable CS options and capital items. 

Scheduled Monument Consent is a statutory approvals system that prevents potentially damaging actions from taking place on Scheduled Monuments. It was introduced by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 and is managed by Historic England on behalf of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Generally, you will need to apply and gain SMC before undertaking any “works” that may disturb a scheduled monument. These include fencing, drainage or subsoiling.

It is strongly recommended that you contact your local Historic England office at an early stage if you are planning changes that might affect a scheduled monument.

You can apply for consent by completing a Scheduled Monument Consent form and returning it to the local Historic England office.

An overview of the process of obtaining Scheduled Monument Consent is also available here.

“Class consents” refer to certain permissible land management actions or “works” on scheduled monuments that are granted by the Government in specific circumstances. The Class Consents are outlined in the Ancient Monuments (Class Consents) Order 1994.

For more information on class consents view Scheduled Monuments - A Guide for Owners and Occupiers.

Where possible, you should avoid taking soil samples on any land containing historic or archaeological features identified on your HEFER. You can take soil samples from the same land parcel, but you should avoid the area of the feature itself where at all possible.

If you need to take soil samples on any land containing a scheduled monument to meet the requirements in your agreement, you must get consent from Historic England before doing so.  A form for seeking consent for soil sampling on Scheduled Monuments is available here.

If you need to undertake soil sampling on non-designated historic and archaeological features (SHINE features), you should follow the requirements as outlined in the SFI scheme information and CS Mid and Higher Tier handbooks.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Agriculture) (England) (No.2) Regulations 2006 is a consent regime operated by Natural England, on behalf of DEFRA, to decide whether permission should be granted for activities that could potentially negatively impact the environment. It aims to protect uncultivated, a semi-natural area, or rural land from damage caused by:

• introducing activities that will increase the agricultural productivity of the land
• changing activities that will increase the agricultural productivity of the land
• restructuring rural land.

Uncultivated land is land that has not been cultivated for 15 years by chemicals or physically.

Semi-natural areas include:

• priority habitats
• historic environment features of greater than regional significance
• landscape features, such as historic parkland.

Within EIA (Agriculture) regulations, historic and archaeological features are afforded protection within Semi-natural areas (SNAs), regionally significant areas, protected landscapes and priority habitats.

If land has been reverted to grassland for a period of time and holds historic environment features, it will need a screening decision where those features are regionally significant or more, and you wish to convert those grasslands to arable.

Screening decisions for EIA (Agriculture) applications will assess the impact proposed activities might have on historic and archaeological features.

You can find out more information on the interaction between EIA (Agriculture) regulations and heritage here.