Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier — Major Expansion Opening This Summer for North West Farmers
One of the most significant changes to English farming policy in years has just been announced — and North West farmers with important habitats, woodland, moorland, or historic features on their land need to take note.
Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) is removing its invitation-only requirement. Later this summer, farmers and land managers across England — including across Cheshire, Lancashire, and Cumbria — will be able to begin the application process without needing to be invited first.
At least £50 million will be available for new CSHT agreements this year.
What is Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier?
Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier provides funding to farmers and land managers to manage land in ways that protect, restore and enhance the environment, while helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
It is the most ambitious and best-funded tier of the Countryside Stewardship scheme — designed for farms and estates with complex environmental features that benefit from tailored, long-term support. Think ancient woodland, species-rich grassland, upland moorland, lowland peat, wetland habitats, and scheduled monuments.
Until now it has operated on an invitation-only basis since launching in autumn 2025. That barrier is being removed this summer.
What’s Changing — The New Expression of Interest Process
Later this summer a new Expression of Interest (EOI) process will open. Farmers and land managers will be able to use it to apply for:
- Woodland agreements — for farmers with an approved woodland management plan
- Agroforestry agreements — for farmers who have already planted trees under an agreed agroforestry plan
- Single-focus agreements — a new, simpler route for priority actions
Single-Focus Agreements — The New Simpler Route
This is the most accessible new development for many North West farmers. Single-focus agreements provide a quicker and simpler way to access funding for priority actions without needing to apply for a full CSHT agreement.
Initially available for two priority areas:
Species-rich grassland — including CGS22: Manage priority habitat species-rich grassland. If you have species-rich grassland on your farm — including traditional hay meadows, calcareous grassland, or neutral grassland supporting wildflowers — this is the route for you.
Scheduled monument management — including actions to take historic and archaeological features out of cultivation, reduce cultivation depths, control scrub, and manage grassland on historic features.
Up to 1,200 single-focus agreements will be available initially. A further set of single-focus agreements is planned later in the year covering wet grassland for wintering waders and wildfowl, and traditional orchard management and creation.
Priority Groups for 2026 — Are You One of Them?
Defra has identified several groups who will be prioritised for CSHT agreements in 2026/27:
Expiring agreements — If you hold a CSHT or Higher Level Stewardship agreement expiring in 2026 or early 2027, Natural England will contact you directly. If your agreement expires on 31 December 2026, or your HLS expires before 31 March 2027, expect a call from your local Natural England adviser.
CS Mid Tier agreements ending in 2026 — If you have priority habitats or scheduled monument management actions and your Mid Tier agreement ends this year, you can apply for a single-focus agreement through the EOI process.
New applicants with important habitats — Applications are also invited from farmers who want to manage, restore or create species-rich grassland or protect scheduled monuments not currently covered by agreements.
Woodland applicants — Farmers with an approved woodland management plan can register interest through the EOI when it opens. The Forestry Commission will then work with you directly.
Agroforestry applicants — CSHT supports all types of agroforestry including on more sensitive land and at higher densities. If you have an agreed agroforestry plan and have planted the trees, you can submit an EOI when the process opens.
Those who have completed preparatory work — If you’ve already worked with Natural England, the Forestry Commission or Historic England on feasibility studies or implementation plans you can apply for a full CSHT agreement now.
Increasing Payment Rates for Moorland
Good news for upland farmers in the North West — payment rates for CSHT moorland actions will increase to bring them in line with equivalent SFI actions. An updated Manage rough grazing for upland breeding waders action with an increased payment rate will also be introduced.
This is particularly significant for farmers in the Pennines, the Forest of Bowland, and the Lake District fringes where moorland and rough grazing management is a significant part of the farming system.
Common Land Applications — Coming Later This Year
Defra will also trial applications on common land later in 2026, with a phased rollout to ensure the process is robust. Further details will be shared in due course. If you manage common land in the North West this is worth watching closely.
What to Do Now
The EOI process is not yet open — but there are steps you can take right now to prepare:
Make sure you are registered with the Rural Payments Agency and your land parcels are correctly mapped. If you have woodland, ensure your woodland management plan is approved. If you’re considering agroforestry, get your agroforestry plan agreed and trees planted before submitting an EOI. If you have species-rich grassland or scheduled monuments, review the single-focus agreement actions and check whether your land qualifies.
Preparatory grants including PA1 Implementation Plans and PA2 Feasibility Studies are available all year round to help you get ready.
👉 Full CSHT guidance: gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht
👉 Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026: gov.uk/government/publications/higher-tier-capital-grants-2026
👉 Free advice from the Farming Advice Service: gov.uk/government/groups/farming-advice-service
The NW Funding Radar will update this page the moment the EOI process opens this summer.
Join our email list below to be notified immediately when the Expression of Interest process goes live — so North West farmers can get applications in early.
info@northwestfundingradar.co.uk
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