Guidance

Applicant’s guide: Capital Grants 2024

Updated 16 September 2024

Applies to England

1. Important dates

Capital Grants are open for applications all year from 3 January 2024.
You can also apply for other capital grants at any time of the year.

Capital Grants are available to a wide range of farmers and land managers, particularly those who have (or are considering applying for) a Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreement. 

2. About Capital Grants

These grants are standalone capital grants. You can use them to support and complement SFI, existing Countryside Stewardship (CS) Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Wildlife Offers, and Environmental Stewardship (ES) Higher Level Stewardship.

Applications will remain open until the funding is allocated. You can submit an application for each Single Business Identifier (SBI) that you manage.

New agreements cannot contain parcels that already have capital works which are incomplete or have not received their final payment.

2.1 Grants that are available

Capital Grants are 3-year agreements offering capital items to achieve specific environmental benefits within 4 groups:

• boundaries, trees and orchards (including the former hedgerows and boundaries grant items)
• water quality
• air quality
• natural flood management

There is no limit on either the maximum amount for any application or the amount you can apply for in each group.

If your application is successful, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will make you an agreement offer. If you accept the offer, you will enter into an agreement with the RPA.

2.2 Capital items available

There are 76 capital items available, which are listed in section 5. The Grant finder gives a description and essential requirements for each capital item.

To apply for the following capital items, you must read the Apply for a capital grants plan guidance:

• PA1: Implementation plan
• PA2: Feasibility study
• PA4: Agroforestry plan
• PA5: Moorland mapping plan

To apply for PA3: Woodland management plan, you must read the Woodland Management Plan grant guidance.

For some capital items, you can use supplementary grants. You can find the payment rates and details about using supplements also in section 5.

For capital items that help improve water and air quality, you may need approval from a Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) adviser. For items listed in Annex 2, you must have approval otherwise RPA will remove them from your application.

2.3 How RPA assesses your application if a grant is oversubscribed

RPA will publish a 6-week notice on GOV.UK if a grant is likely to be oversubscribed. They will deal with applications on a first-come-first-served basis. At the point of the 6-week notice, they will assess applications in order of priority for those providing higher environmental benefits.

2.4 What the grant cannot pay for

You cannot use a capital grant to pay for:

• any capital works done (or materials purchased) before your agreement starts
• planning application fees or other transactional fees
• agent fees or other advisory fees
• meeting legal requirements, including planning conditions and tenancy agreements
• any works on a Scheduled Monument (including any works on the boundary of these sites)
• any works on common land
• any works undertaken as part of another grant or obligation (read section 3.3)

3. Who can apply and what land is eligible

Capital Grants are open to land managers who are one of the following:

• an owner occupier
• a tenant
• a landlord
• a licensor if they have management control of the land and activities needed to meet the obligations of the grant for the full duration of the agreement

3.1 Land that is eligible

To be eligible for Capital Grants, land parcels must be entirely within England and you must have management control of the relevant parcels as set out in section 3.3.

The following land parcels may also be eligible:

• those included in any existing CS agreement or an ES Higher Level Stewardship agreement, if the same item isn’t being funded twice, there is sufficient space in the parcel, and the options and items are compatible with each other
• those subject to an English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) agreement (read section 3.4 for some exceptions)
• those included in agreements for PA1: Implementation plan, PA2: Feasibility study, PA3: Woodland management plan, a Woodland tree Health grant or PA4: Agroforestry plan (if all other eligibility criteria are met)
• those within a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) or scheduled monument, including their boundaries, but only if it is included in an existing CS or ES agreement

3.2 Land that is not eligible

The following land is not eligible for Capital Grants:

• common land or shared grazing - except items AF1: Plant an agroforestry woodland tree and AF2: Plant an agroforestry fruit tree
• land that is included in certain other schemes or under obligation (read section 3.3)
• developed land and hard standing (including permanent caravan sites and areas used for permanent storage)

3.3 Management control of land

Having management control means you’re the person actively farming the land and you’re either:

• the owner occupier
• a tenant with a Farm Business Tenancy (FBT) under the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995, or an Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 tenancy or equivalent

You must have management control of the land in an agreement for 5 years from the starting date of your agreement, or the countersignature of your landlord (see section 3.3.1).

