Countryside Stewardship (CS) replaces the old Entry and Higher Level Stewardship schemes (ELS and HLS), it also now encompasses Woodland Grant Schemes and Catchment Sensitive Farming. The agreement handbook is yet to be published for 2017, but assuming that there are no major changes to the application process from previous years, the Higher-Tier application period will run until 30 April 2017 and the Mid-tier application period will run until 30 September 2017.
However, the following aspects of the scheme are currently open for applications:
Hedgerows & Boundaries
Capital grants of up to &5,000 per applicant for stone wall restoration, hedgerow laying, coppicing and gapping-up. Note that the land must not be within an existing mid or higher-tier CS Scheme, Uplands ELS scheme, or HLS scheme. Unlike in previous years existing English Woodland Grant Scheme and ELS scheme holders may apply for a hedgerow & boundary grant, provided the works applied for are not already subject to another obligation under the existing scheme. Application period runs until 28 April 2017.
Woodland Grant Schemes
Woodland Creation: Funding to supply, plant, weed and protect young trees is available to farmers and landowners wishing to create at least 3 hectares of woodland across the holding (in blocks of at least 0.5 hectares each). The payment rate is up to &6,800 per hectare, plus a 10 year maintenance payment of &200 per hectare annually. Application period runs until 1 March 2017, for planting autumn 2017.
Woodland Management Plan: Funding to produce a Woodland Management Plan to document the objectives of the woodland on a farm or estate, and demonstrate how the woodland will be managed sustainably to meet these objectives. Applications are accepted year-round. For further information contact Charlotte Gore on 07785 425317or email here