Countryside Stewardship

 What is the Countryside Stewardship Scheme?

The Countryside Stewardship Scheme has been developed by DEFRA, The RPA, The Forestry Commission and Natural England to help farmers and land managers to protect wildlife, create new habitats and reduce flood risk.  The scheme funds projects that are aimed at:

• Habitat restoration
• Flood risk reduction and water quality improvement
• Woodland improvement
• Landscape protection
• Protection of landscapes and wildlife

There are two tiers to the Stewardship and these are:

• Mid Tier of Countryside Stewardship 
  • This offers 5-year agreements with the aim of providing environmental improvements such as improving the environment for birds, pollinators and farm wildlife.
• Higher Tier of Countryside Stewardship
  • This tier focuses on environmentally important sites, including commons, woodlands and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSI’s), where the more complex management requires support from Natural England or the Forestry Commission.

Also from time to time other grants are available to help support capital expenditure in the maintenance and management of hedgerows, the restoration of historic buildings and supporting woodland development and management.

DDM Agriculture and JH Pickup & Co have extensive experience in helping our clients to; 

a) identify the correct level of scheme or funding package for their business

b) apply for the appropriate level of scheme; and

c) advise in the delivery of all levels of scheme funded by the Countryside Stewardship scheme.

If you wish to ask us any questions related to the Countryside Stewardship scheme or wish to apply then please get in touch.