This includes:

• all activities needed to meet the grant payment
• keeping all capital items funded through this scheme in the condition and to the specification set out in your agreement for the 5 years

If you do not meet these requirements, you must get the written consent of all other parties who have management control.

3.3.1 Tenants

If you occupy land under a tenancy, you must have:

• a tenancy agreement for at least 3 years from the start of the Capital Grants agreement (however, see the requirements for a rolling tenancy below)
• the agreement of your landlord before you apply
• a countersignature from your landlord if you do not have management control for 5 years from the start of your agreement
• control of all the activities over the land to meet the scheme requirements for the chosen capital items

It is your responsibility to check when you apply for Capital Grants that you do not breach the terms of your tenancy agreement.

If your tenancy is renewed each year on a rolling basis, you must be certain your tenancy will extend to the length of your Capital Grants agreement, or you must have a countersignature from your landlord. You must check this with your landlord before you apply.

If the landlord takes over a Capital Grants agreement from you once your tenancy has ended, they must be eligible to do so. For example, they must not be an ineligible public body.

3.3.2 Landlords

If you are a landlord and can show that you have enough management control over the land and activities, you can apply for an agreement on land you have let to a tenant.

As the Agreement Holder, you must give your tenant a copy of the Capital Grants agreement. RPA may ask you to provide evidence to show that you have done this. It is your responsibility to make sure that your tenant does not breach the terms of the agreement.

3.3.3 Partnerships

If you are in a business partnership, you can apply for Capital Grants. The person signing the application must have the appropriate permission levels in the Rural Payments service.

3.3.4 Licensors

If you are a licensor, you can apply for a Capital Grants agreement. It is your responsibility to make sure that the licensee does not breach the terms of the agreement.

You must make sure that the licensee is aware of the requirements of the agreement, as relevant to the licence, and include these in the licence agreement.

3.3.5 Licensees

Licensees are usually not eligible for Capital Grants as a licence arrangement will not provide sufficient management control of the land to the licensee for the agreement period.

If in practice your licence agreement gives you wider land management responsibilities, this may mean you are a tenant and therefore may be eligible for Capital Grants. You must show that you have sufficient management control of the land and activities to be able to apply. See section 3.3.1 for more information about Capital Grants for tenants.

3.3.6 Land owned by public bodies

Land is not eligible if it is owned or managed by:

• Crown bodies (including all government departments, executive agencies and trading funds)
• non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs)

See a list of all government departments, agencies and public bodies on GOV.UK.

Land owned by some public bodies is eligible for Capital Grants provided the work does not form part of their obligations as a public body.

This includes land owned by:

• local authorities
• national park authorities
• public corporations

Parish councils and former college farms are not considered to be public bodies and so are eligible to apply for Capital Grants.

3.3.7 Tenants of land owned by public bodies

If you are a tenant of a public body, you will need to check if the land is eligible for Capital Grants with your landlord. If it is, you must get the public body to countersign your application if you do not have a tenancy agreement for the full term of a Capital Grants agreement.

If you do have a tenancy agreement for the full term of a Capital Grants agreement, you are eligible to apply as a tenant with management control of the land. See section 3.3.1.

You cannot apply for a Capital Grant for any work that is a requirement of your tenancy or any other legally binding obligation.

3.4 Land receiving other funding

You cannot use Capital Grants to pay for any environmental management if you are already receiving:

• payment from Exchequer funds
• grant aid from any other public body

You cannot use a Capital Grants agreement to fund capital works that you:

• are required to carry out under other legally binding obligations
• are currently receiving funding from other sources
• have already received funding

You may be able to apply for a Capital Grants agreement in addition to an existing CS or ES agreement, if you follow the rules set out in section 3.4.1 (Environmental Stewardship) or 3.4.2 (Countryside Stewardship).

RPA will carry out checks to make sure that capital works are not funded twice from public money.

You must make sure that any work proposed for this grant does not breach the conditions of any other agreement.

3.4.1 Environmental Stewardship

Land parcels in Higher Level Stewardship are eligible for Capital Grants.

