BN7 & BN11 Hedgerow Grants: A Farmer’s Guide to Gapping-Up and Planting New Hedges

Welcome! If you’re a farmer in the UK looking to improve or expand your hedgerows, and you farm in the UK and want to improve or expand your hedgerows, the BN7: Hedgerow Gapping-Up and BN11: Planting New Hedges options under Countryside Stewardship in England can provide you with the support.

This guide explains in plain English:

• What BN7 and BN11 are

• The difference between “gapping up” and planting a brand-new hedge

• Payment rates and typical costs

• Who can apply in England, and what the equivalents are in Wales and Scotland

• Practical planting and aftercare advice

• Answers to common questions from farmers

Whether you are filling gaps in old hedges or putting in new hedges for shelter, wildlife and soil protection, this guide will help you plan a successful, grant-compliant project.

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1. What Are BN7 and BN11 Hedgerow Grants?

BN7 and BN11 are “capital items” under the Countryside Stewardship scheme in England. They pay you per metre of hedgerow planting.

BN7 – Hedgerow Gapping-Up

• Used to fill gaps in an existing hedge line

• Strengthens thin, broken or patchy hedges

• Helps make hedges stock-proof and better for wildlife

• Typical rule: gaps up to 20 metres long are treated as “gaps”

Payment (England): around £10.98 per metre

BN11 – Planting New Hedges

• Used to create a completely new hedgerow where there is no hedge now

• Also used where a gap is so long that you are effectively creating a new hedge line

• Always planted as a native hedge in a double staggered row

Payment (England): around £22.97 per metre

100 metres of BN11 hedging would provide roughly £2,297 in grant funding.

BN7 = repair and fill gaps. BN11 = plant a new hedge from scratch.

“BN” stands for “Boundary” in the Countryside Stewardship code system.

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2. Why Plant or Restore Hedges?

BN7 and BN11 are not just about the money. Well-planted, well-managed hedges bring long-term benefits to the farm.

Wildlife and pollinators

• Hedges act as wildlife corridors, allowing birds, insects and small mammals to move safely across the farm.

• Blossoms from hawthorn, blackthorn and native trees feed pollinators in spring.

• Autumn berries and nuts feed birds and small mammals.

• Continuous, well-connected hedges support many farmland bird species.

Shelter for livestock

• A dense hedge gives wind protection in winter and shade in summer.

• Reduces stress and improves welfare for cattle, sheep and horses.

• BN7 can restore thin shelterbelts; BN11 can create new ones.

Soil, water and flooding

• Hedges help slow run-off and reduce soil erosion on slopes.

• Roots help hold soil in place.

• Sediment and nutrients are filtered before reaching ditches and streams, which supports better water quality and can reduce the risk of flooding.

Carbon and air quality

• Hedgerows store carbon in their wood and roots.

• Hedges near livestock areas can help trap dust and ammonia, improving air quality around yards and tracks.

Landscape and farm legacy

• Hedges give structure to fields and help maintain traditional boundaries.

• Restoring old hedgerows or reinstating historical hedges maintains the character of the farmed landscape.

• A well-planted hedge is an asset that can last generations.

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3. Payment Rates and Typical Costs

One of the first questions is normally: “Will the grant cover my costs?”

As of early 2025, the headline rates in England are:

• BN7 – Hedgerow Gapping-Up: about £10.98 per metre

• BN11 – Planting New Hedges: about £22.97 per metre

Always check the latest rates on GOV.UK, as schemes and payments may change.

BN11 – Typical costs for a new hedge

A new hedge uses more plants and materials, so costs are higher per metre.

A compliant BN11 hedge usually has 6 plants per metre in two staggered rows.

Typical ball-park figures per metre:

• Plants: £5–£7

  • Native hedge packs (hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, field maple, dog rose and similar)
    

• Guards, canes, mulch, etc: £5–£7

  • Rabbit guards

  • Canes

  • Mulch mats/fabric and fixing pegs (if used)
    

• Labour: £5–£10

  • Depends on whether you plant yourself or use a contractor
    

Most farms find that a BN11 payment of £22.97 per metre will cover planting costs and often leave a small surplus, especially when plants are bought in bulk.

