Applicant’s guide: Capital Grants 2024
Published 3 January 2024
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2024
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-grants-2024/applicants-guide-capital-grants-2024--2
1. Important dates
The Capital Grants are open for applications all year from 3 January 2024.
You can also apply for other capital grants at any time of the year.
1.1 About this guide
We have removed the name Countryside Stewardship (CS) from all capital grant offers because we want to make it clearer that these grants are available to a wide range of farmers and land managers, particularly those who have (or are considering applying for) a Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreement.
These grants are still being offered under the CS scheme.
2. About Capital Grants
These grants are standalone capital grants that can also be used to support and complement SFI, existing CS Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Wildlife Offers, and Environmental Stewardship (ES) Higher Level Stewardship.
Applications will remain open until the funding is allocated. You can submit an application for each Single Business Identifier (SBI) that you manage.
New agreements cannot contain parcels that already have capital works which are incomplete or have not received their final payment.
2.1 Grants that are available
Capital Grants are 3-year agreements offering capital items to achieve specific environmental benefits within 4 groups:
- boundaries, trees and orchards (including the former hedgerows and boundaries grant items)
- water quality
- air quality
- natural flood management
There is no limit on either the maximum amount for any application or the amount you can apply for in each group.
If your application is successful, we will make you an agreement offer. If you accept the offer, you will enter into an agreement with the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).
2.2 Capital items available
There are 70 capital items available, which are listed in section 5. The Grant finder gives a description and essential requirements for each capital item.
For some capital items, you can use supplementary grants. You can find the payment rates and details about using supplements in section 5.
For capital items that help improve water and air quality, you may need approval from a Catchment Sensitive Farming adviser (CSFA). These items are listed in Annex 2 – Choose capital items to help improve water and air quality and reduce flood risk. If you apply for these and do not have approval, we will remove them from your application.
2.3 How we assess your application if a grant is oversubscribed
We will publish a 6-week notice on GOV.UK if a grant is likely to be oversubscribed. We will deal with applications on a first-come-first-served basis. At the point of the 6-week notice, further applications will be assessed in order of priority for those providing higher environmental benefits.
2.4 What the grant cannot pay for
You cannot use a capital grant to pay for:
- any capital works done (or materials purchased) before your agreement starts
- planning application fees or other transactional fees
- agent fees or other advisory fees
- meeting legal requirements, including planning conditions and tenancy agreements
- any works on a Scheduled Monument (including any works on the boundary of these sites)
- any works on common land
- any works undertaken as part of another grant or obligation (read section 3.3)
3. Who can apply and what land is eligible
The Capital Grants are open to land managers who are one of the following:
- an owner occupier
- a tenant
- a landlord
- a licensor as long as they have management control of the land and activities needed to meet the obligations of the grant for the full duration of the agreement
3.1 Land that is eligible
To be eligible for Capital Grants, land parcels must be entirely within England and you must have management control of the relevant parcels as set out in section 3.3.
The following land parcels may also be eligible:
- those included in any existing CS agreement or an ES Higher Level Stewardship agreement, if the same action isn’t being funded twice, there is sufficient space in the parcel, and the options and items are compatible with each other
- those subject to an English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) agreement (read section 3.4 for some exceptions)
- those included in an Implementation Plan agreement (PA1), Feasibility Study Agreement (PA2), Woodland Management Plan (PA3) or Woodland Tree Health grant agreement (if all other eligibility criteria are met)
- those in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or Scheduled Monument, including the boundaries of these sites, but only if it has an existing CS or ES agreement
3.2 Land that is not eligible
The following land is not eligible for Capital Grants:
- common land or shared grazing
- land that is included in certain other schemes or under obligation (read section 3.3)
- developed land and hard standing (including permanent caravan sites and areas used for permanent storage)
3.3 Management control of land
Having management control means you’re the person actively farming the land and you’re either:
- the owner occupier
- a tenant with a Farm Business Tenancy (FBT) under the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995, or an Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 tenancy or equivalent
You must have management control of the land in an agreement for 5 years from the starting date of your agreement, or the countersignature of your landlord (see section 3.3.1).
