Rural Grant Update – Act Now
July 2025
By Mollie Gillard, BSc Hons, MRICS, FAAV, Rural Surveyor
The agricultural industry has seen widespread concern over the opportunities for support and future income with regards to rural grant funding since the phasing out of delinked payments.
These funds are now being re-directed into Countryside Stewardship, and Environmental Land Management Schemes. The unexpected closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS) Capital Grants has caused further challenges.
Capital Grants
In February we were informed of the re-release of standalone Capital Grants, and applications are now live for the following six groups: air quality, assessments, boundaries, trees and orchards, natural flood management and water quality. They are introducing funding limits for four groups: £25,000 for water quality, air quality, and natural flood management and £35,000 for boundaries, trees and orchards.
As predicted the Capital Grants have seen a high volume of applications, and since the reopening of the scheme on 3rd July 2025, DEFRA announced on 22nd July 2025 the £150 million budget has now been over 50% allocated. DEFRA has also advised if applications are open on the application portal at the point of closure – they will not accept further applications.
Our team of experts are assisting with applications across the South West, and the high number of applications reflects the strong support for the scheme available.
Those currently in CS Capital Grant agreements can claim throughout the three-year agreement with claims (up until your final claim) being a minimum value of £500. To be able to claim, the works are to be completed, invoiced, paid and submitted together with other supporting information (photographs). This needs to take place before or within three months of the claim date – a late claim reduction will apply.
Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier
In September, the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) service will open for applications to those who have been invited to apply, have received pre-application advice and have completed any preparatory work.
Sustainable Farming Incentive
In May DEFRA announced the planned reopening of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) to those who began an application between 11th January to 11th March 2025. The invitation is not without its restrictions in that applications will have a six-week window and a maximum annual agreement value of £9,300.
So, what can GTH do for you?
The agricultural industry has seen widespread concern over the opportunities for support and future income with regards to rural grant funding since the phasing out of delinked payments.
These funds are now being re-directed into Countryside Stewardship, and Environmental Land Management Schemes. The unexpected closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS) Capital Grants has caused further challenges.
Capital Grants
In February we were informed of the re-release of standalone Capital Grants, and applications are now live for the following six groups: air quality, assessments, boundaries, trees and orchards, natural flood management and water quality. They are introducing funding limits for four groups: £25,000 for water quality, air quality, and natural flood management and £35,000 for boundaries, trees and orchards.
As predicted the Capital Grants have seen a high volume of applications, and since the reopening of the scheme on 3rd July 2025, DEFRA announced on 22nd July 2025 the £150 million budget has now been over 50% allocated. DEFRA has also advised if applications are open on the application portal at the point of closure – they will not accept further applications.
Our team of experts are assisting with applications across the South West, and the high number of applications reflects the strong support for the scheme available.
Those currently in CS Capital Grant agreements can claim throughout the three-year agreement with claims (up until your final claim) being a minimum value of £500. To be able to claim, the works are to be completed, invoiced, paid and submitted together with other supporting information (photographs). This needs to take place before or within three months of the claim date – a late claim reduction will apply.
Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier
In September, the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) service will open for applications to those who have been invited to apply, have received pre-application advice and have completed any preparatory work.
Sustainable Farming Incentive
In May DEFRA announced the planned reopening of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) to those who began an application between 11th January to 11th March 2025. The invitation is not without its restrictions in that applications will have a six-week window and a maximum annual agreement value of £9,300.
So, what can GTH do for you?
- Provide practical advice on applying options compatible with your existing and future farming practices
- Give guidance on your current agreements and integrating them to maximise opportunities without double funding risks
- Keep you informed of all agri-environmental schemes
- Manage the agreements