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Project Management
Recreation and Countryside Tourism
Site Management and Strategic Countryside Plans
Entry and Higher Level Environmental Stewardship
Landscape Character Assessment
Entry and Higher Level Environmental Stewardship
A new era for environmental management of farmland in England began in 2005 with the launch of Environmental Stewardship Ð a tiered system of grants for maintaining environmental features such as ponds, hedgerows, grassland and arable margins.The schemes are administered by Natural England, a division of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). They offer a broad ÔEntry Level' fixed rate payment of £30 / hectare for all registered land in return for a points-based system of management of features. Land entered under the Entry Level Scheme must be maintained for five years and score 30 points per hectare through a variety of land management options. Most farms will be eligible for this Scheme.
The Higher Level Scheme is much more demanding and is based upon a range of land management and capital grants targeted at specific features identified at a local level. Demand for this ten year-long Scheme in its initial year has been high and only a small number of farms will be eligible.
We can advise on the most appropriate scheme, carry out all the survey work, complete the mandatory Farm Environment Plans and Records, undertake liaison with DEFRA and complete applications to both schemes. We can also act as an agent, overseeing returns to DEFRA and auditing agreements to check they are working well.
We are registered with the Forestry Commission to undertake Ecological Assessment work for woodland assessment grants in England and Wales.