This includes:
- all activities needed to meet the grant payment
- keeping all capital items funded through this scheme in the condition and to the specification set out in your agreement for the 5 years
If you do not meet these requirements, you must get the written consent of all other parties who have management control.
3.3.1 Tenants
If you occupy land under a tenancy, you must have:
- a tenancy agreement for at least 3 years from the start of the Capital Grants agreement (however, see the requirements for a rolling tenancy below)
- the agreement of your landlord before you apply
- a countersignature from your landlord if you do not have management control for 5 years from the start of your agreement
- control of all the activities over the land to meet the scheme requirements for the chosen capital items
It is your responsibility to check when you apply for Capital Grants that you do not breach the terms of your tenancy agreement.
If your tenancy is renewed each year on a rolling basis, you must be certain your tenancy will extend to the length of your Capital Grants agreement, or you must have a countersignature from your landlord. You must check this with your landlord before you apply.
If the landlord takes over a Capital Grants agreement from you once your tenancy has ended, they must be eligible to do so. For example, they must not be an ineligible public body.
3.3.2 Landlords
If you are a landlord and can show that you have enough management control over the land and activities, you can apply for an agreement on land you have let to a tenant.
As the Agreement Holder, you must give your tenant a copy of the Capital Grants agreement. We may ask you to provide evidence to show that you have done this. It is your responsibility to make sure that your tenant does not breach the terms of the agreement.
3.3.3 Partnerships
If you are in a business partnership, you can apply for Capital Grants. The person signing the application must have the appropriate permission levels in the Rural Payments service.
3.3.4 Licensors
If you are a licensor, you can apply for a Capital Grants agreement. It is your responsibility to make sure that the licensee does not breach the terms of the agreement.
You must make sure that the licensee is aware of the requirements of the agreement, as relevant to the licence, and include these in the licence agreement.
3.3.5 Licensees
Licensees are usually not eligible for Capital Grants as a licence arrangement will not provide sufficient management control of the land to the licensee for the agreement period.
If in practice your licence agreement gives you wider land management responsibilities, this may mean you are a tenant and therefore may be eligible for Capital Grants. You must show that you have sufficient management control of the land and activities to be able to apply. See section 3.3.1 for more information about Capital Grants for tenants.
3.3.6 Land owned by public bodies
Land is not eligible if it is owned or managed by:
- Crown bodies (including all government departments, executive agencies and trading funds)
- non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs)
See a list of all government departments, agencies and public bodies on GOV.UK.
Land owned by some public bodies is eligible for Capital Grants provided the work does not form part of their obligations as a public body.
This includes land owned by:
- local authorities
- national park authorities
- public corporations
Parish councils and former college farms are not considered to be public bodies and so are eligible to apply for Capital Grants.
3.3.7 Tenants of land owned by public bodies
If you are a tenant of a public body, you will need to check if the land is eligible for Capital Grants with your landlord. If it is, you must get the public body to countersign your application if you do not have a tenancy agreement for the full term of a Capital Grants agreement.
If you do have a tenancy agreement for the full term of a Capital Grants agreement, you are eligible to apply as a tenant with management control of the land. See section 3.3.1.
You cannot apply for a Capital Grant for any work that is a requirement of your tenancy or any other legally binding obligation.
3.4 Land receiving other funding
You cannot use Capital Grants to pay for any environmental management if you are already receiving:
- payment from Exchequer funds
- grant aid from any other public body
You cannot use a Capital Grants agreement to fund capital works that you:
- are required to carry out under other legally binding obligations
- are currently receiving funding from other sources
- have already received funding
You may be able to apply for a Capital Grants agreement in addition to an existing CS or ES agreement, if you follow the rules set out in section 3.4.1 (Environmental Stewardship) or 3.4.2 (Countryside Stewardship).
We will carry out checks to make sure that capital works are not funded twice from public money.
You must make sure that any work proposed for this grant does not breach the conditions of any other agreement.
3.4.1 Environmental Stewardship
Land parcels in Higher Level Stewardship are eligible for Capital Grants.
