January 2025 Countryside Stewardship updates: What landowners need to know

January 2025 has brought significant updates to the UK government’s Countryside Stewardship (CS) scheme, with key changes aimed at helping landowners enhance their land’s productivity and environmental value. Among the highlights: Higher Tier Capital Grants are open for applications again, and processes for claims and agreements have been streamlined.

If you’re a landowner considering restoration, biodiversity, or water quality projects, these updates offer both clarity and opportunity. Let’s break them down in a way that makes sense for you and your land.

Higher tier capital grants are back: What does this mean for you?

Higher Tier Capital Grants are designed for more complex projects that demand detailed planning and deliver significant environmental benefits. After being paused, the scheme has reopened with updated guidance to make the application process more transparent and accessible.

What can you use these grants for?

• Habitat restoration: Revive species-rich grasslands, restore wetlands, or plant native woodlands to support biodiversity.
• Water quality improvements: Install buffer strips along watercourses, create wetlands to filter runoff, or plant hedgerows to stabilize soil.
• Biodiversity projects: Connect fragmented habitats with wildlife corridors, introduce wildflower strips, or enhance grasslands for pollinators and nesting birds.

Why it matters:
For a landowner, this is an opportunity to take on ambitious, long-term projects without shouldering the full financial burden. If you’ve been putting off a big idea—like restoring that neglected corner of your land or addressing persistent runoff issues—these grants make it feasible.

Other updates you should know

The January 2025 updates also bring new opportunities and streamlined processes:

Easier claims process

Submitting claims for capital and revenue items can be a headache, but the government has now simplified the process. You can file applications and claims online through the Rural Payments service, with detailed guidance available to walk you through every step.

What does this mean for you?
You’ll spend less time wrestling with paperwork and more time focusing on your projects. Whether you’re claiming for fencing, planting, or drainage improvements, the streamlined process reduces delays and confusion.

Updated terms and conditions

The 2025 terms and conditions for Countryside Stewardship agreements have been refreshed to provide clearer guidance on what’s expected of you as an agreement holder.

Key changes include:

• Clearer responsibilities: You’ll have a better understanding of your obligations, from maintaining funded features to monitoring biodiversity gains.
• Payment structures: Revised payment schedules and rates ensure that funding aligns with current land management costs and practices.

Why should you care?
Clarity means fewer surprises. You’ll know exactly what’s required to stay compliant and maximize your payments, helping you manage your land confidently and effectively.

Expanded woodland support

If you manage woodlands, the 2025 Woodland Tree Health Grants are worth noting. These grants provide funding to address tree pests and diseases, restock woodlands with resilient species, and create sustainable management plans.

How can this help you?

• If ash dieback or other diseases have affected your trees, you can access funding to safely remove and replace them.
• Creating a woodland management plan not only improves the health of your woodlands but also makes you eligible for other funding streams.

How to apply for higher tier capital grants

Getting started might feel daunting, but it’s manageable with the right steps:

1. Read the guidance thoroughly: The updated guidance documents are your map to success. They detail eligibility requirements, application forms, and deadlines.
2. Plan your project carefully: You’ll need a clear vision of what you want to achieve. This includes maps of your land, specific goals (like reducing water pollution or boosting biodiversity), and how you’ll measure success.
3. Meet the deadlines: Missing deadlines can cost you funding opportunities. Mark your calendar and leave plenty of time for preparation.

Key tip: Don’t let the paperwork overwhelm you. AskGrant provides tailored support to ensure your application stands out and meets all the requirements. From mapping your project to navigating deadlines, our tools and advice help you stay on track.

Why these updates matter for landowners

The 2025 Countryside Stewardship updates reflect the government’s commitment to supporting sustainable land management. For landowners, this is an opportunity to take on ambitious projects with financial backing, while contributing to biodiversity, soil health, and water quality improvements.

Whether you’re managing a few hectares or an expansive estate, the Higher Tier Capital Grants and other 2025 updates make it easier to secure funding, plan ambitious projects, and align your efforts with national goals for biodiversity, soil health, and water quality.

Curious about what’s possible for your land? Explore AskGrant today for tailored advice and support in navigating grants, maximizing your funding, and achieving your countryside goals. Let’s make 2025 a year of real change for your land.

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