AES Comparative monitoring and evaluation of dry stone walls

Gaskell, Peter ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8830-5252, Powell, John R ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8464-4521, Malekinezhad, Fahimeh ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2774-3384, Courtney, Paul ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5683-8502, Smith, Ken, Lake, Jeremy, Parker, J, Breyer, Johanna, Pike, S, Rugg, J, Yandell-Thomas, M, Orr, S, Bull, D, West, R, Brady, R and Jack, P (2026) AES Comparative monitoring and evaluation of dry stone walls. Technical Report. DEFRA.

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Abstract

Description Agri-Environment Scheme (AES) policy has long emphasised the value of protecting the historic environment, especially field boundaries such as stone walls and stone-faced banks, as a means of delivering public benefits and ecosystem services. However, there is limited reliable information about their current extent and condition, or the effectiveness of maintenance and restoration options offered through Environmental Stewardship (ES) and Countryside Stewardship (CS) schemes. This project focused on monitoring the condition and management of dry stone walls. Four contrasting case-study locations in England were selected to assess the condition of walls and banks. Agreement holders and walling contractors were surveyed and interviewed to assess condition and management of walls and banks. Findings show boundaries under AES are more likely to be in excellent or good condition. Benefits generated between 2010 – 2025 average £5.4 million across the four case study areas. Benefit flows are influenced by utilisation of walls and banks, extent of wall improvement, and the number of residents and visitors to the area. The study finds there has been value in investment in stone wall and stone-faced bank maintenance and restoration options. Objective The project aimed to assess how agri-environment schemes have helped manage walls, review current options, and make recommendations for their future protection and management through Environmental Land Mangagement schemes. Comparative case studies will evaluate wall management in different landscapes, including protected and unprotected, and those in scheme and not, to help develop improved understanding, monitoring, and future management. Such detailed studies have not been undertaken before and this project, which will be run in partnership with Historic England, will provide an essential baseline.

Item Type:	Monograph (Technical Report)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	AES; Agri-environment Evidence Programme; Agri-environment schemes; Countryside Stewardship; Environmental Stewardship; Environmental Land Management Schemes
Subjects:	S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) > S589.75 Agriculture and the environment
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > Countryside and Community Research Institute
Depositing User:	Chris Jones
Date Deposited:	21 Aug 2026 12:18
Last Modified:	21 Aug 2026 12:18
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/16476

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