Our Services
Countryside stewardship
Financial incentives to improve the environment
CXCS are experienced in completing a wide range of grant applications and are now taking on SFI24 applications. If you are interested in applying for an agreement, our Stewardship & Grants team are available to go through the scheme options with you and identify which actions could work for your farming business.
Countryside Stewardship - Mid Tier and Capital Grants
Mid Tier closed for new applications in 2023. Agreements are running to their end date, but for new applicants, the SFI scheme has taken its place.
The CS Capital Grants Scheme (CGS) offers a variety of capital item payments to improve or introduce traditional boundaries, tree planting and items for air and water quality. It is temporarily closed to new applications (apart from those for management plans such as PA1), but all existing agreements will continue until their end date, as with Mid Tier.
CXCS can offer support with revenue claims for Mid Tier and capital claims for both schemes. Once Capital Grants re-open we will also be able to offer support with new CGS applications.
Applying for a CS Higher Tier Agreement
CS Higher Tier has been revamped for new applications in 2025. The scheme offers payments to manage land with special areas of interest such as SSSIs, Ancient Monuments or priority habitats. Agreements will be tailored to the land and no longer have to cover the whole farmed area.
Our Stewardship & Grants team are available to go through the CS Higher Tier scheme with you to identify which options could work for your farm. If you then decide that you want to apply for an agreement, we can also help guide you through the application process and submit it on your behalf.
Improvements to the application process in 2025 will include:
- Rolling applications so you can apply at a time that suits you
- A clearer and faster process to develop and approve applications
- Monthly agreement start dates, once your application has been developed and approved
- Quarterly payments, so you’re paid in instalments rather than a single annual payment
- More flexible, less prescriptive actions where possible
Further help & advice
For further advice or help with applying for a CS Higher Tier agreement, please contact our Stewardship & Grants team on 01981 590514.
