Guidance

Applicant's guide: Protection and Infrastructure (from 8 February 2022)

Published 5 January 2023

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-cs-protection-and-infrastructure-manual-from-8-february-2022/applicants-guide-protection-and-infrastructure-from-8-february-2022

1 Introduction

This manual explains what you need to do to apply for CS Protection and Infrastructure grant for FY2 (Woodland Infrastructure), BC3 and BC4 Beaver Protection (capital items) and the additional requirements and processes that you must follow if your application is successful.

Countryside Stewardship is administered by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Forestry Commission and Natural England provides technical advice in support of the scheme.

The Countryside Stewardship scheme overview

Countryside Stewardship gives incentives for land managers to look after their environment. Read about the different elements of CS, and new schemes that will be available.

The main priority for Countryside Stewardship is to protect and enhance the natural environment, in particular:

  • increased biodiversity, improved habitat and expanded woodland areas

  • improved air quality

  • improved water quality.

Countryside Stewardship gives incentives for land managers to look after their environment and is made up of the following elements:

  • Higher Tier agreements for land that requires more complex management tailored to the individual site including woodland maintenance

  • Mid Tier agreements that provide a range of options and capital items that together help to deliver a broad range of environmental benefits

  • four Wildlife Offers that provide a simpler set of options to help improve the wildlife on farms

  • Capital Grants that provide grants for boundaries, trees and orchards, water quality and air quality

  • Woodland Tree Health grant to help restore and improve tree health

  • Woodland Management Plan grant to help create a UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) compliant 10-year woodland management plan

  • Facilitation Fund which supports individuals who bring together groups of farmers, foresters and other land managers to improve the environmental outcomes in their area.

Mid Tier Wildlife Offers, Woodland Tree Health, Higher and Mid Tier organic grants are not competitive.

If you are eligible for the grant and there is sufficient budget, RPA (supported by a Forestry Commission Woodland Officer) will approve your application.

More information

Read more about the different elements of Countryside Stewardship and use Countryside Stewardship forms on GOV.UK to help with your application.

Agricultural Transition

We will continue to offer Countryside Stewardship agreements in 2023 and 2024. This includes CS Protection and Infrastructure.

Countryside Stewardship will eventually be replaced with three new schemes that reward the delivery of environmental benefits: the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Local Nature Recovery, and Landscape Recovery. This will follow piloting involving farmers and land managers. The future schemes will be in place by 2025.

Signing up to a Countryside Stewardship agreement now will put you in the best possible position to join future schemes. What’s more, it will give you a viable, long-term source of income for providing environmental benefits as Basic Payment Scheme payments are reduced.

You may need to keep evidence and provide it when requested. Check Countryside Stewardship grants on GOV.UK for the evidence and record-keeping requirements of grants before you apply for them.

CS Protection and Infrastructure is for a maximum of 2 years. Agreements will start from the first of the month after we’ve completed our checks. The exact start date of the agreement will be set out in the Agreement Document.

Important information for FY2 Woodland Infrastructure

If you are a farmer or other land manager, you can apply for CS Protection and Infrastructure if you have a Woodland Management Plan or a Woodland Creation agreement. If you have a Woodland Creation agreement it must have started before 1 January 2022.

Important information for Beaver Protection capital items BC3 and BC4

CS Protection and Infrastructure grants for capital items are available if you are a farmer or land manager with either a permanent crop or have trees that are located within 100 metres of a water body or watercourse, which require protection from beaver activity.

BC4 capital items must only be used to protect specific trees which have commercial, amenity or ornamental value to qualify for protection within the landscape. An ornamental tree is a tree that is grown only for aesthetic value, for its beautiful appearance and not for harvest of fruit or wood for commercial gain. This option must not be used to protect all trees along a watercourse or within beaver territory, as beavers need access to woody material to feed on during the winter months and to build structures such as dams and lodges.

You can contact Natural England for further advice about tree eligibility.

If you wish to apply for a range of capital items designed to restore existing farm boundaries, and those that aim to improve water and air quality, either directly or indirectly, these items are available through Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants.

Accessibility improvements

We have made a number of changes to improve accessibility as part of our ongoing aim to provide a high quality service to all our customers. You will see some small changes in the Countryside Stewardship application annexes and forms, but the way they work and the data required remain the same.

Countryside Stewardship Agreement

A Countryside Stewardship agreement comprises of:

  • the scheme Terms and Conditions

  • an Agreement Document (which sets out Agreement Holder specific details)

  • the supplementary documents referred to in the Agreement Document.

The Terms and Conditions refer to the mandatory elements of this manual that Agreement Holders must comply with and can be found at Annex 1.

Mandatory parts of the CS Protection and Infrastructure manual

The mandatory elements of this manual are:

  • Section 2: CS Protection and Infrastructure overview

  • Section 3: Who can apply

  • Section 5: How the CS Protection and Infrastructure grant works

  • Section 6: Scheme requirements and procedures

  • Section 7: Agreement Management.

Be aware of fraud

How to avoid fraud and what to do if you suspect an attempted fraud.

Fraudsters may target farmers who receive subsidy payments and we’re aware that

in the past some customers have received emails, texts and telephone calls claiming

to be from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) or the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Links to a fake website designed to look like an authentic RPA or Defra online service are sometimes included in the message.

We do not send emails or text messages with links to websites asking you to confirm your personal details or payment information. We strongly advise anyone who receives such a request not to open the link and delete the item.

