GovWire

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) needs to make sure all land data on the Rural Payments service is up to date. We do this by checking the digital maps and updating them if necessary.

What data we use to check for map updates

We check and update digital land maps using information from the latest available data sources. These include:

• site visits
• land imagery, such as aerial photography
• Ordnance Survey (OS) map updates
• change requests from customers rural land and entitlements (RLE1) forms

Map updates are carried out annually, so we only need to use data that is less than one year old. The updates are made between December and February before most customers apply for funded schemes or the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).

If you request a change to your digital maps after weve completed the annual map updates, we will check the latest information we hold to decide if your digital map needs to be updated further.

What we map

We use digital maps to record physical land parcel boundaries and features which will be included in applications and claims for some rural payment schemes. Find the list of these schemes and information on non-agricultural areas and features in the RLE1 guidance.

Land parcels

A land parcel is an area of land that is 0.0100 hectares (ha) or larger with physical boundaries.

Examples of physical boundaries are:

• hedges, walls, rivers, drains, ditches, roads
• obvious changes such as woodland next to grass
• watercourses if wider than 4 metres (m) can sometimes be used as a boundary
• boundary stones and marker posts

Examples not accepted as boundaries include:

• natural paths
• temporary boundaries, such as temporary electric fences, plough lines, buffer areas between crops

Split land parcels

A land parcel is split on the digital map and recorded as 2 separate parcels if a parcel lies across a less favoured area (LFA) boundary. The LFA boundaries are usually based on actual physical boundaries that are shown on OS maps.

Merged land parcels

If a permanent boundary is removed, the land parcels are merged and recorded as one land parcel. We do not merge land parcels when the parcels are registered to different customers. In these cases, the existing parcel boundaries will not be changed.

Land cover

We record land cover but not land use. We classify land by identifying the physical nature of the land, referred to as land covers.

Table 1 shows the 4 land cover groups, and some examples of the land uses in each group.

Land use is a sub-category of land cover describing the activity carried out under a land cover type. (There is one land use which has the same name as the land cover group permanent grassland.)

Table 1: Examples of land cover and land use

Read the Non-agricultural land under certain agri-environment or woodland scheme agreements section of the Rural payments: land use codes 2023 for more information about non-agricultural BPS-eligible areas.

How we tell you weve updated a land parcel

If we update your land parcels, you will receive notifications in the Messages tab in the Rural Payments service. You need to check your land maps online to see the changes

If you need to make a change to your land maps, you need to telephone RPA on 03000 200 301, or submit an RLE1 form.

We will tell you in writing whether your change has been made or explain why it cannot be made.

How to check your digital land maps

You can see digital maps of all the land parcels registered to your holding using the Rural Payments service.

1. Sign in to the Rural Payments service.
2. From the Business overview screen, click Land then View land.
3. To view individual land parcel details, select the land parcel you need. The Parcel details screen shows you a digital map and details of the land parcel. There is also a Photo option as well as the Map option.

You need to check:

• all your land parcels are shown as linked to your SBI
• the permanent boundaries are shown correctly
• the land covers are shown correctly
• land has not been linked to your SBI by mistake

Where weve made a change and you believe the map or any of the details are incorrect you cantelephone us on 03000 200 301.

If we agree this is an error in the mapping work we will change it. If the mapping work is correct but you do not agree with the work weve done, you will need to follow the instructions on what to do if you do not agree with the updates in this guide.

You need to request a change to your digital maps if you believe the map or the details are incorrect because:

• youve made changes to the land that are not shown in your digital maps
• you disagree with a change weve made

Read the What to do if you do not agree with the updates section.

If you are not sure why the change has been made, you can contact us.

What you can expect to see

Some of the updates are small but updates such as boundary changes, area changes or land cover changes can be important and can affect your agreements or payments.

Sometimes we may have to remove a feature to make an update. In these cases, a feature may disappear from the View land screen temporarily, but it reappears when the update is made.

For more information about scheme rules or how the changes might affect agri-environment schemes or Forestry Commission legacy schemes read the relevant guidance on:

• Basic Payment Scheme (BPS)
• Countryside Stewardship (CS) or Environmental Stewardship (ES)
• Forestry Commission legacy schemes

What to do if you do not agree with the updates

Rural Land and Entitlements (RLE1) form

You will need to use an RLE1 form to request most changes.

Download the RLE1 form, complete it electronically and return it to us as a PDF email attachment.

If you are unable to do this, you can print the RLE1 form, fill it in by hand and post it to us.

Follow the guidance on how to complete and submit your 