If you intend to apply for a Capital Grants agreement on land parcels in an existing ES agreement, you must make sure:
- there is sufficient space in the parcel
- the same capital works are not being funded twice
- the actions required in your existing agreement and your new Capital Grants agreement are compatible with each other
3.4.2 Countryside Stewardship
CS Mid Tier and Higher Tier
You can enter land parcels that are in an existing CS Mid Tier or Higher Tier agreement into a Capital Grants agreement, only if all capital works on that parcel in your CS Mid Tier or Higher Tier agreement have been fully completed and paid for.
If you have finished and been paid for your CS Mid Tier or Higher Tier capital works and want to apply for an additional Capital Grants agreement on those land parcels, you must make sure that:
- there is sufficient space in the parcel
- the same capital works are not being funded twice
- the actions required in your existing agreement and your new Capital Grants agreement are compatible
You can apply for a Capital Grants agreement on land parcels which are not in your existing CS Mid Tier or Higher Tier agreement if the new capital works do not conflict with your existing agreement.
Wildlife Offers and other capital grants
You may have a Capital Grants agreement alongside any of the following agreements:
- Higher Tier Capital Grants
- Protection and Infrastructure (all items)
- Woodland Tree Health
- Woodland Management Plan
- Wildlife Offer
- Capital Grants
You can apply for a Capital Grants agreement on the same land parcels as your existing capital grants or Wildlife Offer agreement if:
- there is sufficient space in the parcel
- the same capital works are not being funded twice
- the actions required in your existing agreement and your new Capital Grants agreement are compatible
You can apply for a Capital Grants agreement on land parcels which are not in your existing capital grants or Wildlife Offer agreement if the new capital works do not conflict with your existing agreement.
You can only apply for one Capital Grants agreement per SBI in any calendar year.
3.4.3 Environmental Land Management schemes
Sustainable Farming Incentive
You can apply for a Capital Grants offer on land parcels in an SFI pilot standards agreement or in an SFI 2023 agreement. The actions in your SFI pilot standards agreement or your SFI 2023 agreement must be compatible with the works in a Capital Grant agreement. You can also apply for a Capital Grants agreement on land parcels which are not in your existing SFI agreement.
Landscape Recovery
Customers with a Capital Grants agreement can also apply for a Landscape Recovery agreement, as long as the same action isn’t being funded twice, there is sufficient space in the parcel, and the items are compatible with each other.
3.4.4 English Woodland Schemes
You can apply for Capital Grants on land parcels covered by an EWGS Woodland Planning Grant and certain capital grants (for example, Woodland Improvement Grant) if both of the following apply:
- this does not result in you being paid twice for the same items or activities
- the Capital Grants do not conflict with any ongoing EWGS requirements
You cannot apply for Capital Grants on land parcels covered by a multi-annual EWGS agreement, England Woodland Creation Offer, EWGS Farm Woodland Payment, Farm Woodland Premium Scheme or Farm Woodland Scheme.
3.4.5 Farming Recovery Fund
Land parcels covered by the Farming Recovery Fund are not eligible.
3.4.6 Inheritance Tax or Capital Gains Tax exemption
Capital items may be available on land designated by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as conditionally exempt from Inheritance Tax or as the object of a Maintenance Fund, depending on the specific undertakings and proposed options or capital items.
Read Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax exemption: Countryside Stewardship to find out whether capital items available under the Capital Grants are always eligible, never eligible or need checking.
3.4.7 Other schemes or grants
Capital grants cannot fund works that form part of:
- Countryside Productivity
- Growth Programme
- LEADER
- Water Environment Grant
- Farming in Protected Landscapes
- Farming Investment Fund
- Woodland Carbon Fund
- HS2 Woodland Fund
- England Woodland Creation Offer
This is not an exhaustive list.
4. How to apply for Capital Grants
This section gives the information you need to apply for Capital Grants.
4.1 Check you and your land are registered
To apply for Capital Grants you need to register or be registered on the Rural Payments service. Use the guidance on registering and updating your details on the Rural Payments service to help you.
All land parcels listed on your application must be registered in the Rural Payments service and have a parcel reference number (in the format AA1234 5678). Check the Rural Payments service to find out if your land parcels are registered and up to date.
If your land parcels are not registered, you must submit a rural land change request to register the land.
4.1.1 Authorise an agent
You can authorise an agent to fill in and submit your application for you. This also applies to payment claim forms for Agreement Holders.
