As a result of unprecedented demand, Defra have made the decision to temporarily close new applications to some of the capital grant offers for farmers.
As of November, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) say they have received more applications for the standalone capital offer than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. The value of these applications has also increased significantly – with applications from May to November this year worth 42% more than all applications received during the last financial year.
According to Defra, this high demand for some grant items has led to spending levels that aren’t sustainable for this year which has resulted in part of the overall capital grant offer being temporarily closed to most new applications. A further update on this will be shared in early 2025.
Prioritising funding and temporary closures
Due to the overwhelming demand for some capital grant items, the main capital grant offer has closed to new applications – a total of 76 grant items, including fencing, concreting, hedge laying and planting etc. Defra say this is being done to prioritise funds for areas that will have the greatest benefit for food security and nature conservation.
You will still be able to apply for the following grants during this period although take-up will be monitored:
- Woodland Tree Health grants, which help protect tree health against devastating plant pests and diseases.
- Capital grant plans and management plans are important to help support the development of new CS Higher Tier agreements.
- Protection and Infrastructure grants and Higher Tier capital grants, help support delivery of high value environmental benefits, such as re-wetting peat.
If your application relates to the capital grant elements that are temporarily withdrawn, it will be on hold for now. You will be contacted in early 2025 with information about what happens next.
If your application is for one of the grants that are still open, it is being processed. You should expect to receive an offer, provided there are no issues with your application.
Payments under existing agreements will continue as usual following the current process. The change only impacts new applications. For more information on capital grant items, please visit (GOV.UK).
Help & advice
For further help and advice, please contact our Stewardship & Grants team on 01981 590514.
