8/15/2019 Countryside Stewardship Scheme Flyer

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England Rural Development Programme

The Countryside

Stewardship SchemePayments of between 4 and 525 per hectare,

depending on the land type and management

option entered into.

The Countryside Stewardship Scheme is a grant scheme

operating throughout England outside Environmentally

Sensitive Areas. Its aims are to:

G sustain the beauty and diversity of the landscape.

G improve and extend wildlife habitats.

Gconserve archaeological sites and historic features.

G restore neglected land or features.

G create new habitats and landscapes; and

G improve opportunities for countryside enjoyment.

Many landscapes and features are eligible for grants. These

include: arable land, including new arable options; chalk and

limestone grassland; coastal areas; community forest andcountryside around towns; field boundaries; historic features;

lowland heath; old meadows and pastures; old orchards;

uplands; waterside land. Payments are also available for

providing new public access.

Countryside Stewardship is a voluntary scheme and is

available to farmers and non-farming landowners and

managers (including voluntary bodies, local authorities and

community groups) who enter 10 year agreements, under

which they manage land in an environmentally beneficial wayin return for annual payments. Grants are also available

towards capital works such as hedge restoration

and repairing dry stone walls. Land management payments

are made annually and capital payments on completion of

the work.

In running the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, Defra works

closely with partner organisations to ensure that the scheme

is targeted on locally identified priorities. The main partner

organisations include the Countryside Agency, English

Nature, English Heritage, the National Park Authorities, the

Wildlife Trusts, the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and

the RSPB.

Countryside Stewardship is a discretionary scheme and only

applications that offer good value for money will be

accepted. Value for money will be judged against whether

an application meets the national and local objectives

for Stewardship (which are explained in detail in the

scheme literature) and takes into account benefits for

wildlife, landscape and history and opportunitiesfor people to enjoy the results.

Countryside Stewardship is administered by Defras Rural

Development Service.

Further information on the scheme is available

from www.defra.gov.uk.

PB8323g Printed on recycled paper containing 100% post-consumer waste.

England Rural Development Programme