The RPA has confirmed that you can produce a Farm Environment Record (FER) and Option Maps by using your own mapping software, such as the Land App.
To ensure your maps meet RPA guidelines, we strongly recommend that you follow the guidance below in order to have the best chance of success.
When mapping, please ensure that:
You use the most up-to-date field parcels held by the RPA for the holding. You can do this using our RPA import function and choosing “Land Parcels”
Field parcel numbers are clearly visible (e.g. 4321)
For Option Maps, ensure all options are correctly labelled and clearly visible. They should show the option code and option area/length (e.g. “AB9 1.50 ha” or “BE3 200.00m”)
For point features, your label should clearly state the number of point features contained in each parcel (e.g. “TE1 x 10”)
The styling for each option correctly matches the styling shown in the RPA’s paper application pack. By default, the styling for each option in The Land App is correct when using our Countryside Stewardship project template so you should choose to “Reset style” if you have manually changed these or you are unsure about the correct styling.
For the final output, please ensure that:
You download and submit your maps in PDF format
The Single Business Identifier (SBI) and Application Reference Number are clearly stated on every page of every map you submit. You can find these numbers on the front page of the RPA’s paper application pack you receive
You print your maps at a fixed scale of either 1:5,000 or 1:10,000 for larger holdings
You print using the Ordnance Survey Light basemap (i.e. greyscale). This will ensure that your field boundaries are clearly identifiable
You include a legend on every page of every map you submit
For further guidance on how to produce a Countryside Stewardship map in The Land App, including a short tutorial video, please visit our online help centre here. You can also rewatch our hour-long CSS webinar: CSS Webinar
If you are in any doubt about whether you can submit your maps produced on The Land App, we suggest that you also complete the paper maps provided by the RPA in the application packs you receive. You can read the official mapping guidance from the RPA here.