Following changes to Countryside Stewardship rules, greater opportunities have opened up for landowners wishing to claim capital grants and stewardship payments.
Due to changes to the rules, landowners with tenanted land can now claim capital grants and annual stewardship payments under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
Along with annual payments, capital grants are available for items such as the following:
Fencing
Sheep netting
New hedgerows and restoration of existing hedgerows
Stone walling
Concreting yards
Livestock drinking troughs
Livestock and machinery tracks
New field gates
Permenant electric fencing
Water gates
Tree planting and tree guards
Wildlife boxes
Biofilters
Drainage, piped culverts and ditches
Tree surgery
Rainwater goods
Sheep dip related items and drainage
Check dams
Sprayer washdown areas
Watercourse crossings
Hard bases for feed and drinking troughs
Ram pumps, pastrure pumps and associated pipework
(Further capital grants are available under the Higher Tier of the scheme).
The scheme is due to open for applications in February. Those wishing to claim or enter the scheme this year have a short window to get prepared. Get in touch if you would like assistance with preparing an application or for further information on the scheme.
For further information or assistance with applications, get in touch.