As fraudsters may target farmers who receive subsidy payments, remember:

If you suspect an attempted fraud or feel you have been the subject of fraud, you can contact:

  • RPA’s Fraud Referral Team on 0800 347 347 or [email protected]

  • Action Fraud (the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber-crime) on

0300 123 2040

2 How the CS Protection and Infrastructure grant works

You must read and meet the requirements detailed in this section, as these are mandatory for the CS Protection and Infrastructure agreement holders.

This grant is a standalone capital grant available under Countryside Stewardship. It is a new grant provided under domestic legislation.

You can apply for a CS Protection and Infrastructure grant for FY2 Woodland Infrastructure capital items any time after applications open on 8 February 2022. If you accept an offer for a grant, you will enter into an agreement with the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).

For guidance and information on other woodland capital grants available as part of Countryside Stewardship (Woodland Management Plans and Woodland Tree Health) read Countryside Stewardship: How to apply.

Beaver Protection capital items

You can apply for a CS Protection and Infrastructure grant for Beaver Protection (capital items) which are BC3 (Crop protection mesh wire fencing for permanent crops) and BC4 (Tree guard post and wire), any time after applications open on 5 July 2022. If you accept a grant offer, you will enter into an agreement with the Rural Payments Agency.

2.1 Agreement period

The CS Protection and Infrastructure agreement is made up of a 2 year capital grant under which you can apply for support to create FY2 Woodland Infrastructure or Beaver Protection (capital items) BC3 and/or BC4.

The agreement runs for a maximum of 2 years from the start date of your agreement. The agreement may not run for the full 2-year period if you finish the works before then.

During this period, you must complete all CS Protection and Infrastructure capital works. You will then have a further 3 months from the end of this period to submit your payment claim. We will not accept claims after this date.

You must not submit your payment claim until you have paid for the capital items on the claim and the payment for them has left your bank account.

You must:

  • maintain any capital items funded through the scheme in the same condition and specification set out in your agreement, for 5 years from the start date of the CS Protection and Infrastructure agreement. This is called the ‘durability’ period of the agreement.

  • have management control of the land for the length of the CS Protection and Infrastructure agreement including for the 5 years durability period. See Section 3.2 which explains how this ‘durability’ requirement applies if you are a landlord or a tenant.

2.2 What the grant cannot pay for

The grant cannot be used to pay for the cost of any of the following:

  • any capital works initiated before the agreement start date

  • planning application fees or other transactional fees

  • agent fees or other advisory fees

  • meeting legal requirements, including planning conditions

  • woodland creation for short rotation coppice and/or short rotation forestry

  • protection for trees and permanent crops that are more than 100 metres from a water body or watercourse

  • for fencing to protect temporary crops.

3 Who can apply

You must read and meet the requirements detailed in this section as these are mandatory for all CS Protection and Infrastructure grant agreement holders.

The CS Protection and Infrastructure grant is open to land managers who are one of the following:

  • an owner occupier

  • a tenant

  • a landlord

  • a licensor as long as they have control of all the land and all the activities needed to meet the obligations of the grant for the full duration of the agreement.

3.1 Eligible Land

3.1.1 What land can be entered into the scheme:

  • land parcels must be entirely within England

  • you must have management control of the relevant parcels for 5 years from the agreement start date or have your application countersigned by the landlord (read section 3.2.1).

  • land parcels included in a Forestry Commission approved Woodland Management Plan or Woodland Creation Plan.

  • land in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or Scheduled Monument (SM), including the boundaries of these sites.

3.1.2 Ineligible land

The following land is not eligible for the CS Protection and Infrastructure grant – you cannot include it on your application:

  • developed land and hard standing (including permanent caravan sites and areas used for permanent storage)

  • land that is already included in another scheme or obligation (read section 3.3)

  • any land parcels which are not entirely within England. Parcels that are either partly or entirely within Scotland or Wales, are not eligible for Countryside Stewardship.

3.2 Management Control eligibility and scheme rules

You must have management control of all the land and all the activities needed to meet the requirements of the management options and/or capital items you select for 5 years from the Countryside Stewardship agreement start date, including the durability requirement (read section 2.1).

If you do not have full control of the land and all such activities, you must get the written consent of all other parties who have management control of the land and activities for 5 years from the start of the agreement. Read below for more details on how to do this.

3.2.1 Tenants

If you occupy land under a tenancy, including the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986, the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995 (a Farm Business Tenancy) or equivalent, and you are applying for an agreement in your own name, this land is eligible if you have:

  • security of tenure for at least 2 years from the start of the CS Protection and Infrastructure grants agreement. The land is not eligible if you do not have this minimum period of tenure

  • management control of the land for 5 years from the start of the CS Protection and Infrastructure grants agreement. If you do not have management control for 5 years from the start date of the agreement, you must get the countersignature of your landlord as part of your application

  • control of all the activities over the land to meet the scheme requirements for the chosen capital items

  • the agreement of your landlord before you apply.

It is your responsibility to check that by joining Countryside Stewardship you do not breach the terms of your tenancy agreement.

If the landlord takes over a Countryside Stewardship 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.

3.2.2 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 that has been let to a tenant.

As the Agreement Holder, you must give your tenant a copy of the Countryside Stewardship agreement. You may need to provide evidence, if requested, that you have given your tenant a copy of the agreement. It is your responsibility to make sure that your tenant does not breach the terms of the agreement.