If you intend to apply for a Capital Grants agreement on land parcels in an existing ES agreement, you must make sure:

• there is sufficient space in the parcel
• the same capital works are not being funded twice
• the actions required in your existing agreement and your new Capital Grants agreement are compatible with each other

3.4.2 Countryside Stewardship

CS Mid Tier or CS Higher Tier

You can enter land parcels that are in an existing CS Mid Tier or CS Higher Tier agreement into a Capital Grants agreement, only if all capital works on that parcel in your CS Mid Tier or Higher Tier agreement have been fully completed and paid for.

If you have finished and been paid for your CS Mid Tier or Higher Tier capital works and want to apply for an additional Capital Grants agreement on those land parcels, you must make sure that:

• there is sufficient space in the parcel
• the same capital works are not being funded twice
• the actions required in your existing agreement and your new Capital Grants agreement are compatible

You can apply for a Capital Grants agreement on land parcels which are not in your existing CS Mid Tier or Higher Tier agreement if the new capital works do not conflict with your existing agreement.

Wildlife Offers and other capital grants

You may have a Capital Grants agreement alongside any of the following agreements:

• Higher Tier Capital Grants
• Protection and Infrastructure (all items)
• Woodland Tree Health
• PA3: Woodland management plan
• Wildlife Offers

You can apply for a Capital Grants agreement on the same land parcels as your existing capital grants or Wildlife Offer agreement if:

• there is sufficient space in the parcel
• the same capital works are not being funded twice
• the actions required in your existing agreement and your new Capital Grants agreement are compatible

You can apply for a Capital Grants agreement on land parcels which are not in your existing capital grants or Wildlife Offer agreement if the new capital works do not conflict with your existing agreement.

3.4.3 Environmental Land Management schemes

Sustainable Farming Incentive

You can apply for a Capital Grants offer on land parcels in an:

• SFI pilot standards agreement
• SFI 2023 agreement
• SFI 2024 agreement

The actions in either SFI agreement must be compatible with the works in a Capital Grant agreement. You can also apply for a Capital Grants agreement on land parcels which are not in your existing SFI agreement.

Landscape Recovery

Customers with a Capital Grants agreement can also apply for a Landscape Recovery agreement, as long as the same item isn’t being funded twice, there is sufficient space in the parcel, and the items are compatible with each other.

3.4.4 English Woodland Schemes

You can apply for Capital Grants on land parcels covered by an EWGS Woodland Planning Grant and certain capital grants (for example, WD2: Woodland improvement grant) if both of the following apply:

• this does not result in you being paid twice for the same items or activities
• the Capital Grants do not conflict with any ongoing EWGS requirements

You cannot apply for Capital Grants on land parcels covered by a multi-annual EWGS agreement, England Woodland Creation Offer, EWGS Farm Woodland Payment, Farm Woodland Premium Scheme or Farm Woodland Scheme.

3.4.5 Farming Recovery Fund

Land parcels covered by the Farming Recovery Fund are not eligible.

3.4.6 Inheritance Tax or Capital Gains Tax exemption

Capital items may be available on land designated by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as conditionally exempt from Inheritance Tax or as the object of a Maintenance Fund, depending on the specific undertakings and proposed options or capital items.

Read Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax exemption: Countryside Stewardship to find out whether capital items available under the Capital Grants are always eligible, never eligible or need checking.

3.4.7 Other schemes or grants

Capital grants cannot fund works that form part of:

• Countryside Productivity
• Growth Programme
• LEADER
• Water Environment Grant
• Farming in Protected Landscapes
• Farming Investment Fund
• Woodland Carbon Fund
• HS2 Woodland Fund
• England Woodland Creation Offer

This is not an exhaustive list.

4. How to apply for Capital Grants

This section gives the information you need to apply for Capital Grants.

4.1 Check you and your land are registered

To apply for Capital Grants, you need to register or be registered on the Rural Payments service. Use the guidance on registering and updating your details on the Rural Payments service to help you.

All land parcels listed on your application must be registered in the Rural Payments service and have a parcel reference number (in the format AA1234 5678). Check the Rural Payments service to find out if your land parcels are registered and up to date.

If your land parcels are not registered, you must submit a rural land change request to register the land.

4.1.1 Authorise an agent

You can authorise an agent to fill in and submit your application for you. This also applies to payment claim forms for Agreement Holders.

