The Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme is being gradually rolled out throughout 2025 and 2026.
Since January, over 1,500 land managers have been invited to receive tailored pre-application advice from Natural England and the Forestry Commission. Only those who have received this advice and completed the necessary preparatory work are currently being invited to apply. As such, access to the online application system is currently by invitation only.
CSHT is available on woodland, farmland, nature-managed land, or a mix of these – including sites of specific scientific interest, commons, woodlands, and scheduled monuments.
The updated CSHT offer introduces new actions designed to support environmental outcomes and encourage agroforestry. Delivery of the scheme has been revised, with features such as quarterly payments, monthly start dates, and a streamlined online application process.
The CSHT scheme forms part of the government’s £11 billion programme to support sustainable farming and food production during this Parliament. Funding for environmental land management schemes, including CSHT, is set to increase by 150%, reaching £2 billion per year by 2029.
What’s New?
The latest version of the scheme includes:
- 132 actions and supplements including new options to protect and maintain watercourses, a new species-rich floodplain meadow action and four new agroforestry actions;
- 142 capital items to support delivery of CSHT actions;
- Rolling applications;
- Monthly agreement start dates, rather than a single, annual date;
- Quarterly payments for CSHT actions and supplements to help cash flow; and
- A simpler online application via the Rural Payments service.
Guidance and tools for applicants
The CSHT follows a new process and works differently to other schemes. Detailed guidance can be found here and replaces the version published in December 2024.
This includes the FIND tool that can be used to search for specific actions or explore options based on land types or areas of interest – such as arable, coastal, historic or water features. Each action includes optional advice to support farmers, foresters and land managers.
The Capital grant finder can be used to search for capital items and their supplements.
CSHT agreements will run for 5, 10, 15, or 20 years, depending on the actions included — with most actions set at a 5-year duration.
Capital grant plans
Applicants for woodland management or agroforestry actions under CSHT must have an approved plan from the Forestry Commission. Depending on the actions chosen, a species management plan may also be required.
Plan or feasibility study requirements are specified for each CSHT action and can be checked via the FIND tool.
Capital Grant funding is available to support the preparation of these plans. Full details are in the CSHT guidance.
Checklist
To navigate the CSHT process, here is a simple checklist to ensure the key requirements are covered:
- Wait for an invitation;
- Get pre-application advice from Natural England or the Forestry Commission;
- Check eligibility;
- Prepare any required plans;
- Select actions and capital items agreed with an adviser;
- Apply online;
- Get any necessary consents or licenses;
- Wait for an agreement from the RPA before any work starts;
- Accept the agreement offer and note the start and end dates; and
- Keep any records of evidence of work under the agreement for at least 7 years.
Next steps and future rollout
For those invited to apply, the process begins in the Rural Payments Service, where applicants can select the CSHT actions and capital items their land qualifies for – aligned with the advice previously received from their adviser.
Applications will be reviewed by Natural England or the Forestry Commission, who may request additional information such as supporting maps, quotes, or business viability details. Once approved, agreement offers will be issued through the Rural Payments Service and must be accepted before the scheme can officially begin.
For those wanting to apply but not yet eligible, work is underway to plan next phase of the rollout – including identifying further groups to invite. More information will be shared as soon as it becomes available.