3.2.3 Partnerships

If you are in a business partnership, you can apply for Countryside Stewardship. The person signing the application must have the appropriate permission levels in the Rural Payments service.

3.2.4 Licensors

If you are a licensor, you can apply for a Countryside Stewardship agreement on the land entered into a licence arrangement. It is your responsibility to make sure that the licensee does not breach the terms of the Countryside Stewardship.

3.2.5 Licensees

If you only have access to land under a licence arrangement, that land will not usually be eligible for Countryside Stewardship. This is because a licensee will not have sufficient management control of the land and will be ineligible.

However, if in practice, your agreement with the landowner gives you wider land management responsibilities, this may mean you are a tenant not a licensee and you may be eligible. If this is the case, you will need to show that you have sufficient management control of the land and activities to be able to apply.

3.2.6 Land owned by public bodies

Land owned or run by a public body is in general not eligible for Countryside Stewardship. If you are a tenant of a public body, you will need to check with your landlord if the land is eligible for Countryside Stewardship.

Countryside Stewardship cannot pay for any environmental management that is already required through:

  • payment from Exchequer funds

  • grant aid from any other public body

  • any other form of legally binding obligation including tenancies.

This means that Crown bodies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) are not eligible for the scheme. This includes those that are Trading Funds or those that do not receive funding direct from the Exchequer. Crown bodies include all government departments and their executive agencies, for example:

  • Ministry of Defence

  • Forestry Commission.

NDPBs are public bodies that have a role in the processes of national government but are not a government department and are not part of one. These include:

  • Environment Agency

  • Natural England

  • Historic England

  • National Forest Company.

  • Parish councils and former college farms are not considered to be public bodies and so are eligible to apply for Countryside Stewardship.

The following table provides more detailed eligibility criteria for public bodies.

Body/Organisation Eligibility More information
Government departments, executive agencies and NDPBs (for example Ministry of Defence, Forestry Commission Ineligible Not Applicable  
Other public bodies (for example local authorities, National Park authorities and public corporations) Eligible Can apply provided the work does not form part of their obligations as a public body  
Parish Councils Eligible    
Tenants of eligible public bodies Eligible Ineligible where the work is already a requirement of the tenancy agreement. The public body must countersign the application if the tenant does not have security of tenure.  
Tenants of ineligible public bodies Eligible Ineligible where the work is already a requirement of the tenancy agreement. Tenants must have security of tenure for the full term of the agreement, as the public body cannot countersign the application.  

If you are a tenant of a public body, you may be able to receive payments for the grant. To be eligible, you must have security of tenure for the full period of the agreement. If you do not have security of tenure for the full period of the agreement, you may still be eligible, but both of the following apply:

  • your landlord must countersign your application

  • your landlord must be eligible.

If you are a tenant of an ineligible public body and your tenure ends before the end of the subsequent 5-year durability period of the agreement; you will not be able to apply for an agreement.

On land owned by public bodies, the durability requirements described in Section 2.1 apply.

This means that tenants must:

  • maintain any capital items funded through the scheme in the same condition and specification set out in your agreement, for 5 years from the start of the agreement. This is called the ‘durability’ period of the agreement

  • have management control of the land for the length of the of the agreement including for the 5-year durability period.

An eligible public body (local authority, National Park, or public corporation) must countersign the agreement where the tenancy will end during the 5- year durability period.

If you are a tenant of a public body, then please contact RPA or your Forestry Commission Woodland Officer to discuss your application.

3.3 Land receiving other funding or other agreements

You cannot use a grant for capital works which you are required to carry out under other legally binding obligations or for which you are receiving or have received funding from other sources. 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. The most common examples are listed below.

3.3.1 Applying for Countryside Stewardship where someone else is claiming Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) on the same land (‘dual use’)

In certain circumstances, it is possible for a land parcel to be used by one Single Business Identifier (SBI) to claim BPS and that same land parcel to also be included in a Countryside Stewardship application submitted by someone else under their SBI. This is known as ‘dual use’.

If you are in a dual use situation you must be able to demonstrate that you are meeting the rules and eligibility requirements of the scheme you are claiming for and you must have a written record.

If you are the Countryside Stewardship applicant, you have to meet the Countryside Stewardship eligibility rules, including having ‘management control’ of the land included in your Countryside Stewardship application.

The BPS applicant must show that they have the same land ‘at their disposal’ under the BPS rules (and meet BPS eligibility rules).

If you have an agreement with another person who uses the land to apply for BPS, this does not mean that person has the land at their disposal. It is the rights and responsibilities held in relation to the land, and how they operate in practice, which determine this.

An example of ‘dual use’ is where a landlord has management control of the land for Countryside Stewardship while the tenant has the same land at their disposal to claim BPS.

If you are the Countryside Stewardship applicant, make sure you have a written record before the BPS application deadline of 16 May 2022 that is signed and dated by both parties. This written record could be a tenancy agreement, a letter, or both, which shows:

  • the rights and responsibilities you and the BPS applicant in the ‘dual use’ situation each have for the land

  • you have management control of the land and the BPS applicant has the land ‘at their disposal’

  • you have given a copy of the Countryside Stewardship Agreement Document and the terms and conditions (once you receive them) to the other party and that they must meet the terms and conditions (unless you can show that you are carrying out the required activities).

