Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier to Open to More Landowners This Summer
July 2026
DEFRA has announced a significant expansion of the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme, with access set to widen later this summer following a phased, invitation-only rollout.
CSHT provides funding to farmers and land managers to protect, restore and enhance the natural environment, whilst supporting climate resilience and sustainable land management. Since its launch last year, applications have only been accepted from invited applicants, allowing Natural England and DEFRA to carefully manage the introduction of the new scheme.
However, following an announcement at the start of July 2026, the Secretary of State confirmed that this invitation-only requirement will be removed for a number of agreement types, enabling more farmers and land managers to begin the application process through a new Expression of Interest (EOI).
This is particularly positive news for businesses with priority habitats, woodland, agroforestry projects or scheduled monuments, as well as those looking to continue environmental management when existing agreements come to an end.
• Woodland agreements.
• Agroforestry agreements.
• New single-focus agreements, initially covering species-rich grassland and scheduled monument management.
• Trial applications on common land.
• Continue supporting complex environmental projects through Higher Tier agreements, with at least £50 million available for new agreements this year.
• Existing Higher Tier and Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement holders with agreements ending in 2026 or early 2027.
• Farmers with Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier agreements containing priority habitats or scheduled monument options that are due to expire.
• Land managers with approved woodland management plans.
• Businesses introducing agroforestry.
• Farmers who have already completed preparatory work, such as feasibility studies or implementation plans.
• Holdings containing important habitats including species-rich grassland, peatland, wetlands, heathland and other high-value environmental features.
Whilst access is being widened, the scheme will still be rolled out in phases, with some agreement types subject to application limits and priority targeting.
If you would like to discuss whether your holding could benefit from Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, please contact your local GTH office, or email [email protected].
CSHT provides funding to farmers and land managers to protect, restore and enhance the natural environment, whilst supporting climate resilience and sustainable land management. Since its launch last year, applications have only been accepted from invited applicants, allowing Natural England and DEFRA to carefully manage the introduction of the new scheme.
However, following an announcement at the start of July 2026, the Secretary of State confirmed that this invitation-only requirement will be removed for a number of agreement types, enabling more farmers and land managers to begin the application process through a new Expression of Interest (EOI).
This is particularly positive news for businesses with priority habitats, woodland, agroforestry projects or scheduled monuments, as well as those looking to continue environmental management when existing agreements come to an end.
What is changing?
Later this summer, applicants will be able to submit an Expression of Interest for:• Woodland agreements.
• Agroforestry agreements.
• New single-focus agreements, initially covering species-rich grassland and scheduled monument management.
DEFRA has also confirmed plans to:
• Increase payment rates for moorland and rough grazing actions.• Trial applications on common land.
• Continue supporting complex environmental projects through Higher Tier agreements, with at least £50 million available for new agreements this year.
Who is likely to benefit?
Priority will be given to:• Existing Higher Tier and Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement holders with agreements ending in 2026 or early 2027.
• Farmers with Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier agreements containing priority habitats or scheduled monument options that are due to expire.
• Land managers with approved woodland management plans.
• Businesses introducing agroforestry.
• Farmers who have already completed preparatory work, such as feasibility studies or implementation plans.
• Holdings containing important habitats including species-rich grassland, peatland, wetlands, heathland and other high-value environmental features.
What does this mean for landowners?
For many businesses, this represents the first real opportunity to access the new Higher Tier scheme without waiting for a direct invitation. If your holding contains priority habitats or significant environmental features, now is an ideal time to review your eligibility and begin preparing for the Expression of Interest process.Whilst access is being widened, the scheme will still be rolled out in phases, with some agreement types subject to application limits and priority targeting.
If you would like to discuss whether your holding could benefit from Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, please contact your local GTH office, or email [email protected].