For an agent to act for you, you must give them the appropriate permission levels in the Rural Payments service. This applies even if you have previously authorised the agent using the paper agent authorisation form.
Read ‘Give someone else permission to act on your behalf ’ for more information on the different levels of permission. You should also read the information in the Permission levels screen in the Rural Payments service. This lists what is permitted at each level. You are responsible for ensuring that permissions assigned on the Rural Payments service are made correctly and that all contact details are correct.
4.2 Ways to apply
You should submit your application online if you can. If you are unable to apply online, you can apply by email or by post.
4.2.1 Apply online
You can apply online using the Rural Payments service. Use the how to complete your online Capital Grants application to help you.
If you apply online, you do not need to fill in a Capital Grants application form. However, you must send us a map and any supporting documents by email or post.
4.2.2 Apply by email or post
If you cannot apply online, you can fill in a Capital Grants application form and email or post it to us. Use the how to complete your Capital Grants application by email or post to help you.
If you email us your form, make sure that you have the appropriate permission levels and that the email address for your business is registered in the Rural Payments service.
4.3 Prepare a map to support your application
You must submit a map or maps in support of your application.
Use the how to complete your Capital Grants application by email or post to help prepare your map.
4.4 Business viability test
We will check all applicants against an insolvency register. If your application is not financially viable, we may not offer you an agreement.
For applications including capital expenditure of more than £50,000 in total, you must submit a statement from a registered accountant (for example, a chartered accountant or certified accountant) with your application’s supporting documents. This is to confirm that the business or SBI has the resources from trading profits, reserves or loans to carry out the work in the proposed agreement schedule.
The accountant will need to provide a letter on headed paper which confirms:
- they are a registered accountant
- they act as the accountant for the applicant or have been contracted to act on behalf of the applicant
- you as the applicant have sufficient finances to complete the capital works in your application and how these funds will be sourced (for example, savings or loan)
- their understanding of the total value of the capital works in the application
If your application includes more than £500,000 of capital items, we will also review 3 years of your relevant business accounts or other evidence. This is to confirm that you have the administrative, financial and operational capacity to meet the agreement requirements.
4.5 Check if you need consent to carry out capital works
You must check each capital item you are applying for to see if any consents are needed.
You will not be paid for any capitals works without the necessary consents and permissions being in place before you begin any work.
You are responsible for arranging all relevant consents, permissions, exemptions, and written advice needed for your application.
In some cases, you will not be offered an agreement if these are not in place.
4.5.1 Planning consent
Your local planning authority can give you informal advice on whether a proposal needs planning consent. Read the general guidance on planning permission for farms.
You do not need to provide evidence of whether planning permission or consent is needed with your application. However, if required, you will need to have permission or consent in place before you carry out any work, and you will need to submit evidence when you make a claim for this work.
4.5.2 Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) approval
Capital items which require CSF approval are available in High, Medium and Low Priority Areas for Water and Air Quality, and in areas to reduce flood risk. Search Magic for more details.
If you are intending to apply for certain water quality, air quality and natural flood management capital items you must contact CSF at least 10 weeks before you intend to submit your application, or your request will not be considered.
Complete the CSF Support Request Form and send it to CSF. CSF will only assess a request for approval if the form is complete.
Annex 2 – choose capital items to help improve water and air quality and reduce flood risk lists items that require CSF approval.
4.5.3 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
You must get consent from Natural England if your application includes land in a SSSI.
4.5.4 Other consents
You may need to apply for other consents or licences if work affects:
- protected species (as defined by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981)
- a watercourse or highway
If you have protected species on your land, you must meet the requirements for their protection before carrying out any activities. For more information, read Managing wildlife on your land. If you have consent for work that affects protected species, you may need to plan around seasonal activity.
It’s important you arrange the consents well in advance.
If the work affects priority habitats (which may not be SSSIs), you should consider the effect on these even if you do not need consent. To find out more about how to avoid harming protected area and species read Construction near protected areas and wildlife.
4.5.5 Work on trees and hedges
You may need permission for work on trees that are under a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). If this applies to you, contact your Local Authority or National Park Authority.
Find out when you may need a Forestry Commission tree felling licence.
