Introduction
This guidance explains how to complete your Countryside Stewardship (CS) Higher Tier application and supporting documents, after you’ve received them by email or post
You can request an application pack using the Rural Payments service. The pack will be emailed to you and will contain the information we hold for your business in the Rural Payments service. Check your junk folder if you have not received the application pack in your inbox following your request. The pack is emailed only once, so it’s important that all your information is up to date in the Rural Payments service before you request the pack.
If you cannot access the internet to request an application pack call us on 03000 200 301 and we’ll try to help.
To find out what you need to do, read ‘How to request a Mid Tier or Higher Tier application pack’ on GOV.UK.
The deadline for The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) to receive your completed application and supporting documents is midnight on 30 April 2021.
We recommend that you submit your application as early as possible and well before the deadline to allow time to resolve any queries. This will help us, the Forestry Commission, and Natural England make decisions and recommendations about your application. Read ‘Key dates’ above for more information.
To get started it’s important that you do the following in the order we’ve listed them:
Before you request a Higher Tier application pack – read ‘How to request a Mid Tier or Higher Tier application pack’ and use this guidance to follow 1 to 3 below; then
After you receive the application pack follow 4 and 5 below.
1) Register or sign in to the Rural Payments service – to receive CS payments, you must be registered in the Rural Payments service.
2) Check and change – you must check that your personal details, business details, permission levels and digital maps are up to date, and update them if needed before requesting your pack. You may find the RLE1 guidance useful, which is on GOV.UK.
3) Request a Higher Tier application pack – you can download an application pack, or request one to be emailed to you, using the Rural Payments service from 9 February to 30 April 2021.
If you do not have access to the internet, you can call us on 03000 200 301 until 30 April to request an application pack.
4) Read the scheme manual and other guidance
All the guidance and information you need for Countryside Stewardship (CS) in 2021 is on GOV.UK:
- search for the Countryside Stewardship (CS) Higher Tier (HT) manual
- for information about options and items available, the evidence you need for your application, and whether you need to submit it with your application or keep it until you’re asked for it search for Countryside Stewardship grants.
If you cannot access GOV.UK you can email or call us to request a paper copy of the manual.
You can read guidance about Agri-environment agreements and BPS on GOV.UK, search for Agri-environment schemes (CS and ES) and BPS.
Remember, it’s your responsibility to make sure that:
- you meet the scheme rules
- all the eligible land included in your application is correct, to the best of your knowledge.