Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier Capital Grants Announced

Natural England has unveiled the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) program. This expanded scheme offers landowners and farmers access to 151 capital items and 132 management actions, providing unparalleled opportunities to enhance their land, improve biodiversity, and secure additional income streams.

This announcement is part of the government’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) framework, a long-term plan to reward land managers for delivering public goods such as cleaner water, improved soil health, and habitats for wildlife. By introducing rolling monthly start dates and quarterly payments, the revamped CSHT scheme is designed to be as practical and accessible as it is ambitious.

What’s on Offer: Tailored Solutions for Every Landowner

The expanded CSHT scheme is a one-stop shop for landowners seeking to balance environmental stewardship with productive land use. The breadth of the offer ensures that whether you’re managing farmland, woodland, or sensitive habitats, there are funding options to match your vision.

• Tree Planting and Woodland Management: Funding supports the creation of new woodlands or integration of agroforestry systems into farmland. For example, £2,800 per hectare is available for woodland creation, with additional funding for essential items like fencing and tree shelters. Agroforestry practices—where trees are integrated into grazing or cropping systems—are also supported, delivering benefits like improved soil health and reduced flood risk.
• Flood Management: If your land is prone to waterlogging or flooding, grants are available to fund measures such as leaky dams (£2,000 per structure) and sediment traps (up to £10,000 per site). These interventions not only mitigate flood risks but also enhance water quality and support aquatic biodiversity.
• Hedgerows and Boundaries: Restoring hedgerows is a high-priority action, with payments of £11.60 per meter for planting and £4.40 per meter for stone wall restoration. These measures can boost biodiversity by providing shelter and food for wildlife, while also improving the visual appeal of your land.
• Species and Habitat Conservation: From creating ponds to enhancing grasslands, these actions are crucial for protecting native species and restoring ecosystems. Grants start at £600 per hectare, with higher rates for projects addressing particularly vulnerable species or habitats.
• Historic and Archaeological Features: Many landowners are stewards of historic landscapes or archaeological features. The scheme includes funding for preserving these assets, with grants of up to £20,000 for specialist conservation work and £500 per feature for invasive plant removal.

This wide-ranging offer reflects a key principle of the CSHT program: tailored solutions that address the specific needs of each landholding.

Why This Matters for Landowners

The importance of this scheme goes far beyond financial support. At its heart, CSHT is about enabling landowners to align their management practices with long-term environmental goals. Whether it’s enhancing soil fertility, creating wildlife corridors, or safeguarding flood-prone areas, these grants offer a practical pathway to achieving sustainability.

Consider this: an arable farmer with poorly maintained hedgerows and waterlogged fields could use the CSHT program to plant new hedgerows for £11.60 per meter, install sediment traps for £5,000 per site, and introduce cover crops to improve soil structure and reduce erosion. Over time, these actions create a farm that is more resilient to climate impacts while also increasing its productivity and ecological value.

Advice for Getting Started

To make the most of these opportunities, start by conducting a thorough review of your land. Identify areas where environmental challenges intersect with productivity goals—perhaps a wet corner of your farm that could benefit from tree planting or an overgrown boundary that could be restored as a thriving hedgerow.

Concrete Example: Suppose you own a small estate with grazing land, historic features, and a stream prone to flooding. Through the CSHT program, you could:

• Plant a buffer of trees along the stream to reduce runoff (£2,800 per hectare)
• Restore ancient hedgerows around your fields (£11.60 per meter)
• Protect a scheduled monument on your property with conservation grants (up to £20,000)

This not only transforms your estate into a model of environmental stewardship but also secures reliable funding for years to come.

Tools to Simplify the Process

While the range of options might seem overwhelming, tools like GrantAdvisor make navigating the scheme straightforward. GrantAdvisor helps you identify the most suitable grants, provides step-by-step guidance on applications, and ensures you’re making the most of available opportunities.

By using resources like GrantAdvisor, you can turn the CSHT program from a daunting array of choices into a streamlined plan for your land.

A New Era for Countryside Stewardship

The Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier grants represent a pivotal moment for landowners across England. With its expansive range of funding options, flexible application processes, and focus on practical outcomes, this scheme is as much an investment in the future of the countryside as it is in the livelihoods of its stewards.

For those ready to take the plunge, the rewards go far beyond financial gain. It’s an opportunity to create landscapes that are both productive and resilient, where nature and farming thrive together. Visit AskGrant to explore how these grants can help unlock the potential of your land. The future of countryside stewardship has arrived—don’t miss your chance to be a part of it.

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