You can fell up to 5m3 and sell up to 2m3 of timber without a felling licence each calendar quarter. If you plan to fell or sell more, you must get a felling licence before your agreement offer can be issued.
You do not need to provide evidence of any TPO permission or a felling licence with your application. If required, you will need to have the consent before you carry out any work. You will need to submit this when you make a claim for this work.
4.5.6 Other considerations
When you carry out work under the agreement, you must not:
- break byelaws
- obstruct public rights of way
- block or restrict access to ‘open access’ land
- affect oil or gas pipelines
If required, you will need to have permission or consent in place before you carry out any work. You will need to submit this evidence when you make a claim for this work.
4.6 Submit your application and supporting documents
Submit your application either:
- online
- by email or post
You must include:
- the application map
- a land ownership and control form, if applicable
- any other supporting documents we ask for as detailed on the Grant finder
Use the how to complete your online Capital Grant application or how to complete your Capital Grant application by email or post guidance to help you submit your application.
We’ll only accept supporting documents, such as photos or forms, if they are either printed and sent by post or scanned and attached to an email. The maximum email size that we can accept is 32MB. For security reasons, we cannot accept discs, USB pen drives or other external storage media.
4.7 How we check your application
We will check that your application:
- meets the eligibility requirements
- is complete
- includes an annotated map
If your application is successful, we will send you an agreement offer letter.
If you want to accept the agreement offer you must sign and return the declaration by post within 20 working days. If you do not accept your offer in time, it will be withdrawn.
You can withdraw an application at any point after submission, prior to an agreement offer being made. Once an agreement offer has been made, you cannot withdraw your application, but you can reject your agreement offer.
You can find more information about entering into an agreement in section 6.1 of the Agreement Holder’s guide.
If your application is unsuccessful, we will let you know why we rejected it. You will then have the right to appeal to us, as set out in section 7.10 of the Agreement Holder’s guide.
5. Choosing capital items
A description and brief requirements for the capital items under the Capital Grants are provided in this section.
More detailed information on (and the specific requirements for) these items are available on the Grant finder.
You can select multiple items from the 4 groups. There is no limit on the maximum grant available, however your application will be assessed to ensure value for money.
5.1 Boundaries, trees and orchards items
| Code | Item | Payment rate | Supplement? | CSF approval required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BN1 | Stone-faced bank repair | £67.25 per metre (/m) | N/A | No |
| BN2 | Stone-faced bank restoration | £163.26/m | N/A | No |
| BN3 | Earth bank creation | £20.59/m | N/A | No |
| BN4 | Earth bank restoration | £10.54/m | N/A | No |
| BN5 | Hedgerow laying | £13.52/m | N/A | No |
| BN6 | Hedgerow coppicing | £ 5.33/m | N/A | No |
| BN7 | Hedgerow gapping-up | £17.22/m | N/A | No |
| BN8 | Hedgerow supplement - casting up | £4.39/m | Yes, only use with BN5 and BN6 | No |
| BN10 | Hedgerow supplement - top binding and staking | £5.82/m | Yes, only use with BN5 | No |
| BN11 | Planting new hedges | £22.97/m | N/A | No |
| BN12 | Stone wall restoration | £31.91/m | N/A | No |
| BN13 | Top wiring - stone wall | £5.54/m | Yes, only use with BN12 | No |
| BN14 | Stone wall supplement - stone from quarry | £ 164.50/m | Yes, only use with BN12 | No |
| FG12 | Wooden field gate | £489.90/gate | N/A | No |
| FG14 | Badger gate | £61.81/gate | N/A | No |
| TE1 | Planting standard hedgerow tree | £19.06/tree | N/A | No |
| TE10 | Coppicing bankside trees | £53.95/tree | N/A | No |
| TE11 | Tree surgery | £73.36/tree when cutting limbs up to and including 20cm diameter, £146.72/tree when cutting limbs over 20cm diameter | N/A | No |
| WB1 | Small wildlife box | £11.95/box | N/A | No |
| WB2 | Medium wildlife box | £27.91/box | N/A | No |
