From today, we're introducing a new Expression of Interest (EOI) process as part of our approach to widen participation in Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT).
You can submit an EOI for:
- Agroforestry
- Woodland improvement
You can also submit an EOI for new single-focus agreements, which are designed to support specific environmental priorities in the following areas:
- Scheduled monument management
- Species-rich grassland
Through single-focus agreements, you can access funding through a simpler route. These agreements are designed to reduce complexity and make it easier and quicker to join the scheme.
To allow applications to be processed efficiently, up to 1,200 single-focus agreements will initially be available.
Depending on the features and characteristics of your land, you may wish to have more than one single-focus agreement. This is possible, just note that you must complete a separate EOI form for each agreement.
Getting started
To express your interest, you must complete an online form. Before you do, read the guidance for CSHT on GOV.UK.
Take a moment to check that your business email address and permissions are up to date.
If you're completing the EOI on someone else's behalf, please make sure you have the correct permissions to act for their business so they can be verified. This will help ensure your EOI is processed as smoothly as possible.
Complete the online EOI form for CSHT.
You will need your:
- single business identifier (SBI)
- customer reference number (CRN)
- business name
- site name
- county most of the land you want to include is in
- approved agroforestry and woodland improvement plans
You’ll be asked a range of questions and, after submitting, you’ll be given the option to have a copy of it emailed to you.
Submitting an EOI form doesn't guarantee that you'll be offered a CSHT agreement.
You will be contacted within 10 weeks of submitting your EOI with the outcome.
Contact will be made using the main email address registered on the Rural Payments service.
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6 comments
Comment by Tom Parsons posted on
The EOI form could do with some work and some clarification.
If working for a client, do you include your business name and your CRN? Most agents don't have the clients CRN, only their SBI. Likewise do you use your agency business name or the client's business name?
Going through the EOI relating to management and restoration of species-rich grassland, the question 'Is the land you intend to apply for mapped on the Priority Habitat Inventory?' only has yes/no answer. You can't select both although very often part of the site (e.g. for management) will be on the PHI and part that is e.g. being put forward for restoration or creation is not on the PHI as it is not currently PHI. You should be able to provide the answer: 'some of it is mapped'.
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Tom,
Thanks for getting in touch.
We appreciate the points you've raised, both around the guidance for agents completing applications on behalf of clients and the functionality of some of the questions within the form.
In particular, your comments about the use of business names and reference numbers when acting as an agent, and the limitation of the Priority Habitat Inventory question where only part of a site may be mapped, are helpful examples of where additional clarification or flexibility may be beneficial.
We will share your feedback with the content team for consideration as they continue to review and improve the guidance and application process.
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Sue Collins posted on
Thank you for opening the Species Rich Grassland option and making expressions of interest form available to complete. This is very welcome for farmers who want to do more for grassland biodiversity.
I have one comment on the form re the Species Rich Grassland Expressions of Interest. The
Question
“Will the land and actions for species-rich grassland stay the same as in your expiring agreement?”
requires a “Yes” or “No” answer.
This binary question was problematic for me - I answered “No” - As not all my land is included and I intend to both continue and to improve my management for biodiversity . ie
I plan to continue my extensive/ low density grazing management with cattle and some hand scything ( in accordance with my existing CS mid tier Agreement till end 2026) then also adjust/ enhance my land management to help achieve even better floral abundance and diversity for insects, birds, bats, grasshoppers etc - and would plan to do so in the light of future advice from NE, that I would receive in a follow up Application process.
So maybe I should have answered “Yes” …
I did not see any opportunity on the EOI to clarify this and am concerned that this may affect how my Expression of interest is assessed.
The guidance note for filling in the form did not help to explain how to answer this question (if you were not already in a Higher Level Stewardship Scheme).
Many thanks for considering this .
Comment by The Team posted on
Hi Sue,
Thanks for highlighting this. We'll pass your feedback on to the content and policy teams for consideration as they continue to review and improve the process.
Best wishes,
The Team
Comment by Alexandra Simmons posted on
Hi DEFRA - when you say "woodland improvement" are you solely referring to "CWD2: Woodland improvement" or all CSHT actions that are tagged as "woodland" in the grant finder database:
CWD1: Woodland creation maintenance
CWD2: Woodland improvement
CWS2: Manage and restore plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) supplement
CWS5: Improve woodland resilience supplement
CWS7: Manage historic features in woodlands supplement
CWS8: Manage native woodland including ancient semi-natural woodlands (ASNW) supplement
CWS9: Manage woodlands for flood and drought mitigation supplement
CWS10: 2-zone rides supplement
CWS11: 3-zone rides supplement
CES6: Maintain features for wildfire management (fire belts) supplement
Comment by The Team posted on
Hello,
CWD1 is available by invitation only for customers who have previously had a Woodland Creation Agreement.
Woodland Improvement includes all the actions and items set out in Annex D of the Higher Tier (HT) guidance.
The supplements you listed should be used with CWD2, which forms the base woodland action.
You can also choose from a number of additional actions and items as part of your Woodland Improvement application, all of which are detailed in Annex D of the CSHT Applicant's Guide: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht/csht-applicants-guide
Best wishes,
The Team