In September, the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) service will open for applications. This will be available to those who have been invited to apply, received pre-application advice, and completed any necessary preparatory work.
In autumn 2023, the window to apply for a CSHT agreement was closed. The improved scheme now offers:
- 132 actions, including many that are new or improved
- 142 capital items, including 25 new ones
- More flexibility to suit different land types and business needs
- Quarterly payments for actions to support cash flow throughout the year
- Improved advice during the application process
These changes are designed to make it easier to plan and deliver environmental benefits while running resilient, productive farms.
What’s new in the improved offer
- A new species-rich floodplain meadow action to help protect and expand habitats that support wildlife and biodiversity, provide natural floodwater storage, and contribute to carbon capture and climate resilience
- A range of waterbody actions to help connect river and floodplain habitats, manage riparian and waterside areas, and reduce downstream flooding
- Four new agroforestry actions to reduce soil erosion, improve water and air quality, provide shade and shelter for crops and livestock, and reduce the risk of flooding
Preview guidance for CSHT was published in December 2024. It sets out what to expect from the new scheme, including available actions, payment rates, and how to prepare. Full scheme guidance will be published in September.
What you need to know about the new CSHT
You must wait to be invited
CSHT is being rolled out gradually. Since January, selected groups have been invited for pre-application advice from Natural England or the Forestry Commission. These include:
- Those with existing CSHT agreements expiring in 2025
- Those with an approved woodland management plan
- Applicants with an approved agri-environment plan (e.g. an implementation or agroforestry plan) who are ready to develop a CSHT application
If you’ve received an invitation and would like to go ahead, please respond within 10 working days. Your email from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) contains instructions on how to respond and what to expect next.
You must get advice and complete the pre-application step
Once you confirm you’re ready to begin, a Natural England adviser or Forestry Commission woodland officer will contact you to discuss next steps. You may need to prepare a plan or study to support your application.
Capital grant funding is available for PA1: Implementation plan, PA2: Feasibility study, PA3: Woodland management plan, PA4: Agroforestry plan, PA5: Moorland mapping or PA7: Species management plan.
If working with Natural England, they will help identify the right actions and capital items for your land, advise on required plans or studies, and tailor prescriptions to achieve environmental outcomes.
If working with the Forestry Commission, you’ll be sent a woodland improvement pre-application form. Once completed, the Forestry Commission will contact you with next steps, approval details, and further advice.
The invitation to apply follows the pre-application step
After completing the pre-application step and receiving an invitation to apply from the RPA, you’ll be able to access and begin your application through the Rural Payments service.
Once your actions and capital items are included in the application, they must be reviewed and approved by Natural England, the Forestry Commission, or Historic England (if the land includes scheduled monuments).
Once approval is given, you’ll be invited back into the Rural Payments service to submit your application.
If you want someone else to apply on your behalf, such as an agent, you need to check they’re registered with the RPA in the Rural Payments service and give them permission.
Receiving an agreement offer
Pre-application advice and an invitation to apply don’t guarantee a CSHT agreement.
But by acting early and taking on the advice of Natural England and/or the Forestry Commission, you’ll give your application the best chance of success.
If you are successful, an agreement offer will be available for you to accept in the Rural Payments service. After that:
- your first payment will usually be made 4 months after acceptance
- future payments for actions will usually be made every 3 months
- payments for capital items can be claimed as you complete the works
Help & advice
If you would like further advice or help with the pre-application process, or with completing and submitting your application, please contact our Stewardship & Grants team on 01981 590514.