| WB3 | Large wildlife box | £38.28/box | N/A | No |
You can only apply for a supplement with its associated capital item:
- BN8 – can only be used with BN5 and BN6
- BN10 – can only be used with BN5
- BN13 – can only be used with BN12
- BN14 – can only be used with BN12
- both BN13 and BN14 can be used with BN12
5.2 Water quality items
| Code | Item | Payment rate | Supplement? | CSF approval required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FG1 | Fencing | £6.34 per metre (/m) | N/A | No |
| FG2 | Sheep netting | £7.47/m | N/A | No |
| FG3 | Permanent electric fencing | £5.66/m | N/A | No |
| FG4 | Rabbit fencing supplement | £5.65/m | Yes (only use with FG1, FG2, FG3) | No |
| FG15 | Water gates | £532.80/gate | N/A | No |
| LV3 | Hard bases for livestock drinkers | £179.15/base | N/A | No |
| LV4 | Hard bases for livestock feeders | £290.63/base | N/A | No |
| LV5 | Pasture pumps and associated pipework | £295.90/pump | N/A | No |
| LV6 | Ram pumps and associated pipework | £1,861/pump | N/A | No |
| LV7 | Livestock troughs | £152.92/trough | N/A | No |
| LV8 | Pipework associated with livestock troughs | £3.31/m | N/A | No |
| RP1 | Resurfacing of gateways | £136.95/gateway | N/A | No |
| RP2 | Gateway relocation | £369.59/gateway | N/A | No |
| RP3 | Watercourse crossings | £105.63/crossing | N/A | No |
| RP4 | Livestock and machinery hardcore tracks | £44.63/m | N/A | Yes |
| RP5 | Cross drains | £750.26/drain | N/A | No |
| RP6 | Installation of piped culverts in ditches | £376.23/culvert | N/A | No |
| RP7 | Sediment ponds and traps | £11.88/m2 | N/A | No |
| RP9 | Earth banks and soil bunds | £195.61/unit | N/A | No |
| RP10 | Silt filtration dams or seepage barriers | £198.14/unit | N/A | Yes |
| RP11 | Swales | £7.52/m2 | N/A | No |
| RP12 | Check dams | £85.29 for each dam | N/A | No |
| RP13 | Yard - underground drainage pipework | £2.02/m | N/A | Yes |
| RP14 | Yard inspection pit | £200/unit | N/A | Yes |
| RP15 | Concrete Yard Renewal | £33.64/m2 | N/A | Yes |
| RP16 | Rainwater goods | £11.55/m | N/A | No |
| RP17 | Storage tanks underground | £441.98/m3 | N/A | Yes |
| RP18 | Above ground tanks | £73.34/m3 | N/A | Yes |
| RP19 | First flush rainwater diverters and downpipe filters | £174.59/unit | N/A | Yes |
| RP20 | Relocation of sheep dips and pens | £3,544.71/unit | N/A | Yes |
| RP21 | Relocation of sheep pens only | £1,772.35/unit | N/A | Yes |
| RP22 | Sheep dip drainage aprons and sumps | £19.50/m2 | N/A | Yes |
| RP23 | Installation of livestock drinking troughs (in draining pens for freshly dipped sheep) | £152.92/unit | N/A | Yes |
| RP24 | Lined biobed plus pesticide loading and washdown area | £119.77/m2 | N/A | Yes |
| RP25 | Lined biobed with existing washdown area | £66.24/m2 | N/A | Yes |
| RP26 | Biofilters | £2,026.14/unit | N/A | No |
| RP27 | Sprayer or applicator load and washdown area | £35.86/m2 | N/A | Yes |
| RP28 | Roofing (sprayer washdown area, manure storage area, livestock gathering area, slurry stores, silage stores) | £72.50/m2 | N/A | Yes |
| RP29 | Self-supporting covers for slurry and anaerobic digestate stores | £29.50/m2 | N/A | Yes |
| RP30 | Floating covers for slurry and anaerobic digestate stores and lagoons | £2.75/m2 | N/A | Yes |
| WN5 | Pond management (100 square metres or less) | £282.15/pond | N/A | No |
| WN6 | Pond management (more than 100 square metres) | £188.94/100m2 | N/A | No |
5.3 Air quality items
| Code | Items | Payment rate | Supplement? | CSF approval required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AQ1 | Automatic slurry scraper | £2,760 per passageway/channel | N/A | Yes |
| AQ2 | Low ammonia emission flooring for livestock buildings | £72/m2 | N/A | Yes |
| TE4 | Supply and plant a tree | £1.72/tree | N/A | Yes |
| TE5 | Supplement for use of individual tree-shelters | £2.43/unit | Yes, only use with TE4 | Yes |
5.4 Natural flood management items
| Code | Items | Payment rate | Supplement? | CSF approval required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RP31 | Equipment to disrupt tramlines in arable areas | £1,500 per machine | N/A | Yes |
| RP32 | Small leaky woody dams | £461.39 for each dam | N/A | Yes |
| RP33 | Large leaky woody dams | £764.42 for each dam | N/A | Yes |
For further information on water and air quality and natural flood management items that require CSF approval, go to Annex 2.
