UK expands Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier access for farmers and land managers

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UK expands Countryside Stewardship access

Highlights

From summer 2026, all farmers and land managers can directly apply for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier by submitting an Expression of Interest.
At least £50 million in funding will be available for new CSHT agreements this year, including expanded woodland, agroforestry, and species-rich grassland support.
The UK government will trial applications on common land later in 2026 and maintains support for agreements expiring in 2026 or early 2027.

Direct application route opens this summer

As reported by GOV.UK, citing the UK government at Groundswell Festival 2026, farmers and land managers will be able to begin the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier application process themselves from later this summer by submitting an Expression of Interest.

Until now, access to the scheme has been limited to applicants invited by Natural England or the Forestry Commission after the programme launched last September as part of a phased rollout. The expanded access covers woodland agreements, agroforestry agreements and new single-focus agreements aimed at restoring species-rich grassland, while also supporting the conservation of scheduled monuments.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds says the revised process is intended to make the scheme simpler and easier to access, giving rural businesses more control over how they apply for funding. She also says at least £50 million will be available for new CSHT agreements this year, while Natural England continues to prioritise farmers with agreements ending or those that have already completed preparatory work needed to apply.

Funding supports wider farming and nature goals

The policy change forms part of the government's Farming Roadmap and broader effort to make environmental schemes more accessible while directing public funding to areas with the greatest environmental benefit.

It follows the reopening of the Sustainable Farming Incentive this week, which the government describes as simpler, fairer and more accessible. Demand is strong on the first day of the reopening, although the latest data shows application volumes have begun to level off and are now arriving at a steadier pace.

The government also says continued support remains in place for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier and HLS agreement holders whose agreements expire in 2026 or early 2027. Later this year, it plans to begin trialling applications on common land before a wider rollout.

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