Defra has just announced the re-opening of the Capital Grant scheme which has been closed since November 2024. These capital grants are for field boundaries and orchards, items that improve air or water quality and Natural Flood Management. There is funding for Woodland Management Plans and Tree Health grants along with grants to develop more complex Higher Tier agreements. There are also items linked to delivery of Sustainable Farming Incentive options including a moorland survey grant and the trees and infrastructure associated with agro-forestry. There is a maximum grant limit of:
- £25,000 for each of the water quality, air quality and natural flood management categories
- £35,000 for boundaries, trees and orchards.
You can apply for a grant in more than one category but only one application per Single Business Identifier (SBI) can be submitted per year.
Later this year, Defra will add a further four items to the Capital Grants offer including: accreditation for educational access visits, installing and maintaining signage, using tree surgery to hinge a tree into a water course, and creating or restoring ponds. More information and the guidance notes are on the following link: Capital Grants now open for applications – Farming.
If you want to apply for water quality items, we recommend contacting the Catchment Sensitive Farming Programme for advice as soon as possible by emailing a Catchment Sensitive Farming Advice Request Form to your local CSF mailbox.