For an agent to act for you, you must give them the appropriate permission levels in the Rural Payments service. This applies even if you have previously authorised the agent using the paper agent authorisation form.

Read ‘Give someone else permission to act on your behalf ’  for more information on the different levels of permission. You should also read the information in the Permission levels screen in the Rural Payments service. This lists what is permitted at each level. You are responsible for ensuring that permissions assigned on the Rural Payments service are made correctly and that all contact details are correct.

4.2 Ways to apply

You should submit your application online if you can. If you are unable to apply online, you can apply by email or by post.

4.2.1 Apply online

You can apply online using the Rural Payments service. Use the how to complete your online Capital Grants application to help you.

If you apply online, you do not need to fill in a Capital Grants application form. However, you must send us a map and any supporting documents by email or post.

4.2.2 Apply by email or post

If you cannot apply online, you can fill in a Capital Grants application form and email or post it to us. Use the how to complete your Capital Grants application by email or post to help you.

If you email us your form, make sure that you have the appropriate permission levels and that the email address for your business is registered in the Rural Payments service.

4.3 Prepare a map to support your application

You must submit a map or maps in support of your application.

Use the how to complete your Capital Grants application by email or post to help prepare your map.

4.4 Business viability test

RPA will check all applicants against an insolvency register. If your application is not financially viable, we may not offer you an agreement.

For applications including capital expenditure of more than £50,000 in total, you must submit a statement from a registered accountant (for example, a chartered accountant or certified accountant) with your application’s supporting documents. This is to confirm that the business or SBI has the resources from trading profits, reserves or loans to carry out the work in the proposed agreement schedule.

The accountant will need to provide a letter on headed paper which confirms:

• they are a registered accountant
• they act as the accountant for the applicant or have been contracted to act on behalf of the applicant
• you as the applicant have sufficient finances to complete the capital works in your application and how these funds will be sourced (for example, savings or loan)
• their understanding of the total value of the capital works in the application

If your application includes more than £500,000 of capital items, RPA will also review 3 years of your relevant business accounts or other evidence. This is to confirm that you have the administrative, financial and operational capacity to meet the agreement requirements.

4.5 Check if you need consent to carry out capital works

You must check each capital item you are applying for to see if any consents are needed.

You will not be paid for any capitals works without the necessary consents and permissions being in place before you begin any work.

You are responsible for arranging all relevant consents, permissions, exemptions, and written advice needed for your application.

In some cases, you will not be offered an agreement if these are not in place.

4.5.1 Planning consent

Your local planning authority can give you informal advice on whether a proposal needs planning consent. Read the general guidance on planning permission for farms.

You do not need to provide evidence of whether planning permission or consent is needed with your application. However, if required, you will need to have permission or consent in place before you carry out any work, and you will need to submit evidence when you make a claim for this work.

4.5.2 Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) approval

Capital items which require CSF approval are available in High, Medium and Low Priority Areas for Water and Air Quality, and in areas to reduce flood risk.  Search Magic for more details.

If you are intending to apply for certain water quality, air quality and natural flood management capital items you must contact CSF at least 10 weeks before you intend to submit your application, or your request will not be considered.

Complete the CSF support request form and send it to CSF. CSF will only assess a request for approval if the form is complete.

Annex 2 – choose capital items to help improve water and air quality and reduce flood risk lists items that require CSF approval.

4.5.3 Sites of special scientific interest (SSSI)

You must get consent from Natural England if your application includes land in a SSSI.

4.5.4 Other consents

You may need to apply for other consents or licences if work affects:

• protected species (as defined by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981)
• a watercourse or highway

If you have protected species on your land, you must meet the requirements for their protection before carrying out any activities. For more information, read Managing wildlife on your land. If you have consent for work that affects protected species, you may need to plan around seasonal activity.

It’s important you arrange the consents well in advance.                                                                                                                                        

If the work affects priority habitats (which may not be SSSIs), you should consider the effect on these even if you do not need consent. To find out more about how to avoid harming protected area and species read Construction near protected areas and wildlife.

4.5.5 Work on trees and hedges

You may need permission for work on trees that are under a Tree Preservation Order (TPO). If this applies to you, contact your Local Authority or National Park Authority.