You must also make sure that the ‘dual use’ land parcels are linked to both SBIs in the digital maps in the Rural Payments service. The BPS applicant may need to transfer the land parcels to you using an electronic or paper RLE1 form. Read about how to do this in the RLE1 guidance on GOV.UK

You may want to get independent professional advice, especially if you previously had a verbal agreement (rather than a written agreement) with the other party.

3.3.2 Environmental Stewardship

Land parcels in Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) are not eligible for (capital item) FY2 Woodland Infrastructure, CS Protection and Infrastructure grant.

Land parcels in Higher Level Stewardship are eligible for Beaver Protection (capital items) BC3 and BC4.

3.3.3 Countryside Stewardship

You can enter land parcels in a Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier or Higher Tier agreement into the CS Protection and Infrastructure grant provided:

  • any capital works in those Mid Tier or Higher Tier agreements have been fully completed and paid for and,

  • the new capital works are additional works and do not conflict with the existing Mid Tier or Higher Tier agreement.

3.3.4 Environmental Land Management schemes

Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot

You cannot apply for FY2 (Woodland Infrastructure) CS Protection and Infrastructure grant on land parcels that are included in a Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) pilot standards agreement. If you have other land parcels not included in your SFI pilot standards agreement, you can apply for CS Protection and Infrastructure grant on those land parcels.

You can apply for BC3 and BC4 Beaver protection (capital items) on land parcels which are included in a SFI pilot standards agreement.

There is a separate CS Capital Grants offer for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) pilot participants to support delivery of the SFI pilot standards. If you are an SFI pilot participant, please see Capital Grants: Countryside Stewardship for more information.

Sustainable Farming Incentive 2022

There will be no capital payments available under the SFI standards in 2022. Capital payments will be introduced into SFI later in the rollout. We will release more details in due course. In 2022, farmers will still be able to apply under other Defra capital offers (including Countryside Stewardship), alongside an SFI agreement.

Local Nature Recovery

We plan to make an early version of Local Nature Recovery available to a limited number of people in 2023 and expand this as we roll out the scheme more widely by the end of 2024. We will publish more information about the scheme, including how CS agreement holders can take part, later this year.

Landscape Recovery

Customers with a CS Protection and Infrastructure grants offer can also apply for a Landscape Recovery agreement. Defra will work with Landscape Recovery applicants during the project development phase on how to transition CS agreement holders fully into Landscape Recovery and avoid double funding.

3.3.5 English Woodland Scheme

You can apply for Countryside Stewardship items on land parcels covered by an EWGS Management Planning Grant and certain capital grants (for example, Woodland Improvement Grant - WIG) as long as this does not result in you being paid twice for the same items or activities and the CS items do not conflict with any ongoing EWGS requirements.

You cannot apply for Countryside Stewardship items on land parcels covered by a multi-annual English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) agreement, Farm Woodland Payment (FWP), Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS) or Farm Woodland Scheme (FWS).

3.3.6 Farming Recovery Fund

Land parcels covered by the Farming Recovery Fund are not eligible at present.

3.3.7 Inheritance tax or Capital Gains exemption

Countryside Stewardship options and 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 exemption: Countryside Stewardship to find out whether capital items available under the CS Protection and Infrastructure grants are always eligible, never eligible, or need checking.

3.3.8 CS Protection and Infrastructure under Countryside Productivity, Growth Programme, LEADER, Water Environment Grant, Farming in Protected Landscapes, Woodland Carbon Fund, HS2 Woodland Fund, Farming Investment Fund and England Woodland Creation Offer

Countryside Stewardship cannot fund works that form part of these, or similar schemes or grants

3.3.9 Common land and shared grazing

Common land is eligible for the FY2 (Woodland Infrastructure) grants. BC4 (Tree guard post and wire) grants are available on commons where trees are within 100 metres of a water body or watercourse. Commoners need to agree and name one person to sign the application. This person will then be responsible for maintaining the relevant agreement, if accepted, on behalf of all the commoners.

If your application is on common land you must read the Common land and shared grazing: supplement to the Countryside Stewardship manual which sets out the requirements, and complete the additional Common land and shared grazing form: Countryside Stewardship.

If you are thinking about applying for an agreement, the work may need consent from the Planning Inspectorate. Consent is required where the work would prevent or impede access or for works to the surface the land, for example:

  • putting up new fences to protect new trees, woodland planting or to encourage natural regeneration

  • building new solid surfaced roads, paths, or car parks to enable access to manage the new or existing woodland.

Consent is not required in certain situations – including erecting fencing for up to 5 years, depending on the purpose of the fencing, such as habitat restoration on moorland. However, where an exception applies you must still complete a notice of exemption and send it to the Planning Inspectorate.

If consent is needed it applies equally to new works or where the work is an extension to work with an existing consent.

To be given consent, the work you propose will need to comply with the Common land consents policy.

Read Carrying out works on common land to find out more information on the type of work that requires consent, where exemptions might apply and the application process.

3.4 Business Viability Test

We will check all applications against an insolvency register. If we assess your application as not financially viable, we may not offer you an agreement.

For applications including capital expenditure of over £50,000 in total, you must submit a statement from a registered accountant (for example, a chartered accountant or certified accountant). This is to confirm that the business or SBI has the resources from trading profits, reserves or loans to undertake the work in the proposed agreement schedule.

Where confirmation from an accountant is needed, the accountant will need to provide a letter on headed paper which confirms at least the following:

  • they are a registered chartered accountant

  • they act as the accountant for the applicant or have been contracted to act on behalf of the applicant

  • they can confirm that 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, loan etc)

  • their understanding of the total value of the capital works in the application.

