PART of the Yorkshire Dales has become one of two pilot areas in England for a new style of agri-environment scheme, in which farmers retain full control over the management of their land.

Sone 19 farms in the Wensleydale area are taking part in the three-year “Payment by Results” project.

Farmers are being paid for producing species-rich meadows or good quality habitat for breeding waders such as curlew, snipe, lapwing and redshank.

The payments, in keeping with all agri-environment schemes, subsidise the costs to the farmer of managing their land less intensively than they otherwise would to maximise profits.

However instead of following a set of rules, such as strict mowing dates, farmers are free to manage the land as they see fit in order to achieve a positive environmental outcome or result.

The project is being coordinated by Natural England and delivered in partnership with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority which is acting on behalf of the Northern Upland Chain Local Nature Partnership.

One of the farmers in the pilot, Tom Fawcett, 58, representing CH Fawcett and Sons of Nappa Scar, Askrigg, said: “It’s a good scheme and I hope it succeeds, because it is helping to preserve hay meadows and wetland habitats. There’s not too much red tape and you’re letting farmers get on with it.

“Without this compensation, you’d need to increase your stocking ratio to meet rising costs. That would mean improving the land by draining it, or adding lime or fertiliser.”

He added: “I only hope this scheme is carried on."