Find out when you may need a Forestry Commission tree felling licence.

You can fell up to 5m³ and sell up to 2m³ of timber without a felling licence each calendar quarter. If you plan to fell or sell more, you must get a felling licence before your agreement offer can be issued.

You do not need to provide evidence of any TPO permission or a felling licence with your application. If required, you will need to have the consent before you carry out any work. You will need to submit this when you make a claim for this work.

4.5.6 Other considerations

When you carry out work under the agreement, you must not:

• break byelaws
• obstruct public rights of way
• block or restrict access to ‘open access’ land
• affect oil or gas pipelines

If required, you will need to have permission or consent in place before you carry out any work. You will need to submit this evidence when you make a claim for this work.

4.6 Submit your application and supporting documents

Submit your application either:

• online
• by email or post

You must include:

• the application map
• a  land ownership and control form, if applicable
• any other supporting documents RPA ask for as detailed on the Grant finder

Use the how to complete your online Capital Grant application or how to complete your Capital Grant application by email or post guidance to help you submit your application.

RPA will only accept supporting documents, such as photos or forms, if they are either printed and sent by post or scanned and attached to an email. Emails should not be larger than 32MB. For security reasons, RPA cannot accept discs, USB pen drives or other external storage media.

4.7 How RPA check your application

RPA will check that your application:

• meets the eligibility requirements
• is complete
• includes an annotated map

If your application is successful, RPA will send you an agreement offer letter.

If you want to accept the agreement offer you must sign and return the declaration by post within 20 working days. If you do not accept your offer in time, it will be withdrawn.

You can withdraw an application at any point after submission, prior to an agreement offer being made. Once an agreement offer has been made, you cannot withdraw your application, but you can reject your agreement offer.

You can find more information about entering into an agreement in section 6.1 of the Agreement Holder’s guide.

If your application is unsuccessful, RPA will tell you why. You will then have the right to appeal to us. Read section 7.10 of the Agreement Holder’s guide.

5. Choosing capital items

A description and brief requirements for the capital items under the Capital Grants are provided in this section.

More detailed information on (and the specific requirements for) these items are available on the Grant finder.

You can select multiple items from the 4 groups. There is no limit on the maximum grant available, however your application will be assessed to ensure value for money.

5.1 Boundaries, trees and orchards items

Code	Item	Payment rate	Supplement?	CSF approval required?
AF1	Plant an agroforestry woodland tree	£5.40 per tree	N/A	No
AF2	Plant an agroforestry fruit tree	£17.83 per tree	N/A	No
AF3	Supplement: Species diversity bonus	£1.16 per tree	N/A	No
BN1	Stone-faced bank repair	£67.25 per metre (/m)	N/A	No
BN2	Stone-faced bank restoration	£163.26/m	N/A	No
BN3	Earth bank creation	£20.59/m	N/A	No
BN4	Earth bank restoration	£10.54/m	N/A	No
BN5	Hedgerow laying	£13.52/m	N/A	No
BN6	Hedgerow coppicing	£ 5.33/m	N/A	No
BN7	Hedgerow gapping-up	£17.22/m	N/A	No
BN8	Hedgerow supplement - casting up	£4.39/m	Yes, only use with BN5 and BN6	No
BN10	Hedgerow supplement - top binding and staking	£5.82/m	Yes, only use with BN5	No
BN11	Planting new hedges	£22.97/m	N/A	No
BN12	Stone wall restoration	£31.91/m	N/A	No
BN13	Top wiring - stone wall	£5.54/m	Yes, only use with BN12	No
BN14	Stone wall supplement - stone from quarry	£ 164.50/m	Yes, only use with BN12	No
FG12	Wooden field gate	£489.90 per gate	N/A	No
FG14	Badger gate	£61.81 per gate	N/A	No
TE1	Planting standard hedgerow tree	£19.06 per tree	N/A	No
TE6	Tree guard (tube and mesh)	£3.95 per guard	N/A	No
TE7	Tree guard (wood post and rail)	£109.64 per guard	N/A	No
TE8	Tree guard (wood post and wire)	£132.16 per guard	N/A	No
TE10	Coppicing bankside trees	£53.95 per tree	N/A	No
TE11	Tree surgery	£73.36 per tree when cutting limbs up to and including 20cm diameter, £146.72 per tree when cutting limbs over 20cm diameter	N/A	No
WB1	Small wildlife box	£11.95 per box	N/A	No
WB2	Medium wildlife box	£27.91 per box	N/A	No
WB3	Large wildlife box	£38.28 per box	N/A	No

