Member Article

Countryside Stewardship Scheme: Expression of Interest Deadline Looms

New Countryside Stewardship Scheme Higher Tier: Expression of Interest Deadline Looms

Natural England is inviting expressions of interest for applications to the Higher Tier of the new Countryside Stewardship scheme, which provides incentives for farmers, woodland owners and other land managers to look after their environment.

Commenting on the approaching deadline and its significance to the rural sector, Claire Bainbridge, Rural Chartered Surveyor at George F White, said: “The Higher Tier is competitive and targeted at environmentally significant sites, commons and woodlands that need more complex management and support. It is the equivalent of the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) that the Countryside Stewardship Scheme replaces and those with expiring agreements must submit an Expression of Interest form by 15th July 2015. These forms will be assessed and those that offer the best environmental value will be offered direct support to develop their Higher Tier application”.

The window for applications deadline starts 1st July 2015 and ends 30th September 2015 with successful applications being confirmed by December 2015, and agreements commencing on 1st January 2016. If land managers miss the 15th July deadline, it’s still possible to submit a Higher Tier application but on the understanding that support from Natural England or the Forestry Commission will be limited. Agreements will require a survey of the features to be included in the application, which will be done by the Natural England adviser supporting the application, at no cost to the applicant.

Bainbridge continued: “As the 15th July approaches, it’s imperative that those wanting to be considered for Higher Tier in 2016 start the ball rolling. With many of our farming sectors suffering from price volatility due to global pressures, exchange rate as well as domestic pressure, having secure income through environmental schemes is often crucial to many farming businesses in our region.”

Land being considered for a Higher Tier agreement must include one or more of the following:

Features, issues and opportunities that require management options or capital items that are only available in a Higher Tier agreement; Land that is registered common land; Woodland being proposed for woodland improvement (infrastructure, capital or a multi annual agreement) and has a Forestry Commission approved woodland management plan; and Applications where Wild Pollinator and Farm Wildlife Package is to be applied to more than 5% of the farmed area.

Bainbridge added: “In many cases Natural England and the Forestry Commission will be aware of sites that offer significant environmental benefits and will have written to those with expiring HLS agreements who may be eligible. On submission of an Expression of Interest form, Natural England will then provide support with the application process. Farmers, woodland owners and land managers should submit an Expression of Interest form if they feel that their farm is an environmentally significant site, irrespective of whether they have received a letter from Natural England”.

To discuss the Expression of Interest deadline further and what it entails, please contact Claire Bainbridge on clairebainbridge@georgefwhite.co.uk or telephone number 07870 644946.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by George F White .