14th February 2020

We are encouraging farmers, foresters and land managers to apply for the new Countryside Stewardship Scheme as the application window has opened this week.

Countryside Stewardship Scheme agreements can provide a viable source of income to those who deliver environmental benefits on their land – including habitats for wildlife, creating woodlands and managing flood risk.

Applying this year is the best way to prepare for the government’s future Environmental Land Management (ELM) Scheme, which will reward farmers for producing ‘public goods’ such as better air and water quality or improved access to the countryside.

Richard Corbett, Partner with Roger Parry & Partners said, “Farmers and landowners need to think about entering this scheme sooner rather than later. I’m encouraging farmers to complete their applications and claims promptly and ensure they are submitted as soon as possible.”

Farmers and land managers who are new to taking on environmental work or with expired or expiring Environmental Stewardship agreements can apply for:

• Mid Tier – Farmers and land managers can choose from all available multi-year options and capital items to form an agreement which delivers local environmental benefits.
• Higher Tier – Applicants managing more complex land in environmentally significant sites, commons or woodlands which requires support from Natural England or the Forestry Commission.
• Wildlife Offers – Designed to help guide farmers to the most straightforward options for their farm type, making it easier and simpler to secure a CS agreement. Offers are split into different packages for farm types: arable, lowland grazing, upland, and mixed farming.
• Hedgerows and Boundaries – Provides grants for farmers to restore existing farm boundaries and hedgerows on their land.
• Woodland Support – Farmers and land managers can apply for woodland creation, management plan and tree health grants all year round. Woodland creation provides funding to supply, plant, weed and protect young trees.

Richard added, “Roger Parry & Partners have had great success in submitting Countryside Stewardship Scheme applications for clients, with applications last year amounting to over £220,000 of income for farmers and over £345,000 worth of Capital items. 

“For more information about the Scheme and if you need our assistance to apply please call us. Oswestry – Richard Corbett and Rosina Bloor: 01691 655334. Minsterley – Charis Denham: 01743 791336. Welshpool: Amy Thomas: 01938 554499 and Llanidloes – Clare Williams: 01686 449222.”