Applications involving capital expenditure over certain limits will require additional evidence and undergo additional checks. Read 4.7.1 for more information.

4 How to apply

Find out how to apply and the evidence and consents you’ll need.

4.1 CS Protection and Infrastructure Grants application route: step by step guide

  • Register your land on the Rural Payments service if you have not already done so and prepare your application. Application documents are available on GOV.UK.

  • Submit your application to RPA by email or by post. Refer to Section 4.7 for further information

For FY2 Woodland Infrastructure

  • RPA carry out checks to make sure your application is complete and eligible

  • A Forestry Commission Woodland Officer will visit your site, carry out consultation and/or assessment if required and agree any changes to your application with you

  • Send your final application and any necessary supporting evidence and documentation to the Forestry Commission. The form must be signed if sending by post, but a signature is not required if sending by email. You do not need to send any consents with your application, but you must obtain consent before you carry out any work where a consent is needed. We may ask to see evidence of this

  • You can accept or reject the agreement offer – if you accept you have 2 calendar years to complete capital works from the agreement start date.

For Beaver Protection Capital Items BC3 and BC4

  • We carry out checks to make sure your application is complete and eligible

  • You can accept or reject the agreement offer – if you accept, you have 2 calendar years to complete capital works from the agreement start date.

4.2 Application deadline

You can apply for a CS Protection and Infrastructure grant at any time. The grant is open throughout the year.

4.3 Register with the Rural Payments service

You must be registered on the Rural Payments service before you can apply for this grant. Once you’re registered, you will receive a Customer Registration Number CRN) and a Single Business Identifier (SBI). You can find more information on How to register and update your details on the Rural Payments service on GOV.UK.

All land parcels listed on your application must be registered on the Rural Payments service.

4.4 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 on GOV.UK. 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’ on GOV.UK 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 contact details are all correct.

4.5 Application methods by email or post

You can email or post your application using the CS Protection and Infrastructure grant application form.

To help you fill in the application form read the Countryside Stewardship: How to apply for CS Protection and Infrastructure.

If you submit by email, please put ‘Application – CS – Protection and Infrastructure’ in the email subject heading. If you are applying for Beaver Protection (capital items), please put ‘Application – CS – Protection and Infrastructure Beaver.’ in the email subject heading. You must also put your SBI number in your email and check it is on everything you send to us. You need to make sure that you have the appropriate permission levels and that the email address for your business is registered in the Rural Payments service.

If you are unable to email your application and need to return a paper application, please sign your application form and send it with any supporting documents to:

Rural Payments Agency (CS)
PO Box 324
Worksop
S95 1DF

Please put your SBI number on everything you send to us. We recommend that you get proof of postage for any documents you send to us by post. You should keep a copy of your completed application form.

4.5.1 Prepare a map to accompany your application

You must complete your map to a required standard. See section 5.1.1 below for information on what is required for a FY2 (Woodland Infrastructure) map.

See section 5.7.3 for information on what is required for Beaver Protection (capital items).

If any consents are needed, you are responsible for arranging all relevant consents, permissions, exemptions, and any written advice needed for your application as set out in section 4.6.1 - 4.6.2We may ask to see this evidence.

Your local planning authority can give you informal advice on whether a proposal needs planning consent. There is also general guidance on planning permission for farms available.

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 this evidence when you make a claim for this work. You will need to check if any permissions or consents are needed before you begin any work. There is also general guidance on planning available at Planning practice guidance.

You will need to check with the local planning authority and relevant highways authority (if relevant), if permitted development rights apply to any (FY2 Woodland Infrastructure). This will determine if full planning consent is needed and which authority (Local Planning Authority or the Forestry Commission) will be responsible for a decision on whether consent is needed under the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. You will need to advise your local Forestry Commission Woodland Officer that you have contacted your local planning authorities at the time of your application.

Site of Special Scientific Interest (including National Nature Reserves)

One-to-one technical advice for CS Protection and Infrastructure agreements is not available from Natural England, except for any land in a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which is contained in the application. Work on land in a SSSI will need consent and you should contact Natural England as early as possible when you are getting your application ready. For further information on SSSI consents go to Give notice and get consent for a planned activity on a SSSI on GOV.UK.

Scheduled monuments

Your local Historic England officer can provide advice on any management or changes needed to maintain or bring the monument into favourable condition. You may also need Scheduled Monument Consent from the Government (advised by Historic England) for some of the chosen work (such as fencing and gateways).

In these situations, you must speak to Historic England to see whether consent is needed, or how to go about works to avoid or reduce negative impacts on the Scheduled Monument.

If your proposals are bout any of the following, Historic England can advise whether they are likely to be acceptable:

  • registered parks and gardens

  • registered battlefields.

4.6.2 Other consents

You may need to apply for other consents even if you do not need planning consent. If you do, you must keep this evidence as we may ask to see it. Examples of areas where consent is likely to be needed includes where the work affects:

  • protected species (as defined by the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981)

  • registered parkland

  • registered battlefield

  • watercourse or highway areas subject to a Tree Preservation Order – a licence may be needed for any changes to trees and hedges.

For consents which affect protected species you may need to plan around seasonal activity. If this is the case, it’s important you arrange the consents well in advance.

If the work affects priority habitats (which may not be SSSIs), you may need to consider the impact on these even if you do not need consent.

