Boundary and woodland grants open in February

Two new grants are being rolled out under the Countryside Stewardship scheme this month.

Natural England’s new hedgerows and boundaries capital grant opened yesterday (1 February), offering up to £5,000 to farmers who want to restore boundary features, such as hedges and stone walls, to protect their local wildlife or landscape. It runs until 30 April.

The Forestry Commission’s woodland creation grant is also opening later this month (16 February) and offers farmers and other land managers up to £6,800/ha to plant, weed and protect young trees. The application period closes on 31 March.

See also: £5m EU grants to improve farm productivity

The second round of the Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund also opened recently with the aim of bringing together farmer-led partnerships to improve the local environment. This runs until 18 March.

However, farm business consultants have criticised Defra’s agencies for failing to provide information in advance of this week’s announcements, for the complexities of the Countryside Stewardship scheme and the short deadlines for applications.

Jon Birchall, agricultural business consultant for Balfours, said: “We have been trying to get information out of Natural England and the Forestry Commission about how to put a grant application together and have been told to watch the press for details.

“I feel there is the same degree of euphemism as when the Basic Payment Scheme was introduced last year, when much was promised but the delivery was quite difficult.”

At Carver Knowles, associate director Mike Cluley said he felt Natural England had missed a real opportunity by not providing grants for new hedgerows under the scheme.

Henry Barringer, agricultural business consultant with Brown & Co, said the agency had missed a trick in Norfolk: “All my clients are keen to put hedgerows in as they see this as a long-term investment. Under the old scheme they were getting up to £11.60/metre and it is probably because it is such an attractive payment that Natural England had decided not to introduce this option for the time being.”

Mr Barringer said he would push both this grant and the second round of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme Facilitation Fund to clients, but there had so far been limited interest. Part of the problem, he added, had been the complexity of the 800-page stewardship manual. He advised farmers to look carefully at the small print.

You can find more information on Countryside Stewardship grants and how to apply online.