For parcels to be included they must be registered on the Rural Payments service. For more information on how to do this read the Make change to your rural land maps guidance.
RP32 Small leaky woody dams and RP33 Large leaky woody dams
For further information on Natural flood management items RP32: Small leaky woody dams and RP33: Large leaky woody dams, go to the Grant finder.
RP32: Small leaky wooden dam. Indicative design for 1 to 3 metres wide, leaky woody dam.
RP33: Large leaky wooden dam. Indicative design for 3 to 5 metres wide, leaky woody dam.
Annex 1: Terms and Conditions
See the CS Terms and Conditions 2024.
Annex 2: Choose capital items to help improve water and air quality, and reduce flood risk
Choosing the right capital items can help reduce the amount of water pollutant and ammonia released from your farm and reduce flood risk.
Table 2 lists the capital items to help you with this.
How to choose capital items
- Use the statements of priorities to find the water and air objectives for your local area. If your application meets these objectives, you’ll get a higher score.
- Use the Grant finder to help you identify the types of capital items you can use to address water and air priorities in the local area.
- Use the MAGIC map application to find water, and air priority information for your land.
In the Table of Contents, choose ‘Countryside Stewardship Targeting & Scoring Layers’, then ‘Water’, and then ‘Countryside Stewardship Priority Areas’.
You can then make this layer transparent by using the slider under ‘Countryside Stewardship Targeting & Scoring Layers’.
You will need to navigate to your land and then use the ‘Identify’ tool in the top toolbar to check the information specific to your land parcels.
When to contact CSF
Some capital items are only available with the support and approval from CSF. If you do not get approval, RPA will remove them from your application. These items are listed in table 1.
You will need to show:
- how pollutants are reaching a watercourse or underground aquifer
- where ammonia emissions are coming from
- how the proposed activity will prevent air or water pollution and how it helps to reduce flood risk while also including a suitable range of capital items
CSF will focus support and approval at farms where the largest improvements in water and air quality and reduction in flood risk are likely to be achieved. The effects of a water pollutant, flood risk or ammonia on a sensitive protected site will be considered as part of this.
In some cases, work may be needed over several years, which means you may need to submit an equivalent number of applications. You will need to agree with CSF how this work is phased.
