Forestry Commission
About Countryside Stewardship
Countryside Stewardship (CS) provides financial incentives for farmers, foresters and land managers to look after and improve the environment.
CS protects and enhances the natural environment by:
- increasing biodiversity
- improving habitat
- expanding woodland areas
- improving water quality
- improving air quality
- improving natural flood management
CS supports Defras 25 Year Environment Plan for our country to be the healthiest, most beautiful place in the world to live, work and bring up a family. It also supports Defras strategic objective of a cleaner, healthier environment, benefitting people and the economy.
Countryside Stewardship grants for 2023
CS is made up of 8 grants (when they are all open). The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) manages CS agreements.
You can transfer land parcels and BPS entitlements for 2023 until 15 May 2023, using the Rural Payments service.
You can also add land by email.
Search the CS grant finder for a description and essential requirements for each capital item or revenue option.
Capital Grants
The Capital Grants scheme is part of Mid Tier. It provides 3-year agreements offering capital items to achieve specific environmental benefits in 4 groups:
- boundaries, trees and orchards
- water quality
- air quality
- natural flood management
You can apply for CS Capital Grants 2023 at any time of the year from 5 January 2023.
Farmers can apply for CS Capital Grants on land which is in a Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) standards agreement.
SFI pilot participants can apply for the CS Capital Grants (SFI pilot) 2023 at any time of the year from 5 January 2023.
Higher Tier Capital Grants
Some capital grants are part of Higher Tier. These grants provide 3-year agreements offering capital items to achieve additional environmental benefits alongside existing Higher Tier agreements.
You can apply for a Higher Tier Capital Grant 2023 at any time of the year from 5 January 2023.
Protection and Infrastructure grants
Protection and Infrastructure grants are for capital items that support improving the management of woodland and to help manage the impact of beaver behaviours.
You can apply for a Protection and Infrastructure grant at any time of the year from 5 January 2023.
Woodland Management Plan (WMP) grants
A WMP grant is a capital grant for a one-off payment to create a 10-year woodland management plan. It must be fully compliant with the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS).
You can apply for a WMP grant at any time of the year from 5 January 2023.
Woodland Tree Health (WTH) grants
A WTH grant helps to restock or improve woodland after tree health problems.
You can apply for a WTH grant at any time of the year from 5 January 2023.
Implementation Plan (PA1) and Feasibility Study (PA2) grants
Implementation Plan and Feasibility Study grants provide funding for more complex agreements and projects. You must speak to a Natural England advisor before applying for one of these grants.
You can apply for an Implementation Plan grant (PA1) or Feasibility Study grant (PA2) at any time of the year.
Higher Tier
Higher Tier grants are for multi-year management options and capital items for the most environmentally important sites, including commons and woodlands. These are usually in places that need complex management, such as creating or restoring habitats, and improving woodland.
You can apply for Higher Tier grants from 7 February 2023. We must receive your initial application before 11:59pm on 28 April 2023.
Mid Tier and Wildlife Offers
The aim of Mid Tier is to protect and enhance the natural environment through multi-year management grants and capital grants to improve:
- diversity of wildlife
- water quality
- air quality
- natural flood management
Wildlife Offers are part of Mid Tier and provide a simpler set of options to help improve wildlife in 4 different farming types.
You can apply for Mid Tier or Wildlife Offers later in the year.
Facilitation Fund
The Facilitation Fund supports individuals who act as facilitators to bring together groups of farmers, foresters and other land managers to improve environmental outcomes in their local area. The scheme closes for applicants at 11:59pm on 25 January 2023.
Capital and revenue payment rates from January 2023
Defra has reviewed and updated CS payment rates based on current costs. See the rate changes for:
Existing agreement holders guidance
Existing CS agreement holders should follow the relevant scheme manual to manage their agreement effectively and meet all its requirements.
How to make a claim for payment
CS agreement holders should follow the guidance on how to make a capital or revenue claim to get paid under the terms of their CS agreement.
How HMRC treats subsidy payments
Your grant and subsidy payments are paid before tax is taken off. You may need to tell HMRC about these if you or your business pay UK tax. For more information, read HMRCs Business Income Manual BIM40451 - Specific receipts: grants and subsidies. If you have an accountant, you should also discuss this with them.