BN7 – Typical costs for gapping-up

BN7 uses fewer plants per metre because you are filling holes in an existing hedge, not starting from bare ground.

Typical costs per metre of gap:

• Plants: £2–£4 (around 2–4 whips per metre)

• Guards and canes: £2–£4 (if needed)

• Labour: £2–£6
  

With a BN7 payment of about £10.98 per metre, most farmers find:

• Plant and guard costs are fully covered

• There is usually something left towards labour

  
  

Fencing and site factors

• Fencing is not included in BN7 or BN11 payments.

  • Stock fencing might cost £3–£10 per metre, depending on specification.

  • Some separate grants may cover fencing.

• Steep slopes, stones and heavy weeds increase labour time.

• Large hedge orders reduce plant cost per metre.
  

Bottom line: both BN7 and BN11 are designed to be at least cost-neutral and often financially favourable once established.

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4. Who Can Apply? England, Wales and Scotland

Information here is correct to the best of current knowledge in early 2025. Always check the latest official guidance before you apply.

England – BN7 and BN11 under Countryside Stewardship

In England, most:

• Farmers

• Landowners

• Tenants and smallholders

• Other land managers
  

can apply for BN7 and BN11 as part of:

• Mid Tier or Higher Tier agreements, or

• Standalone capital grants (availability can change year by year)
  

You do not have to be a full-time farmer, but you must have management control of the land, including both sides of the hedge line.

When to use BN11 vs BN7 in England

Use BN11 – Planting New Hedges – when:

• There is currently no hedge, or

• A gap is so long that you are effectively creating a new hedgerow.

  
  

Typical BN11 purposes include:

• Reinstating old hedges shown on historic maps

• Linking two existing hedges or woods

• Creating wildlife corridors

• Reducing erosion or run-off on slopes

• Creating shelter near farmyards or tracks
  

BN11 is not for small gaps. Gaps of 20 metres or less belong under BN7.

Use BN7 – Hedgerow Gapping-Up – when:

• The hedge exists but has bare patches or thin stretches

• Gaps are typically up to 20 metres

• You want to strengthen the structure of an existing hedgerow

• You are restoring an old hedge that is mostly still in place
  

BN7 is not for planting a completely new hedge line.

Evidence and mapping (England)

For both BN7 and BN11 you must:

• Map the proposed hedge line in the Rural Payments system

• Show the location and length

• Keep before and after photos

• Keep receipts for plants and materials

• The planting window is from 1 November to 31 March 
  

Applications are made through the Rural Payments Service (RPA). The basic steps are:

1. Map the hedge line

2. Submit the application

3. Wait for approval

4. Plant the hedge in the correct season

5. Submit evidence and claim payment
   

Payments are made after the work is completed and approved.

Wales – Small Grants, not BN7 or BN11

Wales has its own hedgerow creation grants, for example:

• Glastir Small Grants (Environment)

• New schemes under the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS)
  

Typical features:

• Applications are made through Rural Payments Wales (RPW)

• Short application windows, sometimes once a year

• Competitive, scored applications

• Past hedge planting rates have been lower than in England, for example, around £4.50 per metre

• Often includes support for fencing, gates and guards

• Maximum grant caps, such as £7,500, may apply
  

Wales does not use BN codes, and rules change regularly, so check the current RPW guidance.

Scotland – AECS and Forestry Grant Scheme

In Scotland, hedge planting is mainly supported via:

• Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS)

• Forestry Grant Scheme and occasional biodiversity or climate funds

Key points:

• Application rounds open periodically, not all year round

• Past hedge planting payments have been around £5.40 per metre

• Extra items may cover fencing, hedgerow trees and shelterbelts

• Applications usually need maps, plans and environmental justification
  

Scotland also does not use BN codes, so refer to Scottish Rural Payments and NatureScot for up-to-date details.

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5. Planting Your BN7 or BN11 Hedge: Step-by-Step

Once your grant is approved, the next job is to get the hedge planted correctly.

Planting season

• Allowed period: 1 November to 31 March

• Plant while whips are dormant

• Avoid frozen or waterlogged ground
  

On light or sandy soils, November and December often work best. On heavy or wet clays, February and March may be better, once the ground is workable.

