Understanding Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants: Funding for Environmental Enhancements and Farm Infrastructure

Updated on the 16th of January 2025

Countryside stewardship capital grants are like a well-tended hedgerow—supportive, full of potential, and capable of connecting you to broader benefits. Designed to help farmers and land managers across England, these grants provide targeted funding for improvements that benefit both the environment and your farm’s productivity. With updates in 2024 and 2025 bringing fresh opportunities and more generous payments, now is the time to explore how these grants can work for you.

What are countryside stewardship capital grants?

Capital grants are part of the Countryside Stewardship scheme, offering funding for specific, tangible projects that deliver environmental or infrastructure benefits. These grants are perfect for addressing one-off improvements like creating wildlife habitats, enhancing water management, or installing fencing. Whether you’re looking to boost biodiversity, reduce flood risks, or make your farm more sustainable, capital grants provide the financial backing to make it happen.

The scheme supports farmers with funding that ranges from a few hundred pounds for small actions to thousands for more significant projects. For instance, grants for hedgerow creation now provide up to £2,000 per kilometre, while support for tree planting can reach £6,800 per hectare. These figures reflect recent updates aimed at increasing participation and impact.

What’s new in 2025?

The 2025 updates have introduced several exciting changes, making the scheme even more accessible and impactful:

1. Higher payment rates: Many grants have seen an increase, with biodiversity-friendly planting, fencing, and water management options now offering more generous support.
2. Broader eligibility: Tenant farmers, smaller farms, and upland holdings have been given enhanced access to grants. There’s no longer a need to hold long-term leases for certain actions, provided you can demonstrate management control.
3. Expanded options: New grant categories include funding for agroforestry projects, such as planting trees in pastureland, with payments of up to £8,000 per hectare depending on the project’s scope and location.
4. Integration with other schemes: The streamlined application process now allows you to combine capital grants with mid-tier and sustainable farming incentive (SFI) agreements, reducing paperwork and maximising opportunities.

How can capital grants benefit your farm?

Picture this: A corner of your field that’s prone to flooding becomes a thriving wetland, home to wading birds and pollinators. A tired hedgerow is restored, sheltering crops and wildlife alike. These are the kinds of transformations that capital grants make possible.

Here are some popular uses:

• Hedgerows and boundaries: Receive funding for planting, gapping up, or laying hedgerows. Grants provide up to £22 per metre for planting and additional support for protective fencing.
• Water management: Tackle flooding and water quality issues with grants for swales, sediment traps, and buffer strips. Payments can reach £1,200 per hectare for buffer zones.
• Wildlife-friendly infrastructure: Create habitats for birds, bats, or pollinators. Grants cover nesting boxes, wildflower meadow creation, and pond restoration, with support varying by project size and type.
• Agroforestry: Blend trees with agriculture to boost carbon storage and resilience. Payments for agroforestry projects start at £6,800 per hectare, with additional funding for fencing and maintenance.

Steps to secure a capital grant

Applying for a countryside stewardship capital grant doesn’t have to feel like navigating a maze. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Assess your needs: Walk your land and identify areas ripe for improvement. Are there places prone to soil erosion? Could hedgerows or buffer strips enhance your farm’s biodiversity?
2. Talk to your landlord: If you’re a tenant, ensure your landlord is on board. Highlight the mutual benefits, such as enhanced land value and reduced maintenance costs.
3. Register your farm: Sign up with the Rural Payments service and ensure your details are up to date. This is a prerequisite for all grant applications.
4. Plan your project: Use tools like AskGrant’s GrantBudgeter to estimate costs and identify the best funding options. DEFRA’s advisors can also provide tailored guidance.
5. Submit your application: Applications are open year-round. The streamlined system allows you to bundle multiple grant types, simplifying the process and maximising your funding potential.
6. Prepare for follow-ups: Keep your documents organised—maps, photos, and cost estimates—to respond promptly to any queries from the grant team.

Why now is the time to act

The countryside stewardship capital grants are more accessible and beneficial than ever before. With higher payment rates, expanded eligibility, and new project categories, 2025 is the year to take advantage of these opportunities. Whether it’s planting hedgerows, managing water flow, or creating habitats, these grants help you invest in your farm’s future while supporting the environment.

At AskGrant, we’re here to make the process simple and stress-free. Our tools and advisors can guide you from start to finish, ensuring you unlock the full potential of the funding available. Ready to transform your farm? Sign up today and let AskGrant be your partner in progress.

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