You can only apply for a supplement with its associated capital item:

• BN8 – can only be used with BN5 and BN6
• BN10 – can only be used with BN5
• BN13 – can only be used with BN12
• BN14 – can only be used with BN12
• both BN13 and BN14 can be used with BN12

5.2 Water quality items

Code	Item	Payment rate	Supplement?	CSF approval required?
FG1	Fencing	£6.34 per metre (/m)	N/A	No
FG2	Sheep netting	£7.47/m	N/A	No
FG3	Permanent electric fencing	£5.66/m	N/A	No
FG4	Rabbit fencing supplement	£5.65/m	Yes (only use with FG1, FG2, FG3)	No
FG15	Water gates	£532.80/gate	N/A	No
LV3	Hard bases for livestock drinkers	£179.15/base	N/A	No
LV4	Hard bases for livestock feeders	£290.63/base	N/A	No
LV5	Pasture pumps and associated pipework	£295.90/pump	N/A	No
LV6	Ram pumps and associated pipework	£1,861/pump	N/A	No
LV7	Livestock troughs	£152.92/trough	N/A	No
LV8	Pipework associated with livestock troughs	£3.31/m	N/A	No
RP1	Resurfacing of gateways	£136.95/gateway	N/A	No
RP2	Gateway relocation	£369.59/gateway	N/A	No
RP3	Watercourse crossings	£506.44/crossing	N/A	No
RP4	Livestock and machinery hardcore tracks	£44.63/m	N/A	Yes
RP5	Cross drains	£750.26/drain	N/A	No
RP6	Installation of piped culverts in ditches	£376.23/culvert	N/A	No
RP7	Sediment ponds and traps	£11.88/m2	N/A	No
RP9	Earth banks and soil bunds	£195.61/unit	N/A	No
RP10	Silt filtration dams or seepage barriers	£198.14/unit	N/A	Yes
RP11	Swales	£7.52/m2	N/A	No
RP12	Check dams	£85.29 for each dam	N/A	No
RP13	Yard - underground drainage pipework	£2.02/m	N/A	Yes
RP14	Yard inspection pit	£200/unit	N/A	Yes
RP15	Concrete Yard Renewal	£33.64/m2	N/A	Yes
RP16	Rainwater goods	£11.55/m	N/A	No
RP17	Storage tanks underground	£441.98/m3	N/A	Yes
RP18	Above ground tanks	£73.34/m3	N/A	Yes
RP19	First flush rainwater diverters and downpipe filters	£174.59/unit	N/A	Yes
RP20	Relocation of sheep dips and pens	£3,544.71/unit	N/A	Yes
RP21	Relocation of sheep pens only	£1,772.35/unit	N/A	Yes
RP22	Sheep dip drainage aprons and sumps	£19.50/m2	N/A	Yes
RP23	Installation of livestock drinking troughs (in draining pens for freshly dipped sheep)	£152.92/unit	N/A	Yes
RP24	Lined biobed plus pesticide loading and washdown area	£119.77/m2	N/A	Yes
RP25	Lined biobed with existing washdown area	£66.24/m2	N/A	Yes
RP26	Biofilters	£2,026.14/unit	N/A	No
RP27	Sprayer or applicator load and washdown area	£35.86/m2	N/A	Yes
RP28	Roofing (sprayer washdown area, manure storage area, livestock gathering area, slurry stores, silage stores)	£72.50/m2	N/A	Yes
RP29	Self-supporting covers for slurry and anaerobic digestate stores	£29.50/m2	N/A	Yes
RP30	Floating covers for slurry and anaerobic digestate stores and lagoons	£2.75/m2	N/A	Yes
WN5	Pond management (100 square metres or less)	£282.15/pond	N/A	No
WN6	Pond management (more than 100 square metres)	£188.94/100m2	N/A	No