Step 1: Prepare the site

1. Clear a 1.5 metre strip along the hedge line

   • Strim and remove vegetation

   • Lightly cultivate, or

   • Use herbicide in late summer if you choose (always follow scheme rules and label advice)
     

2. Improve soil where needed

   • Break up compacted ground

   • Remove large stones and rubbish

   • Aim for friable, crumbly soil so roots can get away easily
     

3. Mark out the line

   • Use stakes, string, spray marker or a clear tractor wheel mark

   • Decide whether the hedge will be straight or gently curved

     
     

Step 2: Row layout and spacing

BN11 – New hedges

• Two rows, 40 cm apart

• 6 plants per metre in total

BN7 – Gapping-up

• Plant into the existing hedge line

• Use around 2–4 plants per metre in the gaps

• Follow the spacing and pattern of the existing hedge, single or double row as appropriate

Step 3: Planting the whips

For bare-root whips (standard for BN7 and BN11):

1. Use a spade, planting bar or dibber

2. Make a slit or small hole large enough for roots to hang naturally

3. Plant at the same depth as in the nursery (look for the soil mark on the stem)

4. Firm soil around the roots with your heel to remove air pockets

5. Check spacing as you go so the hedge looks even and continuous
   

Keep roots moist at all times. Only take a small bundle out of the bag at once and cover the rest.

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6. Protection and Aftercare

Guards, mulch and fencing

Guards and canes

• Useful where rabbits and hares are present

• Spiral guards or small shelters help improve survival

• Remove guards after 2–3 years so they do not constrict stems or litter the hedge line

Mulch or weed fabric

• Not compulsory but very effective

• Reduces weed competition and keeps moisture in the soil

Fencing

• Essential if livestock graze nearby

• Place fencing at least 1.2 metres from the centre of the hedge to give room for growth and to avoid browsing

• Young hedges will usually fail if sheep or cattle can reach them

Weed control and watering

For the first one to two years:

• Keep roughly a 1 metre strip weed-free along the hedge

• Hand-weed, hoe, use a guarded spot-spray or weed-wiper where allowed

• Avoid strimmers close to young stems, especially blackthorn, which may sucker when damaged

• Water in prolonged dry spells, particularly in the first summer

Replacing failures

Even with good planting, some plants will die. Under BN7 and BN11, you are expected to:

• Check hedges in summer

• Mark missing plants

• Replace failures the next winter (Nov–Mar)
  

Keeping a full, continuous hedge protects your grant and improves the long-term structure.

Early trimming and long-term management

• Light trimming after the first and second growing seasons encourages bushy growth at the base

• Aim for a hedge that is wider at the bottom than the top

• After several years, manage as a normal hedge with rotational trimming, and eventually laying or coppicing if needed (often with separate grants for that work)

Record-keeping

Keep:

• Planting dates

• Before and after photos

• Maps showing the hedge location

• Receipts for plants and materials
  

These records are useful if you are inspected and helpful for your own management planning.

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7. Choosing Native Species and Working Out Plant Numbers

For BN11 in England, all species must be UK native, and the mix must reflect your local landscape.

Common native hedge species include:

• Hawthorn (quickthorn)

• Blackthorn

• Hazel

• Field maple

• Dogwood

• Dog rose

• Holly

• Spindle

• Guelder rose

• Crab apple
  

No single species can make up more than 70% of the mix. This avoids monocultures and improves pest, disease and climate resilience.

Example BN11-compliant mixes

1. Thorny, stock-proof mix

   • 70% hawthorn

   • 30% blackthorn
     

2. Wildlife-rich mix

   • 50% hawthorn

   • 20% blackthorn

   • 10% hazel

   • 10% field maple

   • 10% dog rose
     

3. Mixed native hedge

   • 40% hawthorn

   • 20% blackthorn

   • 20% hazel

   • 10% crab apple

   • 5% dogwood

   • 5% holly
     

You can tweak mixes for your soils:

• Coastal or exposed sites – more blackthorn and other tough species

• Wet ground – add suitable wet-tolerant natives

• Light, dry soils – hawthorn, dogwood and field maple usually do well

How many plants do you need?

For BN11:

Number of plants = hedge length (metres) × 6

Examples:

• 100 metre hedge = 600 plants

• 150 metre hedge = 900 plants
  

Order 5–10% extra to cover losses and replacements.

BN11 requires bare-root whips around 45–60 cm tall, usually 2-year-old nursery plants.

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8. Quick Project Checklist

Here is a simple summary you can use:

1. Planning

   • Measure hedge length

   • Decide whether it is BN7 (gap filling) or BN11 (new hedge)

   • Confirm you control both sides of the boundary, or get the neighbour’s written consent
     

2. Application

   • Map the hedge line in the Rural Payments system

   • Complete your BN7 or BN11 application or capital grant request

   • Wait for written approval before you spend money
     

3. Ordering and preparation

   • Order native hedge whips, guards, canes and any mulch

   • Clear a 1.5 m strip along the hedge line

   • Lightly cultivate and mark out the rows
     

4. Planting (Nov–Mar)

   • Plant in a double staggered row for BN11 (6 plants per metre)

   • Gap up existing hedges sensibly under BN7

   • Firm plants in well and protect roots from drying
     

5. Protection and aftercare

   • Install guards and fencing where required

   • Keep weeds down and water in dry spells

   • Replace any failures the next winter
     

6. Claiming your grant (England)

   • Take photos and keep invoices

   • Submit your claim after the work is complete

   • Keep evidence in case of inspection

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9. Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a full-time farmer to apply?

No. Any land manager in England with management control of the land can apply, including tenants (with landlord consent) and smallholders. The key requirement is that you control both sides of the hedge line or have a formal agreement with your neighbour.

Can I plant a BN11 hedge on a boundary with my neighbour?

Yes, but only if:

• You have your neighbour’s written agreement, or

• The hedge is clearly within your own boundary and fully under your control.

If there is any doubt, it is often easier to plant just inside your boundary on your side of the fence to avoid future disputes.

Is there a minimum hedge length for BN11?

There is no widely stated strict minimum length. However, very short lengths may not be worth the paperwork on their own. Many farmers choose to include hedge planting as part of a wider Countryside Stewardship application or combine several stretches to make it more worthwhile.

When do I get paid?

In England, BN7 and BN11 payments are made after the work is completed and your claim is processed. You must:

• Plant the hedge

• Take photos and keep receipts

• Submit a claim through the Rural Payments system

Processing times vary, so you should be ready to cover plants and labour costs up front until payment arrives.

What happens if some plants die?

You are expected to replant any failures in the next planting season. A few dead plants will not normally cause a problem as long as you fill the gaps and the hedge ends up continuous and dense. Many suppliers offer a short guarantee on hedge plants, so it is worth checking.

Can I use plastic guards and shelters?

Yes, individual guards, spiral shelters and similar products are allowed and are often recommended where rabbits or hares are present. However:

• You should remove guards once plants are established

• Consider biodegradable options where possible

• Fencing is usually more important than guards, where livestock are the main risk

How does BN11 link to long-term hedge management schemes?

Think of BN11 as the creation stage:

• BN11 pays you to plant the hedge

Later, you may be able to enter the hedge into management actions, such as:

• Countryside Stewardship hedgerow management options

• Sustainable Farming Incentive hedgerow actions

These can provide annual payments for maintaining hedges in a wildlife-friendly way, for example by cutting less often and outside the bird nesting season

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10. Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Planting and restoring hedges is one of the most practical ways to deliver environmental, livestock and landscape benefits on your farm. With BN7 and BN11, you can often do this in a cost-neutral way while strengthening your long-term infrastructure.

Before you start:

• Check the latest Countryside Stewardship or SFI guidance on GOV.UK

• Talk to your adviser or local environmental officer if you are unsure which option fits your fields

• Plan your hedge in good time so plants arrive early in the planting season
  

If you would like help choosing species mixes, calculating plant numbers or planning a BN7 or BN11 application, get in touch with your usual adviser or supplier. With the right planning and a bit of winter work, you can create hedges that protect your stock, support wildlife and leave a lasting legacy across your farm.

Happy hedging – and remember to keep your photos and paperwork safe for the claim.