4.6.3 Other considerations

When you carry out work under the agreement, remember that you must not breach any other rules or laws, such as:

  • break byelaws

  • obstruct public rights of way

  • block or restrict access to ‘open access’ land

  • affect oil or gas pipelines

  • breach your cross compliance requirements in relation to any other existing commitments you hold, where applicable, for example if you claim BPS payments.

4.7 Complete and submit your application

A complete application is made up of the following which you need to submit to us.

  • an application form

  • the application map as at section 5.2

  • a Countryside Stewardship: land ownership and control form, if applicable

  • any other supporting documents we ask for.

The form is available at Countryside Stewardship forms.

You do not need to send the following with your application, but 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.

  • any relevant consents, permissions, exemptions, or any written advice

  • any evidence you need to support your application (see sections 6.3 to 6.5), including photographs and any other evidence required for each capital item as described in the Countryside Stewardship grants.

4.7.1 Before you submit your application

Read this Countryside Stewardship manual and the Terms and Conditions below and:

  • double check the details in your application form are correct

  • read the declaration, undertakings and warning carefully

  • sign and enter your name in block letters, your capacity (for example, sole trader, company director, agent and so on) and the date of your signature.

The party/parties that sign the paper application must have full authority and capacity to represent and bind the applicant.

Make sure any counter signatories’ (for example, landlords’) declarations, undertakings and signature(s) are provided (if applicable).

4.7.2 Submitting your application

You can email your application and supporting information to: [email protected] or post it to:

Rural Payments Agency (CS)
PO Box 324
Worksop
S95 1DF

Title your email ‘Countryside Stewardship, document type, year, SBI number’, for example ‘Countryside Stewardship Protection and Infrastructure grant application, 2022, [SBI].

We also recommend that you get proof of postage for these and any other documents you send to us, keep a copy of your completed application form and map.

4.8 After applying

Once we receive your application, we will check it to confirm that:

  • it meets the eligibility requirements in section 3

  • you have filled in all the necessary details on the application form

  • you have completed the map.

You can find more information about entering into an agreement at section 6.1.

5 How the CS Protection and Infrastructure grant works

Information about FY2 Woodland Infrastructure and Beaver Protection

5.1 Capital Item FY2 Woodland Infrastructure

Find out more information about FY2 Woodland Infrastructure below:

Overview

Code Capital item for use in CS Protection and Infrastructure Payment rate Aim Additional notes mandatory or optional
FY2 Woodland Infrastructure 40% of actual cost (based on the selected quote) To be used to support the planting and maintenance of new woodland and the management of existing woodland Optional

This capital item supports improving the management of the woodland through making woodland accessible by road, allowing timber and other forest products to be moved more easily or to support the establishment of new woodland.

Under this item we will pay 40% of actual costs (including VAT and agent’s fees, where applicable). If you are using your own labour to complete this item, we will pay 80% of the 40% value.

We must receive at least 3 written quotes with your application and when you submit your claim you will need to provide receipted invoices that show you have made the payment.

You can find the guide to support this item on GOV.UK at: FY2 Woodland infrastructure.

Key points

You must identify the need for the proposed access to support the establishment of the new woodland in your Woodland Creation or Woodland Management plan. You can consult a Forestry Commission Woodland Officer for technical advice if you are unsure.

Your application map must also clearly show the proposed location of the infrastructure.

The infrastructure under FY2 (Woodland Infrastructure) does not require scoring as a standalone item when applied for as part of a CS Protection and infrastructure grant.

You can use FY2 (Woodland Infrastructure) on land outside of planting area, for example, for access reasons. However, you must have full management control of the land and the land must be registered to your SBI. You must agree the need for such access with your Forestry Commission Woodland Officer.

If the infrastructure crosses land that is not being planted as part of the new CS woodland creation, then this land needs to be free of any obligation in relation to Environmental Stewardship grants.

You can only apply for FY2 (Woodland Infrastructure) in conjunction with a Woodland Creation agreement if the agreement started before 1 January 2022. You cannot use item FY2 as part of woodland creation under the England Woodland Creation Offer.

Consents and permissions

Once you have an agreement you will need to prepare a detailed specification, tailored to the site. The specification needs to set out the work that will be carried out on site showing due consideration to the soil conditions.

The specification needs to meet the Forestry Commission’s Construction, Design and Management (CDM) regulations for forest roads and tracks. For more information, please read Roads and tracks: operations note 25.

You need to provide a clear rationale as to the roading specification selected and the Forestry Commission will assess this.

Before applying for this item, you must notify your local planning authority so they can check whether the work can be classified as a permitted development. This process requires you to submit a description of the work to the Local Authority. For more information read: Planning permission for farms.

Where the proposed road crosses a watercourse or uses culverts during construction, use or maintenance you’ll need to obtain consent for work from the Local Planning Authority (or internal drainage boards within an internal drainage district).

If the road requires access to the public highway then you may need to notify the relevant highways authority too. You must send a copy of the Local Planning Authority’s advice and any permits with your application.

The Forestry Commission will decide whether the work requires consent under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) Regulations. This is dependent on whether the proposal will have a significant effect on the environment. You can find more information about this in the Environmental Impact Assessments for woodland: overview.

5.2 Prepare a map for your FY2 Woodland Infrastructure application

You need to provide a map which shows all areas of proposed woodland creation and associated capital items with your application. If your application is successful and we offer you an agreement, the map you sent with the application will become the “Agreement Map”, so it needs to be clear, legible, and meet the standards set out below (see 5.2.1).

