Bracken Spraying and Other Herbicide Use

Approval from SEPA is usually required if you wish to perform aerial bracken spraying, or wish to apply herbicide by any means in or near water for any purpose. Approval is also needed from SNH with regards to aerial applications and when this activity is to take place on an SSSI, full consent from SNH is needed.

To simplify these processes for you, you only need to contact SEPA who will in turn contact SNH on your behalf. In the case of aerial bracken spraying you must legally give SEPA at least 72 hours advance notification of undertaking the spraying activity though in practice, if SEPA is given 21 days notice this usually facilitates the application process for the Land manager and SEPA. Where Consent is required for aerial spraying in relation to an SSSI, a response can legally take up to 4 months. Non-aerial applications should be brought to SEPA’s notice 21 days in advance of the intended spraying activity.

In general, the easiest way to apply for approval (including SSSI Consent for aerial spraying) is by using the online forms available from this page. Once completed correctly, relevant information in the forms will be distributed to SEPA automatically who will begin the process of considering your proposal. You will receive written confirmation of the receipt of your application together with any further advice.

The online application process is quick and easy to use; if you have all the facts and a Site Plan to hand, you should be able to complete it in less than 20 minutes. If you don’t have all of the required information, you can still get started and your partially completed form will be automatically saved for you. Please note that your application will not be deemed to have been received until such time as the form together with all supporting information such as location plans/maps etc have been received by SEPA.

Benefits of applying online:

• Speeds up the application process
• No postage required (provided you have access to a document scanner for your Site Plan)
• Easily copy and modify any of your previous applications – no need to enter the same information each time
• You only need to deal with a single agency (SEPA) except in the situation where you require Consent in relation to spraying in an SSSI in which case SNH will use the same form to complete this aspect of the process with you

Disclaimer: Although intended to simplify the process, this service does not fulfil all of your legal obligations with respect to herbicide spraying. You may be required to notify additional parties in some circumstances. Some guidance is provided on the forms, but it is your responsibility to determine who you legally need to contact.

Ready to get started?

• Apply for Aerial Bracken Spraying Consent
• Apply for Non-Aerial Herbicide Use In or Near Water
• If you've registered for this service before, you can simply log in to go directly to the home page.

If you are unable to use the online forms, please telephone the Helpline on 08452 302050 to request a paper application form, or to use the telephone assisted service.