Countryside Stewardship (CS)

Q: What is Countryside Stewardship (CS) in the UK and who can apply?

Countryside Stewardship (CS) is a scheme supporting environmentally sustainable land management in England. It offers payments for activities such as habitat creation and water protection. Farmers, landowners, and foresters managing eligible land can apply, provided they meet scheme requirements set by DEFRA.

Q: How do Countryside Stewardship payments work and can you give an example?

Payments are based on selected options. For instance, 10 hectares of buffer strips at £280 per hectare per year over 5 years equals £14,000. Applicants must complete the agreed environmental actions and report progress to receive full payments.

Q: What’s the difference between Higher Tier and Mid Tier CS agreements?

Higher Tier is aimed at sites requiring complex or tailored management like SSSIs and offers more intensive support, while Mid Tier provides accessible grants for a wider range of farms looking to undertake environmental actions such as grassland or hedgerow improvement.

Q: How does CS relate to DEFRA and other environmental grants?

DEFRA administers CS, integrating it with other schemes like Environmental Stewardship and the Agricultural Transition Plan. It complements agri-environment grants and works alongside community development finance and environmental management programs.

Q: What key steps ensure successful Countryside Stewardship applications?

Success relies on setting realistic, mapped targets, understanding compliance and keeping up-to-date with scheme changes. Working with advisers, planning comprehensive applications, and aligning CS options to business needs help maximise both environmental and financial outcomes.

Finance Dictionary >Countryside Stewardship (CS)

Countryside Stewardship (CS) is a government-supported scheme in England designed to encourage environmentally sustainable farming and land management. Its primary goal is to provide financial incentives and expert guidance for farmers and land managers to improve biodiversity, conserve habitats, and manage natural resources. One interesting fact is that CS not only helps enhance environmental outcomes but also ensures farms can remain productive and commercially resilient while meeting environmental obligations.

What is Countryside Stewardship (CS)?

Countryside Stewardship (CS) is a voluntary UK-based scheme administered by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Through various multi-year agreements, it funds farmers and landowners to implement targeted environmental management options. For example, a farm might receive a CS grant to restore an area of wildflower meadow. The farmer would commit to specific mowing schedules and reduced chemical usage over a period of five years, resulting in increased pollinator habitats and improved soil health, while the grant provides income support during this period.

In a practical scenario, a mixed arable and livestock farm joined the CS scheme to plant new hedgerows and manage existing ones for wildlife. With financial assistance under CS, it established buffer strips along watercourses—protecting water quality—and enhanced biodiversity by creating habitats for birds and insects. The farmer reported improved farm resilience and new opportunities for agri-environmental diversification.

Types and Tiers of Countryside Stewardship

Countryside Stewardship offers several agreement types, including Higher Tier and Mid Tier contracts, plus grants for standalone capital items. Higher Tier agreements target the most environmentally significant sites, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), providing comprehensive support for complex land management. Mid Tier is accessible to most land managers and focuses on actions like grassland restoration, boundary maintenance, and planting wildflowers. Capital grants are available for hedgerow planting, fencing, and water resource management—each with clear application and eligibility criteria and tailored payment rates.

How Countryside Stewardship Works

Applicants select options and grants that suit their land and environmental goals. For instance, a farmer interested in creating a wild bird seed mix for farmland birds would apply for a relevant CS option, receiving guidance and a payment per hectare. Payments vary depending on the action (for example, £250 per hectare for wild bird seed mix). Over the agreement’s term, the applicant completes the agreed activities, keeps records, and submits evidence for compliance and inspections, ensuring environmental outcomes are achieved while payments are delivered.

The scheme requires detailed record-keeping, including farm maps and action logs. Inspections are conducted by DEFRA or its agencies to ensure obligations are met, supporting high standards in environmental stewardship. Participants maintain eligibility by renewing or updating agreements as funding priorities evolve.

Historical Context of Countryside Stewardship

The original Countryside Stewardship scheme was launched in 1991, pioneering the use of government support for environmental land management. It replaced the earlier Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) scheme and, with later reforms under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), became central to UK agri-environment policy. After the UK’s exit from the EU, CS agreements continued as a key mechanism for rewarding sustainable practices and transitioning toward the post-CAP Agricultural Transition Plan in England.

Eligibility, Application Process, and Practical Example

Farmers, landowners, and foresters in England can apply for CS support, provided they manage eligible land and follow scheme requirements. The application process involves identifying the desired environmental options and preparing a detailed land management plan. For example, a woodland owner seeking to restore habitats may apply for woodland improvement grants, specifying activities such as thinning, clearing invasive species, and planting native trees. The application includes land maps and a timeline. After submitting an application, the land is inspected, agreements are finalized, and payments commence.

The financial process follows clear calculations. For instance, suppose a farmer applies for CS options covering 10 hectares of buffer strips at £280 per hectare per year. Over a five-year agreement, their total payment would be:

(10 hectares) × (£280/ha/year) × (5 years) = £14,000

This calculation demonstrates how CS can provide significant, structured funding to support environmental improvement costs over time, while also ensuring compliance through ongoing management and inspection.

Relationship with Other Environmental Schemes

CS operates alongside and often complements other programs like Environmental Stewardship and the Environmental Land Management scheme. It is part of a broader policy approach that rewards positive practices, boosts nature recovery, and demonstrates the evolving role of agri-environmental funding in UK agriculture. These interconnected policies highlight how governmental and business social responsibility can drive environmental outcomes in rural landscapes.

Key Considerations and Best Practices

Successful participation in Countryside Stewardship (CS) relies on careful planning, realistic environmental targets, precise mapping, and understanding compliance requirements. Applicants should consider how CS aligns with business operations, future CAP reforms, and potential new opportunities under the Agricultural Transition Plan. Seeking advice from trusted advisers or environmental agencies ensures the best results. Leveraging additional resources from schemes like Community development finance institutions may further facilitate successful project delivery.

For those aiming to make a lasting impact on the environment while securing financial support for their rural operations, understanding and engaging with Countryside Stewardship is essential. If you wish to explore the funding application process and ensure your project is well-positioned for future opportunities, consider learning more about the funding application process to access business support tailored to your needs.