You can create the application map yourself (as long as it meets the standards in 5.2.1), or you can request one from the Forestry Commission map request service. The agreement map needs to reflect the details recorded in the CS Protection and Infrastructure application form, showing:

  • all land parcels and their land parcel reference numbers

  • any areas of open space within the area proposed for grant support. Integral open space must be limited to 20% of the total woodland area and individual areas of open space must not be more than 0.5ha. Areas larger than this can only be proposed in exceptional circumstances and you should discuss this with your FC officer. Open space includes forest tracks, rides, wayleaves and other permanent open areas

  • other relevant information outlined in section 5.6.1.

As part of your application, supporting maps for the woodland creation plan should contain more detailed information about the woodland creation, for example, stocking density, species, rides and open areas (read section 5.5.1 for more information). Supporting maps should be based on OS based maps and/or Geographical Information System (GIS)-generated digital maps. Maps must be based on a scale of 1:2,500 or 1:5,000 or for large schemes 1:10,000. If you are using a GIS based map, add a scale bar to the map so that this can be used to measure lengths. If you make a mistake strike through it. Do not use correction fluid on your map.

If you send a map that does not meet these requirements or the minimum standards outlined in 5.2.1, the RPA will send you a new base map. You will need to complete this map to the minimum standard.

You are responsible for providing updated maps if there are any changes agreed to your application.

5.2.1 Minimum mapping standards

When creating your application map (or marking capital items on the base map provided) you must comply with the following rules:

  • the map (or maps) must be based on a scale of 1:2500 or 1:5000 or for large schemes 1:10000

  • the map (or maps) must show the whole land parcel on which the capital items to be included are located

  • the map (or maps) must show the location of the proposed capital works (mark the capital items with a coloured pen and list the capital item code(s) next to them). This includes proposed planting areas

  • the map (or maps) must show any proposed areas of open space within the proposed planting areas

  • the map (or maps) must show fence lines – stating which type of fence (code) you are applying for

  • the map (or maps) should have a number (1, 2, 3, and so on). Include this map number and also the total number of maps, for example 1 of 3.

You must also:

  • write your Single Business Identifier (SBI) consisting of 9 digits, the application year, and agreement title (as detailed on the application form) on the top right of the map

  • write the name of business or applicant – this should be the name (beneficiary) that is registered with us for the SBI, on the right hand side of the map

  • write a 6 figure OS grid reference for the centre of the map on the bottom left of the map, if there are no numbered OS grid lines

  • if you make a mistake, strike through it. Do not use correction fluid on your map.

If you send a map that does not meet these standards, we will send you a base map to mark up and return.

5.3 Why FY2 Woodland Infrastructure applications may be rejected

We may reject your application at any stage if:

  • you have no evidence that poor vehicle access to the woodland is preventing the movement of timber and other forest products.

  • the application does not meet the UK Forestry Standard and associated guidelines and is likely to cause harm to the environment

  • you do not provide all necessary supporting evidence within the required timescale or we find an issue at a later date, for example, we find a potential environmental issue after the agreement has been signed.

5.4 Restrictions on agricultural activity in woodland areas

You cannot use any land subject to a Woodland Creation agreement or FY2 (Woodland Infrastructure) grant for any agricultural activity unless you have been granted permission by your Forestry Commission Woodland Officer. This must last for a period of at least 5 years following the final capital payment.

Once the Woodland Creation agreement starts the land is considered non - agricultural (regardless of when the trees are planted) because this is the point at which land is set aside for non-agricultural us.

At this point you must submit an RLE1 form to notify the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) and register the land as permanent non-agricultural area with an effective date from the start date of the CS Protection and Infrastructure grant and providing you meet all eligibility requirements you can continue to claim Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) on land in the Woodland Creation agreement.

Providing you meet all eligibility requirements you can continue to claim Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) on land in the Woodland Creation agreement. If applicable, you will be required to take action to continue to correctly claim BPS after tree planting. You can find more information on claiming BPS with Woodland Creation and Maintenance in section 8. Read general advice on how woodland grant agreements affect BPS eligibility in Guidance on woodland grant schemes and BPS: operations note 42.

5.5 How we process your application

Before you can submit your final application, the following must take place:

  • RPA will check and notify Forestry Commission that your application is valid and eligible and is available for a Forestry Commission Woodland Officer to visit

  • a Forestry Commission Woodland Officer must visit your site to review the application with you. They will check that the woodland design is appropriate and meets the UK Forestry Standard and check, that the items you applied for are suitable

  • the Forestry Commission will publicise the proposals on Public registers and consult on forestry projects if an Environmental Impact Assessment is being conducted during your application. This is to ensure that the local community knows about and can comment on the proposals

Timescales vary because each application is different, but we will process your application as quickly as possible. An application which involves the amendment of an existing Environmental Stewardship agreement, which requires consent or agreement from other parties because of potential impacts on designated sites and which includes the item FY2 Woodland Infrastructure can take longer.

During peak periods of work – such as when Forestry Commission Woodland Officers are negotiating Higher Tier applications from May to September - it may take longer for us to process your application.

The more preparatory work you can do to provide a detailed woodland infrastructure plan based on prior engagement with key stakeholders the better, as it will help us to process your application. Contact your Forestry Commission Woodland Officer as early as possible to receive advice and guidance to develop your application and understand how long it will take for us to process it.

