Changes Announced to CSS Capital Grant Funding

Published: 15/03/2023 By Morgan Clement

Our Rural Grants experts keep a close eye on opportunities for and changes to the Countryside Stewardship Capital Grant Funding available. Two announcements recently released affect the amount of funding available and the timescale during which the funded improvements are implemented, as Rural Surveyor Morgan Clement explains

Until now, anybody successfully applying for Capital Grant Funding had to complete the improvements within two years, and then submit their claim. That timescale has just been extended to three years.
Additionally, the upper limit of £20,000 per theme has been abolished, so there is no limit to the value of capital items that can be included in each of these groups:

• boundaries, trees and orchards
• water quality
• air quality
• natural flood management

There are 70 capital items available to apply for and the Countryside Stewardship online grant finder is a useful resource, providing a description of and essential requirements for each capital item. This includes eligibility and evidence requirements.
Some of the items which could be claimed include

• FG1 – Fencing
• LV1 – Cattle Grid
• RP28 – Roofing (sprayer washdown area, manure storage area, livestock gathering area, slurry stores, silage stores)
• LV7 – Livestock Trough
• BN11 – Planting new hedges

Please be aware that certain items still require Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer support prior to applying.

Symonds & Sampson can provide further specific advice and guidance in relation to Rural Grants and assist with undertaking applications. Please contact Morgan Clement in our Wimborne office on 01202 882103, or a member of our Rural Grants Team in your nearest office.

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