{"analytics_identifier":null,"base_path":"/countryside-stewardship-grants/access-capital-items-ac1","content_id":"975fcd98-4aeb-49f8-a81d-85d2ebbb8cb2","description":"Find out about eligibility and requirements for the access capital items item.","details":{"body":"<div class=\"example\">\n  <p>This item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026. You must read the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-tier-capital-grants-2026\">Capital Grants 2026 guidance</a> to understand the rules and how to apply.<br><br>\nIf you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (<abbr title=\"Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier\">CSHT</abbr>) application, you must read the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht\"><abbr title=\"Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier\">CSHT</abbr> applicant’s guide</a> to understand the rules and how to apply.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-much-youll-be-paid\">How much you’ll be paid </h2>\n\n<p>Up to 100% of actual costs.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-this-item-benefits-the-environment\">How this item benefits the environment</h2>\n\n<p> This item will:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>encourage greater public access to the countryside and woodland</li>\n  <li>support a better understanding of farming and food production</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"where-you-can-use-this-item\">Where you can use this item </h2>\n\n<p>You can either use this item to:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>install new infrastructure to increase and improve public access to the countryside and woodland</li>\n  <li>install capital items which support educational access visits (such as toilets, washbasins or classrooms)</li>\n  <li>reduce environmental damage caused by public access for example by installing information boards</li>\n  <li>improve existing access structures by replacing with accessible gates</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You cannot use this item:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>where you have a legal obligation to provide structures for public access to your land</li>\n  <li>to maintain existing access structures</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2 id=\"what-you-must-do-to-use-this-item\">What you must do to use this item</h2>\n\n<p>You must:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>agree a detailed specification with Natural England or the Forestry Commission</li>\n  <li>provide at least 3 written quotations to complete the work including associated costings with your application</li>\n  <li>agree the selected quotation with Natural England or the Forestry Commission (whichever is the relevant responsible body)</li>\n  <li>create, install and complete the works according to the agreed specification and timescale</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You must not carry out any construction work related to the item unless you have approval from the responsible body.</p>\n\n<p>Your adviser will adapt the requirements for this item to your site. You should discuss and agree these requirements with them.</p>\n\n<p>If you have an existing agreement, you must continue to follow the specifications in that agreement. </p>\n\n<h2 id=\"evidence-you-must-keep\">Evidence you must keep </h2>\n\n<p>You must keep and provide with your claim:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is not available</li>\n  <li>photographs of the completed work</li>\n  <li>detailed specification document</li>\n  <li>copies of any planning or other permissions</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You must also keep and provide on request:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>any other consents or permissions connected with the work</li>\n  <li>evidence of demand and need for the access capital item, for example documentation from supporters, potential users and partner organisations</li>\n  <li>photographs of site before works start</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agreement-holders-guide-capital-grants-higher-tier-capital-grants-and-protection-and-infrastructure-grants-2026\">Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants</a> for more information.</p>\n\n<div class=\"example\">\n  <p>If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (<abbr title=\"Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier\">CSHT</abbr>) application, you must read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht\"><abbr title=\"Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier\">CSHT</abbr> agreement holder’s guide</a>.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"other-items-actions-and-options-you-can-use-with-this-item\">Other items, actions and options you can use with this item</h2>\n\n<p>You can use with capital item <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/ved1-educational-access-visits\">VED1: Educational access visits</a></p>\n\n<h3 id=\"countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-actions\">Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier actions</h3>\n\n<p>You can use this item with these actions:</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cpac1-open-access\">CPAC1: Open access</a> </p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cpac2-access-for-people-with-reduced-mobility\">CPAC2: Access for people with reduced mobility</a></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cpac3-bridleway-and-cycle-route-access\">CPAC3: Bridleway and cycle route access</a></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cpac4-footpath-access\">CPAC4: Footpath access</a></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cpac5-upgrading-countryside-and-rights-of-way-open-access-land-and-public-rights-of-way-for-cyclists-and-horse-riders\">CPAC5: Upgrading Countryside and Rights of Way ‘open access land’ and public rights of way for cyclists and horse riders</a></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cpac6-upgrading-countryside-and-rights-of-way-open-access-land-and-public-rights-of-way-for-people-with-reduced-mobility\">CPAC6: Upgrading Countryside and Rights of Way ‘open access land’ and public rights of way for people with reduced mobility</a></p>\n\n<h3 id=\"countryside-stewardship-option\">Countryside Stewardship option</h3>\n\n<p>You can use this item with Countryside Stewardship option <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/educational-access-ed1\">ED1: Educational access</a></p>\n\n","change_history":[{"note":"Now eligible in woodland.","public_timestamp":"2025-02-03T11:04:43Z"},{"note":"This item now is available for Higher Tier Capital Grants.","public_timestamp":"2023-02-13T15:34:01Z"},{"note":"'Where to use this item' section updated to include WD2: Woodland Improvement. \r\n","public_timestamp":"2023-02-01T10:43:33Z"},{"note":"Updated for 2017 applications.","public_timestamp":"2017-03-08T14:33:24Z"},{"note":"Information updated for applications in 2016.","public_timestamp":"2016-03-29T10:17:59Z"},{"note":"First published.","public_timestamp":"2015-04-02T11:05:41Z"}],"headers":[{"id":"how-much-youll-be-paid","level":2,"text":"How much you'll be paid "},{"id":"how-this-item-benefits-the-environment","level":2,"text":"How this item benefits the environment"},{"id":"where-you-can-use-this-item","level":2,"text":"Where you can use this item "},{"id":"what-you-must-do-to-use-this-item","level":2,"text":"What you must do to use this item"},{"id":"evidence-you-must-keep","level":2,"text":"Evidence you must 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