You may also need to think about other areas of the farm to make sure that you are dealing with the pollutant(s). For example, if your work is aimed at reducing sediment, you may need to think about reducing run off from fields. You may be able to do this by getting advice from CSF
Table 1: Items requiring CSF approval
| Item code | Description |
|---|---|
| AQ1 | Automatic slurry scraper |
| AQ2 | Low ammonia emission flooring for livestock buildings |
| RP4 | Livestock and machinery hardcore tracks |
| RP13 | Yard – underground drainage pipework |
| RP14 | Yard inspection pit |
| RP15 | Concrete yard renewal |
| RP17 | Storage tanks underground |
| RP18 | Above ground tanks |
| RP19 | First flush rainwater diverters and downpipe filters |
| RP20 | Relocation of sheep dips and pens |
| RP21 | Relocation of sheep pens only |
| RP22 | Sheep dip drainage aprons and sumps |
| RP23 | Installation of livestock drinking troughs (in draining pens for freshly dipped sheep) |
| RP24 | Lined biobed plus pesticide loading and washdown area |
| RP25 | Lined biobed with existing washdown area |
| RP27 | Sprayer or applicator load and washdown area |
| RP28 | Roofing (sprayer washdown area, manure storage area, livestock gathering area, slurry stores, silage stores) |
| RP29 | Self-supporting covers for slurry and anaerobic digestate stores |
| RP30 | Floating covers for slurry and anaerobic digestate stores and lagoons |
| RP31 | Equipment to disrupt tramlines in arable areas |
| RP32 | Small leaky woody dams |
| RP33 | Large leaky woody dams |
| TE4 | Supply and plant a tree |
| TE5 | Supplement for use of individual tree-shelters |
Table 2: Capital items that address pollutant pressures affecting water and air quality and for flood and coastal risk
| Code | Water quality, air quality and flood risk issues |
|---|---|
| AQ1: Automatic slurry scraper | Ammonia – air quality |
| AQ2: Low ammonia emission flooring for livestock buildings | Ammonia – air quality |
| BN7: Hedgerow gapping-up | Ammonia – air quality Natural flood management Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| BN11: Planting new hedges | Ammonia – air quality Natural flood management Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| FG1: Fencing | Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| FG2: Sheep netting | Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| FG3: Permanent electric fencing | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Nitrate – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| FG4: Rabbit fencing supplement | Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| FG12: Wooden field gate | Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| FG15: Water gates | Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| LV3: Hard bases for livestock drinkers | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| LV4: Hard bases for livestock feeders | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| LV5: Pasture pumps and associated pipework | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| LV6: Ram pumps and associated pipework | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| LV7: Livestock troughs | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| LV8: Pipework associated with livestock troughs | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP1: Resurfacing of gateways | Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP2: Gateway relocation | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP3: Watercourse crossings | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP4: Livestock and machinery hardcore tracks | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP5: Cross drains | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP6: Installation of piped culverts in ditches | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP7: Sediment ponds and traps | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP9: Earth banks and soil bunds | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP10: Silt filtration dams or seepage barriers | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP11: Swales | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP12: Check dams and woody debris structures | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP13: Yard – underground drainage pipework | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP14: Yard inspection pit | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP15: Concrete yard renewal | Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Nitrate – ground water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP16: Rainwater goods | Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP17: Storage tanks underground | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP18: Above ground tanks | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP19: First flush rainwater diverters and downpipe filters | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP20: Relocation of sheep dips and pens | Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water |
| RP21: Relocation of sheep pens only | Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water |
| RP22: Sheep dip drainage aprons and sumps | Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water |
| RP23: Installation of livestock drinking troughs (in draining pens for freshly dipped sheep) | Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water |
| RP24: Lined biobed plus pesticide loading and washdown area | Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water |
| RP25: Lined biobed with existing washdown area | Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water |
| RP26: Bio filters | Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water |
| RP27: Sprayer or applicator load and washdown area | Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water |
| RP28: Roofing (sprayer washdown area, manure storage area, livestock gathering area, slurry stores, silage stores) | Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP29: Self-supporting covers for slurry and anaerobic digestate stores | Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP30: Floating covers for slurry and anaerobic digestate stores and lagoons | Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP31: Equipment to disrupt tramlines in arable areas | Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| RP32: Small leaky woody dams | Natural flood management |
| RP33: Large leaky woody dams | Natural flood management |
| TE1: Planting standard hedgerow tree | Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| TE4: Supply and plant a tree | Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
| TE5: Supplement for use of individual tree-shelters | Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water |
Annex 3: Contact details
Contact Rural Payments Agency (RPA)
You can contact RPA by email, phone or post.
Rural Payments Agency
PO Box 324
Worksop
S95 1DF
Email: ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 200 301
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm, except bank holidays
Find out about call charges
For Higher Tier only: To request pre-populated applications forms:
- use the Rural Payments service
- email or call us
Please quote your single business identifier (SBI) and agreement number in all enquiries.
Contact Natural England
You can contact Natural England by email, phone or post.
Natural England
County Hall
Spetchley Road
Worcester
WR5 2NP
Email: enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk
Telephone: 0300 060 3900
March to September: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, except bank holidays
October to February: Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm, except bank holidays
Find out about call charges
Contact other organisations
You may also need to: