Natural and Cultural Assets

The natural  and cultural heritage theme will be delivered through:

Environmental Stewardship

This agri-environment scheme aims to benefit the environment by protecting our natural and heritage resources across the region.

In our region £22.5 million is available is available in axis 2 to deliver Environmental Stewardship.

The scheme has three parts:

  • Entry Level Stewardship
  • Organic Entry Level Stewardship
  • Higher Level Stewardship

As well as funding environmental stewardship Natural England is also making payments to the legacy schemes.

Entry Level Stewardship (ELS)

ELS is a whole farm scheme. It aims to encourage simple yet effective land management and is open to all farmers and land managers.

Agreement holders can chose from a wide range of options to cover all farming types. Agreements last 5 years with £30 paid per hectare if the scheme requirements are met.

More detailed information and the application process can be viewed via the following link http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/els/handbook/default.htm

Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS)

Similar to ELS, OELS is also a whole farm scheme but recognises the greater environmental benefit that organic farming systems deliver. It is open to farmers who manage all or part of their land organically and are registered with an Organic Inspection Body.

Agreements last 5 years with £60 paid per hectare for all organic land entered into the scheme. If you are already receiving aid under the Organic Aid Scheme (OAS) or the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) you are not eligible to apply.

More detailed information and the application process can be viewed via the following link:
 http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/hls/handbook/default.htm

Higher Level Stewardship (HLS)

HLS is usually combined with ELS or OELS options to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority situations and areas. It involves more complex environmental management. Land managers need advice and support and agreements need to be tailored to local circumstances.

Entry into HLS is discretionary with applications going through an assessment process that considers the environmental priorities identified in the applicant’s local area. Agreements are 10 years and payments depend on the options you chose.

More detailed information and the application process can be viewed via the following link:
www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/hls/handbook/chapter1.htm#1-2 .

Agri-Environment Scheme Targeting

In 2007-08 Natural England are aiming to have 60% of the region’s landowners in the ELS. The remainder of the budget, excluding commitments to ongoing agreements, will be targeted towards HLS.

Natural England uses extensive Geographical information (GIS) to target environmental stewardship.

The map below shows the priority areas for HLS in the region:

Map Depicting HLS Target Areas - North East Region

Energy Crops Scheme (ECS)

Natural England, with assistance from the Forestry Commission, will have responsibility for the new Energy Crops Scheme (ECS) that was opened for business on 1 October 2006.

The RDPE partner organisations are planning to work together to enable ECS in adding value to other investments made under the Bioenergy priority theme, and to assist the scheme in targeting the right areas.

More details on the scheme can be viewed at:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/crops/industrial/energy/energy2.htm#support

Legacy Agri-Environment Schemes

Natural England also has responsibility for agreements under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) and Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA). These schemes were the predecessor to Environmental Stewardship under the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP).

Both CSS and ESA continue to deliver environmental benefits (as well as some social and economic benefits) but they are less targeted than HLS under Environmental Stewardship. The RDPE axis 2 budget is used to support the legacy schemes as well as Environmental Stewardship.

English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS)

In response to national and regional priorities the EWGS provides funding for woodland creation and sustainable woodland management across England. 

The scheme has two main aims

  • Stewardship of existing woodlands
  • Creation of new woodlands

Priority areas for support include:

  • Management of ancient woodland to secure the delivery of conservation benefits.
  • Management of woodlands or forests in ways that protect endangered species such as the red squirrel.
  • Provision of public access and recreational facilities in woods for local communities.
  • Creation of new native woodlands to provide habitat for our indigenous woodland plants and animals and enhance the landscape.
  • Improving the environments of our towns and cities, particularly in areas of disadvantage, by creating new woodlands on derelict land and in areas lacking green space.

The scheme is available to any landowner or their legal representative although we are increasingly targeting grant aid to meet the priorities in the Regional Forest Strategy.   http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6WNKAK

The total budget for woodland grants is around £2m per annum.  The level of grant depends on the level of public benefit delivered.

EWGS is made up of six different grant types:

  1. Planning (WPG) – To support long term planning and related to independent certification
  2. Assessment (WAG) – For gathering key information relating to a woodland to make better management decisions
  3. Regeneration (WRG) – For replanting woodlands after felling or for natural regeneration
  4. Woodland Improvement Grant (WIG) – To improve the value of woodlands for public access and enjoyment or as wildlife habitats, including SSSI’s
  5. Woodland Management Grant (WMG) – For sustainable woodland management activity (targeted to achieve particular benefits)
  6. Woodland Creation (WCG) – For creating new woodlands (additional grant aid is available for woodlands created near towns or cities and/or that offer public access, and for woodlands created on agricultural land)

As of 29th May, 2008, the new England Woodland Grant Scheme is now open for business. The Forestry Commission is seeking applications for spend in the 2009-2010 financial year.

For more detailed information on the EWGS in NE England see http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6WMCY7