Entry Level Scheme (ELS)
Our team will assist clients with obtaining grant funding, The scheme requires a basic level of environmental management, and pays £30 per hectare, per year across the whole farm except for extensively grazed uplands. With over 50 options covering all farming types, the
agreement lasts five years with automatic payments every six months.
To the majority of landowners ELS is proving to be cost effective and in many cases, little or no land is being taken out of production. In cases where in-field options have to be considered, out team is skilled at designing schemes to suit each particular farm business
minimising disruption to current farming practices. Even in situations where there is highly productive land and financial rewards seem unlikely, options can help farmers and landowners comply with many other rules and regulations such as LERAPs.
Higher Level Scheme (HLS)
Our environmental consultants have already completed complex HLS schemes for clients worth up to £100,000 in annual payments. The HLS aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority situations and areas. Usually combined with ELS or
OELS options, HLS requires more complex environmental management advice and support.
Wide-ranging management options are targeted to support key characteristics of the English countryside. Payments relate to the options and include capital items, such as field boundary restoration. Unlike ELS and OELS, entry into the scheme is discretionary. Assessment takes into account the environmental priorities identified in the local area. HLS agreements are for ten years, with six monthly payments.
Stewardship management
Keeping up with the running of environmental scheme agreements such as Countryside Stewardship (CSS), Environmental Sensitive Area (ESA), Entry Level and Higher Level Schemes can be a struggle.
Brown & Co’s team is on hand to help, as required, by providing help from practical management tips to assistance completing paperwork.
Management plans for stewardship and compliance
We give expert advice on any of the stewardship management plans.
• Soil Management Plan – now seen as a vital tool in helping to reduce soil erosion.
• Crop Protection Management Plan – specifically addresses issues concerning pesticide use and the environment.
• Nutrient Management Plan – deals with the responsible use of plant nutrients and the possible affects on diffuse pollution.
• Manure Management Plan – often a requirement of assurance schemes and Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) compliance.
All of these plans should be updated annually and, if carried out accurately, can help clients become more efficient in regard to farming inputs.
England Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS)
We will help farmers and landowners prepare any grant application under the England Woodland Grant Scheme:
• woodland creation
• woodland management
• woodland improvement
• felling and regeneration
• woodland assessment or
• woodland planning grant applications.
Entry into the scheme is discretionary and assessment takes into account the priorities identified in the local area, which could be environmental and / or related to public access and / or related to urban communities.
