Overview of Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants, including funding for hedgerows, tree planting, water management, and infrastructure improvements, with guidance on eligibility, payment rates, and combining grants with other schemes like SFI and EWCO.
The Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants scheme provides targeted funding to help landowners and farmers in England implement specific environmental improvements and infrastructure projects on their land. These grants support a wide range of one-off projects that can enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, protect natural resources, and boost the overall resilience of farms and estates.
Capital Grants are particularly useful for landowners looking to make tangible improvements, such as installing fencing, planting new trees, or implementing water management practices. This article takes a detailed look at the types of Capital Grants available, eligibility and payment rates, and how to integrate these grants with other funding sources like the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO).
What Are Capital Grants in Countryside Stewardship?
Capital Grants are one-off payments that support specific, time-bound projects aimed at improving the environmental and structural features of a farm or estate. Unlike Mid-Tier or Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship agreements, which usually involve multi-year commitments, Capital Grants focus on distinct improvements that can be completed within a shorter timeframe (typically two years).
Key Features of Capital Grants:
- Project-Specific Funding: Grants are provided for individual projects, such as planting hedgerows, installing fencing, or creating ponds.
- Flexibility: Landowners can apply for Capital Grants as standalone projects or integrate them into broader Countryside Stewardship agreements.
- One-Time Payments: These grants are designed to cover the full cost of implementing specific capital items and are paid out upon project completion and verification.
Types of Capital Grants Available
Capital Grants under Countryside Stewardship are grouped into several categories, each targeting a different aspect of land and habitat management. Here are the main types of grants available:
Boundaries, Trees, and Orchards Capital Grants
These grants focus on creating and managing traditional farm boundaries, establishing new woodlands, and maintaining orchards. They are ideal for landowners looking to enhance the structural features of their land.
- BN11: Planting New Hedgerows
- Purpose: Supports the planting of new hedgerows to create wildlife corridors, improve landscape character, and provide shelter for livestock.
- Payment Rate: £11.60 per metre.
- BN12: Gapping-Up Hedgerows
- Purpose: Provides funding to fill gaps in existing hedgerows to improve connectivity and structural integrity.
- Payment Rate: £9.50 per metre.
- TE4: Tree Planting
- Purpose: Offers funding for planting new trees to support biodiversity and enhance landscape character.
- Payment Rate: £1.28 per tree, plus £3.25 for tree shelters or guards.
- PA2: Planting Standard Orchard Trees
- Purpose: Establishes or restores traditional orchards to maintain landscape character and provide habitat for orchard-specific species.
- Payment Rate: £22.97 per tree.
Water Quality and Resource Protection Capital Grants
These grants support measures that reduce soil erosion, prevent nutrient runoff, and improve water quality. They are particularly relevant for farms with watercourses or areas prone to soil erosion.
- RP4: Livestock and Machinery Hardstanding
- Purpose: Creates hardstanding areas to prevent poaching and soil erosion around high-traffic areas.
- Payment Rate: £27 per square metre.
- RP7: Sediment Traps
- Purpose: Establishes sediment traps to reduce sediment runoff and protect water quality.
- Payment Rate: £133 per trap.
- RP15: Watercourse Fencing
- Purpose: Fencing off watercourses to prevent livestock access, reducing bank erosion and water pollution.
- Payment Rate: £4.90 per metre.
Infrastructure and Farm Resilience Capital Grants
These grants support infrastructure projects that improve the resilience and productivity of farms, such as installing fencing, improving tracks, and creating livestock shelters.
- FG1: Fencing
- Purpose: Provides funding for erecting new fencing to protect environmental features, watercourses, or new planting.
- Payment Rate: £4.90 per metre.
- FG14: Access Track Maintenance
- Purpose: Supports the creation or maintenance of farm tracks to reduce soil compaction and improve accessibility.
- Payment Rate: £33.00 per square metre.
Eligibility and Payment Rates for Capital Grants
To apply for Capital Grants, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Location: The land must be in England and registered with the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).
- Land Type: Eligible land includes agricultural land, woodland, and land adjacent to watercourses.
- Management Control: Applicants must have management control over the land for the duration of the agreement, which is usually two years for Capital Grants.
- Compliance: Projects must comply with environmental regulations, including requirements for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and permissions from local authorities if applicable.
Combining Capital Grants with Other Funding Schemes
Capital Grants can be used alongside other schemes to support more comprehensive land management strategies. This is particularly beneficial for landowners looking to make large-scale improvements that require funding from multiple sources. Below are some key considerations for combining Capital Grants with other schemes:
Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
- Capital Grants can complement SFI options, such as soil health improvements or water quality measures. For example, if you are using SFI to improve soil structure, you can apply for Capital Grants to install fencing around newly established buffer strips or riparian zones.
England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)
- If you are using EWCO to establish new woodlands, Capital Grants can provide additional funding for installing tree guards, creating access tracks, or fencing off the new planting area to protect young trees from grazing.
Combining with Mid-Tier and Higher-Tier Countryside Stewardship
- Capital Grants can be used to enhance ongoing Mid-Tier or Higher-Tier agreements by funding specific items like sediment traps or watercourse fencing. This helps to create a more holistic environmental management plan across the farm or estate.
Practical Advice for Using Capital Grants Effectively
To make the most of Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants, consider the following tips:
- Plan Ahead: Develop a clear plan that outlines your objectives, identifies the capital items needed, and how they will contribute to your broader environmental and agricultural goals.
- Consult with Advisers: Engage with local advisers or environmental consultants to ensure your project complies with all regulations and to identify the most appropriate capital items for your needs.
- Coordinate with Other Schemes: Check if your project is eligible for other schemes and consider applying for additional funding through SFI, EWCO, or other local grant programmes.
- Keep Records: Maintain detailed records of all activities, including invoices, receipts, and photographs of completed projects. This will help streamline the claim process and ensure that payments are made promptly.
Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants offer a unique opportunity for landowners and farmers to implement targeted environmental improvements and enhance farm infrastructure. Whether you’re looking to plant new hedgerows, establish watercourse fencing, or improve farm access tracks, Capital Grants can provide the financial support needed to bring your projects to life.
By understanding the types of grants available, eligibility requirements, and how to integrate Capital Grants with other funding schemes, you can create a comprehensive management plan that delivers long-term environmental and economic benefits for your land.
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