Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship: Advanced Environmental Management and Application Process

The Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship scheme is specifically designed for landowners and farmers who are looking to undertake more complex environmental projects that require long-term commitment and collaboration. Higher-Tier agreements focus on managing priority habitats, creating new woodlands, restoring wetlands, and supporting species-rich grasslands. These projects often involve multi-year plans and tailored management strategies to deliver significant environmental benefits.

In this article, we will explore what Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship includes, who can apply, and provide a step-by-step guide to completing a successful application for these advanced agreements.

What is Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship?

Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship is targeted at land that requires specialist management due to its environmental significance, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), woodlands, and other sensitive habitats. It supports complex projects that require careful planning and may involve multiple stakeholders, such as ecologists, environmental consultants, and local authorities. The scheme helps protect and enhance England’s most valuable environmental assets through habitat restoration, woodland creation, and water quality improvements.

Key Benefits of Higher-Tier:

• Support for Large-Scale Environmental Projects: Provides funding for projects with a broad scope, such as restoring entire ecosystems or creating extensive woodland areas.
• Tailored Management Plans: Agreements are customised to address specific environmental needs of the land and species present.
• Long-Term Environmental Benefits: Higher-Tier agreements are typically 5-year commitments, ensuring that complex projects receive sustained support over time.

What Does Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship Include?

Higher-Tier agreements cover a variety of actions tailored to deliver specific environmental outcomes. These include woodland creation and management, habitat restoration, species protection, and more. Below are some key categories of Higher-Tier options:

Woodland Creation and Management

Woodland creation and management are core components of Higher-Tier agreements. These options support the establishment of new woodlands and the management of existing ones to promote biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and landscape connectivity.

• WD1: Woodland Creation – Maintenance Payments
  • Purpose: Supports the planting of new woodlands and provides maintenance payments for up to 10 years.
  • Payment Rate: £300 per hectare (ha) per year for maintenance.
• WD2: Woodland Improvement
  • Purpose: Funds management activities that enhance the health and biodiversity of existing woodlands, such as thinning, coppicing, and pest control.
  • Payment Rate: Depends on the specific management activities carried out.

Grassland Management and Restoration

These options focus on maintaining and restoring species-rich grasslands that support a diverse range of plant and animal species.

• GS6: Management of Species-Rich Grassland
  • Purpose: Maintains and restores species-rich grassland habitats.
  • Payment Rate: £182 per hectare (ha) per year.
• GS7: Restoration towards Species-Rich Grassland
  • Purpose: Restores semi-improved or degraded grassland to species-rich grassland, improving habitat value.
  • Payment Rate: £265 per hectare (ha) per year.

Wetland and Water Quality Improvement

Wetland and water quality options are designed to enhance water bodies, reduce sediment and nutrient runoff, and create new wetland habitats.

• WT3: Management of Wet Grassland for Wintering Waders and Wildfowl
  • Purpose: Supports management of wet grasslands to benefit bird species such as lapwing and curlew.
  • Payment Rate: £210 per hectare (ha) per year.
• SW6: Management of Watercourses
  • Purpose: Manages watercourses to reduce erosion and improve water quality.
  • Payment Rate: £3.60 per metre.

Species Protection and Habitat Creation

Higher-Tier agreements can include specific measures for protecting rare or declining species and creating habitats that support a diverse range of flora and fauna.

• SP9: Creation of Scrapes and Wet Features for Wildlife
  • Purpose: Creates wetland features that provide feeding and breeding habitats for waders and other bird species.
  • Payment Rate: £494 per hectare (ha).
• SP8: Management of Habitat for Arable Plants
  • Purpose: Supports management practices that benefit arable plant species, which are often vulnerable to intensive agricultural practices.
  • Payment Rate: £60 per hectare (ha) per year.

Who Can Apply for Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship?

Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship is open to a wide range of applicants, including:

• Landowners and Farmers: Those who own or manage land that has high environmental value or is designated for conservation, such as SSSIs or priority habitats.
• Tenants: Tenants can apply, provided they have the landlord’s permission and a tenancy agreement that covers the full length of the agreement.
• Environmental Organisations: Organisations managing nature reserves, woodlands, or other conservation areas can also apply for Higher-Tier agreements.

Eligibility Criteria for Higher-Tier Agreements

To be eligible for Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Location: The land must be in England and registered with the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).
• Environmental Value: Land must have a significant environmental value, such as priority habitats, SSSIs, or areas with rare species.
• Management Control: Applicants must have management control of the land for the duration of the agreement, typically 5 years, but longer commitments may be required for woodland creation or habitat restoration projects.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Higher-Tier Application Process

Applying for Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship involves a detailed planning process and often requires professional input, such as from ecologists or environmental consultants. Here’s a step-by-step guide to completing your application:

Step 1: Assess Eligibility and Register Land

• Ensure that your land is registered on the Rural Land Register (RLR) and that it meets the eligibility criteria.
• Confirm that you have management control over the land for the duration of the agreement.

Step 2: Develop a Comprehensive Management Plan

• Create a detailed Countryside Stewardship Management Plan (CSMP) outlining the environmental outcomes you aim to achieve.
• Include maps, habitat surveys, and any relevant environmental data to support your application.

Step 3: Engage with Local Advisers and Stakeholders

• Consult with local Natural England advisers, forestry officers, or other environmental experts to ensure that your management plan meets all necessary standards and objectives.
• Consider engaging with stakeholders such as neighbouring landowners, local authorities, or conservation groups if your project will have wider environmental impacts.

Step 4: Submit an Initial Application

• Submit an initial Higher-Tier application through the RPA’s online portal or via paper application forms. This will typically include your management plan and supporting documentation.
• Once submitted, your application will be reviewed, and you may be asked to provide additional information or adjust your management plan.

Step 5: Undertake a Site Visit and Consultation

• Higher-Tier applications often require a site visit by Natural England or other statutory bodies to assess the feasibility and impact of the proposed actions.
• Be prepared to discuss your management plan and make adjustments based on feedback from the site visit.

Step 6: Finalise and Submit Your Full Application

• Incorporate any changes or recommendations from the site visit into your final management plan and application.
• Submit your final application and await confirmation of approval and agreement terms.

Working with Other Countryside Stewardship Options and Schemes

Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship can be integrated with other schemes such as Mid-Tier or Capital Grants. This allows for a comprehensive approach to land management, ensuring that large-scale projects receive support for both immediate improvements and ongoing maintenance.

• Combining with Mid-Tier Options: Use Mid-Tier options on less environmentally sensitive areas while applying Higher-Tier actions on priority habitats or SSSIs to maximise environmental benefits across your farm or estate.
• Using Capital Grants: Capital Grants can be used to fund infrastructure improvements, such as fencing or creating access tracks, which support Higher-Tier management activities.

Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship is an excellent option for landowners and farmers looking to take on more complex and impactful environmental projects. Its emphasis on long-term management and collaboration ensures that significant environmental benefits can be achieved while supporting sustainable land use.

If you’re considering applying for a Higher-Tier agreement, start by developing a detailed management plan, engage with local advisers, and explore how it can be integrated with other Countryside Stewardship options to create a cohesive and sustainable approach to land management.

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