5.3 Air quality items

Code	Items	Payment rate	Supplement?	CSF approval required?
AQ1	Automatic slurry scraper	£2,760 per passageway/channel	N/A	Yes
AQ2	Low ammonia emission flooring for livestock buildings	£72/m2	N/A	Yes
TE4	Supply and plant a tree	£1.72/tree	N/A	Yes
TE5	Supplement for use of individual tree-shelters	£2.43/unit	Yes, only use with TE4	Yes

5.4 Natural flood management items

Code	Items	Payment rate	Supplement?	CSF approval required?
RP31	Equipment to disrupt tramlines in arable areas	£1,500 per machine	N/A	Yes
RP32	Small leaky woody dams	£461.39 for each dam	N/A	Yes
RP33	Large leaky woody dams	£764.42 for each dam	N/A	Yes

For further information on water and air quality and natural flood management items that require CSF approval, go to Annex 2.

For parcels to be included they must be registered on the Rural Payments service.  For more information on how to do this read the Make change to your rural land maps guidance.

RP32 Small leaky woody dams and RP33 Large leaky woody dams

For further information on Natural flood management items RP32: Small leaky woody dams and RP33: Large leaky woody dams, go to the Grant finder.

RP32: Small leaky wooden dam. Indicative design for 1 to 3 metres wide, leaky woody dam.

RP33: Large leaky wooden dam. Indicative design for 3 to 5 metres wide, leaky woody dam.

Annex 1: Terms and Conditions

See the CS Terms and Conditions 2024.

Annex 2: Choose capital items to help improve water and air quality, and reduce flood risk

Choosing the right capital items can help reduce the amount of water pollutant and ammonia released from your farm and reduce flood risk.

Table 2 lists the capital items to help you with this.

How to choose capital items

1. Use the statements of priorities to find the water and air objectives for your local area. If your application meets these objectives, you’ll get a higher score.
2. Use the Grant finder to help you identify the types of capital items you can use to address water and air priorities in the local area.
3. Use the MAGIC map application to find water, and air priority information for your land.
   In the Table of Contents, choose ‘Countryside Stewardship Targeting & Scoring Layers’, then ‘Water’, and then ‘Countryside Stewardship Priority Areas’.
   You can then make this layer transparent by using the slider under ‘Countryside Stewardship Targeting & Scoring Layers’.
   You will need to navigate to your land and then use the ‘Identify’ tool in the top toolbar to check the information specific to your land parcels.

When to contact CSF

Some capital items are only available with the support and approval from CSF. If you do not get approval, RPA will remove them from your application. These items are listed in table 1.

You will need to show:

• how pollutants are reaching a watercourse or underground aquifer
• where ammonia emissions are coming from
• how the proposed activity will prevent air or water pollution and how it helps to reduce flood risk while also including a suitable range of capital items

CSF will focus support and approval at farms where the largest improvements in water and air quality and reduction in flood risk are likely to be achieved. The effects of a water pollutant, flood risk or ammonia on a sensitive protected site will be considered as part of this.

In some cases, work may be needed over several years, which means you may need to submit an equivalent number of applications. You will need to agree with CSF how this work is phased.

You may also need to think about other areas of the farm to make sure that you are dealing with the pollutant(s). For example, if your work is aimed at reducing sediment, you may need to think about reducing run off from fields. You may be able to do this by getting advice from CSF 

Table 1: Items requiring CSF approval

Item code	Description
AQ1	Automatic slurry scraper
AQ2	Low ammonia emission flooring for livestock buildings
RP4	Livestock and machinery hardcore tracks
RP13	Yard – underground drainage pipework
RP14	Yard inspection pit
RP15	Concrete yard renewal
RP17	Storage tanks underground
RP18	Above ground tanks
RP19	First flush rainwater diverters and downpipe filters
RP20	Relocation of sheep dips and pens
RP21	Relocation of sheep pens only
RP22	Sheep dip drainage aprons and sumps
RP23	Installation of livestock drinking troughs (in draining pens for freshly dipped sheep)
RP24	Lined biobed plus pesticide loading and washdown area
RP25	Lined biobed with existing washdown area
RP27	Sprayer or applicator load and washdown area
RP28	Roofing (sprayer washdown area, manure storage area, livestock gathering area, slurry stores, silage stores)
RP29	Self-supporting covers for slurry and anaerobic digestate stores
RP30	Floating covers for slurry and anaerobic digestate stores and lagoons
RP31	Equipment to disrupt tramlines in arable areas
RP32	Small leaky woody dams
RP33	Large leaky woody dams
TE4	Supply and plant a tree
TE5	Supplement for use of individual tree-shelters