Site visits needed as part of the application process can be carried out before you send your initial application. We recommend a joint site visit between you, Forestry Commission, and any relevant statutory bodies if the application may need consent or agreement from other parties.

FY2 (Woodland Infrastructure) will require confirmation of whether permitted development rights apply to the proposed road with your local planning authority (and relevant highways authority, as needed) as early as possible. You need to keep evidence that you have done this and send it with your claim.

Where planning permission is required you will need to have this consent before you do the work and provide evidence of this when you submit your claim for FY2 (Woodland Infrastructure).

To apply for FY2 (Woodland Infrastructure) you will also need to provide 3 quotes for the work. You must send this with your final application. If you provide this information earlier, it will help us process your application quicker.

If your application is successful, we will offer you a CS Protection and Infrastructure grant agreement once we have completed the final checks. If your application is unsuccessful, we will let you know.

5.6 Your agreement start

The CS Protection and Infrastructure element of your agreement will start on the first of the month after we have completed our checks.

You should discuss the likely start date with your Forestry Commission Woodland Officer.

5.7 Beaver Protection Capital items

You can apply for CS Protection and Infrastructure Beaver Protection capital items if your land is located in one of the following Catchment areas and there is evidence of beaver activity:

If you have land outside the above catchment areas with known established beaver populations, you can apply for BC3 and BC4 as long as you meet the requirements and send photographic evidence. We will send your application and photographic evidence to Natural England so they can carry out a site visit to confirm beaver activity.

Overview of Beaver Protection Capital Items

Code Capital item Payment rate Item group classification
BC3 Crop protection mesh wire fencing for permanent crops £3.20 per metre Beaver protection
BC4 Tree guard post and wire £84.00 per tree guard Beaver protection

More detailed information on (and the specific requirements for) these items are available on the Countryside Stewardship online grant finder.

5.7.1 BC3 Crop Protection mesh wire fencing for permanent crops

Farmers and land managers can apply for BC3 Crop Protection mesh wire fencing if the permanent crop is growing on land in one of the eligible catchment areas. Please see the list of eligible catchment areas in Section 5.7.

The BPS definition of permanent crops information provides a list of permanent crops that are eligible for BC3, including Cricket Bat Willow. The permanent crop must be within 100 metres of a water body or watercourse where beavers are foraging, or there is a strong likelihood of foraging.

You may have fencing that has previously been funded under Countryside Stewardship and is still within the ex-post requirements. Ex-post requirements mean that the fencing and posts should remain in place and be kept in the condition and specification for 5 years after the start of the funding agreement. You will need to install the BC3 Crop protection mesh and wire fencing alongside it, or it can be attached to the existing fencing. You can use the existing fencing posts and strengthen them or improve them with new posts where required.

The fence must not:

  • be attached to trees or hedgerows

  • block or restrict access to open access land

  • be located on historic or archaeological features

  • be located close to a watercourse

  • include electric fencing.

Permissions and Consents

Some activities near rivers which are a flood risk, such as installing fencing perpendicular, or in some instances across a watercourse, may need a permit or consent from the relevant Risk Management Authority. Permits or consent must be in place before your application is submitted.

You will need to contact:

Please read the Flood risk activities: environmental permits guidance, to check if you need to apply for an environmental permit, formally known as a flood defence consent, and get the form you need.

Consents and permissions must be submitted with your application form.

For full details of BC3 Crop protection mesh wire fencing for permanent crops, go to Countryside Stewardship online grant finder.

5.7.2 BC4 Tree Guard post and wire

Farmers and land managers can apply for BC4 Tree guard post and wire to protect specific trees that have a commercial, amenity or an ornamental value. An ornamental tree is a tree that is grown only for aesthetic value, for its beautiful appearance and not for harvest of fruit or wood for commercial gain. The trees must be growing on land in one of the eligible catchment areas listed in Section 5.7.

You can contact Natural England for further advice about tree eligibility.

The tree(s) must be within 100 metres of a water body or watercourse where beavers are foraging or there is a strong likelihood of foraging.

This option must not be used to protect all trees along a watercourse or within a beaver territory, as beavers need access to woody material to feed on during the winter months and to build structures such as dams and lodges.

Guidance on how to use wire mesh to protect trees can be found here: https://www.nature.scot/doc/protecting-trees-beavers-using-wire-mesh.

If you have tree guards in place that we have already funded, within ex-post requirements, you can install the new BC4 tree guards and wire mesh items alongside it.

The tree guard must not:

  • be attached directly to the tree

  • be attached so that they rub against, constrict or damage the tree in any other way

  • block or restrict access to open access land

  • be located on historic or archaeological features.

The use of electric fencing is not acceptable.

Permissions and Consents for BC4 Beaver Protection Capital Items

You will need to contact:

  • the relevant Risk Management Authority (RMA), (Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Board or the Lead Local Flood Authority) for consents or permissions connected with any beaver capital items.

  • Natural England for consents or permissions connected with the work if on a SSSI site.

Consents and permissions must be submitted with your application form.

5.7.3 Creating a map for your CS Protection and Infrastructure Beaver Protection Application

You must complete your map to a required standard. Please read the Countryside Stewardship: Capital grants – How to complete maps for your application guide for more information.

5.7.4 Your agreement start

The CS Protection and Infrastructure beaver protection element of your agreement will start on the first of the month after we have completed our checks.

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