For the first time, Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT)
will open to direct applications from farmers and land managers,
helping more businesses secure funding to restore nature while
producing food.
Speaking at Groundswell Festival 2026 today (2
July), Environment Secretary announced farmers and land
managers will be able to apply for woodland agreements,
agroforestry agreements and new single-focus agreements to
restore species-rich grassland, with an initial cohort of up to
1,200 single-focus agreements available.
When CSHT launched last September, farmers and land
managers could only apply if invited by Natural
England or the Forestry Commission as part of a phased
rollout. From later this summer, this restriction will be lifted,
allowing farmers and land managers to begin the application
process themselves by submitting an Expression of
Interest, opening the scheme to
more applicants and giving them greater control over
how they apply, helping them deliver more for nature, heritage
and their businesses.
The changes build on the government's commitment to make
environmental schemes more accessible and deliver the Farming
Roadmap by giving farmers clearer routes into support while
continuing to target funding where it can deliver the greatest
environmental benefit.
It follows the reopening of the Sustainable Farming Incentive
(SFI) this week, designed to be simpler, fairer, and more
accessible than ever before. As expected on opening Window
1, demand was strong on the first day, with a high number of
applications. The latest data shows that application
volumes have begun to level off, and applications are being
received at a steady pace.
Environment Secretary said:
Every thriving meadow restored, every historic landscape
protected and every woodland managed more sustainably starts with
farmers and land managers who care deeply.
The Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier will be simpler and
easier for more applicants to access, giving more farmers and
land managers the opportunity to invest in their businesses while
helping to create a richer, greener countryside for future
generations.
The expanded offer announced today will, for the first time, open
applications to farmers and land managers without the need for an
invitation, with support for restoring and managing species-rich
grassland, improving woodland
management, establishing agroforestry, and
conserving scheduled monuments.
This will help more farmers and land managers deliver
environmental improvements while continuing food production,
alongside continued support for Countryside Stewardship Higher
Tier and HLS agreement holders whose agreements expire in 2026 or
early 2027.
Later this year, we will begin trialling applications on common
land ahead of implementing a wider rollout.
At least £50 million will be available for new CSHT agreements
this year. Natural England will continue to prioritise farmers
with agreements ending or those who have already
completed the preparatory work needed to apply.