Table 2: Capital items that address pollutant pressures affecting water and air quality and for flood and coastal risk

Code	Water quality, air quality and flood risk issues
AQ1: Automatic slurry scraper	Ammonia – air quality
AQ2: Low ammonia emission flooring for livestock buildings	Ammonia – air quality
BN7: Hedgerow gapping-up	Ammonia – air quality Natural flood management Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
BN11: Planting new hedges	Ammonia – air quality Natural flood management Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
FG1: Fencing	Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
FG2: Sheep netting	Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
FG3: Permanent electric fencing	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Nitrate – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
FG4: Rabbit fencing supplement	Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
FG12: Wooden field gate	Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
FG15: Water gates	Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
LV3: Hard bases for livestock drinkers	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water
LV4: Hard bases for livestock feeders	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water
LV5: Pasture pumps and associated pipework	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water
LV6: Ram pumps and associated pipework	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water
LV7: Livestock troughs	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water
LV8: Pipework associated with livestock troughs	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP1: Resurfacing of gateways	Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP2: Gateway relocation	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP3: Watercourse crossings	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP4: Livestock and machinery hardcore tracks	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP5: Cross drains	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP6: Installation of piped culverts in ditches	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP7: Sediment ponds and traps	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP9: Earth banks and soil bunds	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP10: Silt filtration dams or seepage barriers	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP11: Swales	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP12: Check dams and woody debris structures	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP13: Yard – underground drainage pipework	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP14: Yard inspection pit	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP15: Concrete yard renewal	Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Nitrate – ground water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP16: Rainwater goods	Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP17: Storage tanks underground	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP18: Above ground tanks	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP19: First flush rainwater diverters and downpipe filters	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP20: Relocation of sheep dips and pens	Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water
RP21: Relocation of sheep pens only	Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water
RP22: Sheep dip drainage aprons and sumps	Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water
RP23: Installation of livestock drinking troughs (in draining pens for freshly dipped sheep)	Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water
RP24: Lined biobed plus pesticide loading and washdown area	Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water
RP25: Lined biobed with existing washdown area	Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water
RP26: Bio filters	Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water
RP27: Sprayer or applicator load and washdown area	Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water
RP28: Roofing (sprayer washdown area, manure storage area, livestock gathering area, slurry stores, silage stores)	Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP29: Self-supporting covers for slurry and anaerobic digestate stores	Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP30: Floating covers for slurry and anaerobic digestate stores and lagoons	Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP31: Equipment to disrupt tramlines in arable areas	Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
RP32: Small leaky woody dams	Natural flood management
RP33: Large leaky woody dams	Natural flood management
TE1: Planting standard hedgerow tree	Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
TE4: Supply and plant a tree	Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water
TE5: Supplement for use of individual tree-shelters	Ammonia – air quality Faecal indicator organisms – bathing water Natural flood management Nitrate – ground water Nitrate – surface water Pesticides – ground water Pesticides – surface water Phosphate and sediment – surface water

Annex 3: Contact details

Contact Rural Payments Agency (RPA)

You can contact RPA by email, phone or post.

Rural Payments Agency
PO Box 324
Worksop
S95 1DF

Email: ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk

Telephone: 03000 200 301
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm, except bank holidays
Find out about call charges

For Higher Tier only: To request pre-populated applications forms:

• use the Rural Payments service
• email or call us

Please quote your single business identifier (SBI) and agreement number in all enquiries.

Contact Natural England

You can contact Natural England by email, phone or post.

Natural England
County Hall
Spetchley Road
Worcester
WR5 2NP

Email: enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk

Telephone: 0300 060 3900
March to September: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, except bank holidays
October to February: Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm, except bank holidays
Find out about call charges

Contact other organisations

You may also need to:

• contact the Forestry Commission
• contact Historic England
• contact Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF)