Guidance

Project plans of successful Facilitation Fund groups in 2024

Published 4 December 2024

Applies to England

There were 18 successful applicants for the Facilitation Fund in 2024, part of Countryside Stewardship (CS). The project plans for each group outline their priorities and objectives, and how they will use the funding to achieve them.

Cocker Farmer Group: CSFF020023

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the National Character Area (NCA) statement of priorities for NCA008 – Cumbria High Fells.

The group aims to:

• support net zero
• improve water quality and management
• improve biodiversity including priority species

Under a previous Facilitation Fund round, and supported by a farming in protected landscapes project, the group undertook some soil sampling and carried out 14 carbon audits for farms in the local area. This round of funding will continue this work to help farms move towards net zero.

The group will run talks and workshops to support farm businesses to make positive changes. At the end of the 3 years, the group will do another round of soil sampling to see what improvements have been made.

Many of the tasks involved in achieving net zero will also improve biodiversity on farms, for example, through improved hedgerow and grassland management.

To improve water quality and management, the group will focus on river restoration, prioritising Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), and wetland creation and management. This should create multiple benefits including improving carbon storage.

Group priorities

Net zero

Support the move to net zero by undertaking recommended actions from the carbon audits of individual farm businesses as well as a catchment-wide report.

Water quality

Establish buffer strips, sediment traps and erosion control to reduce phosphate and sediment in the River Cocker and improve water quality.

Flood management

Introduce natural flood management options, such as river restoration, bunds, leaky dams and ponds in Lorton and Cockermouth.

Biodiversity

Improve biodiversity in riparian habitats (located between land and a river or stream) including:

• priority rivers and lakes
• upland flushes
• fens and swamps
• blanket bog
• ancient and native woodland
• floodplain
• grazing marsh and meadows
• lowland fens
• sites of special scientific interest (SSSI)

Woodland planting and hedgerow planting

Enhance and expand existing woodlands and hedgerows in appropriate locations where planting can:

• improve biodiversity
• improve water quality
• minimise the flood risk
• reduce the impacts of climate change (‘carbon sequestration’)

Managing common land and open fell

Improve the ecology of common land and open fell.

For blanket bog, wet heath and upland mire habitats, the aim is to improve:

• flood risk management
• carbon storage
• water quality and drinking water resources
• biodiversity
• management of historic features

For wetland habitats, including mires, fens, swamps and lake shore transitional habitats, the aim is to improve:

• landscape character
• water quality
• flood risk management
• carbon storage
• biodiversity

Priority species

Support the conditions for priority species to thrive, including:

• Atlantic salmon
• European eel
• curlew
• marsh fritillary butterfly
• red squirrel

Contact

Bethany Berry-Henshaw
Email: bethany@westcumbriariverstrust.org

White Peak Farmers and Associates: CSFF050028

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for:

• NCA052 – White Peak
• NCA053 – South West Peak
• NCA064 – Potteries and Churnet Valley
• NCA 068 – Needwood and South Derbyshire Claylands
• NCA050 – Derbyshire Peak Fringe and Lower Derwent

The group aims to:

• inspire cooperation, closer working and positive relationships between farmers, land managers and others active in farming and conservation
• provide opportunities for knowledge exchange and mutual learning to increase understanding of farming and environmental issues, including with the general public
• inform land managers of emerging concepts and new technologies that will support their farms

The group will help land managers to join up and improve planning and management of:

• priority habitats and species
• other priority issues, including climate change, water quality and water management

It will support them to:

• introduce actions to improve outcomes for priority habitats and species
• monitor and evidence outcomes
• develop a collaborative map

The group will also help land managers to access new funding or income streams that support sustainable land management.

It will identify new business or market opportunities that incentivise more sustainable or agro-ecological farming and food production and lead to more resilient farm businesses.

Group priorities

The group will focus on:

• recovering nature for priority habitats and species
• contributing to goals for net zero
• adapting to climate change
• improving the health of the water environment and soils
• protecting historically important features

The group will use CS grants and other funding to:

• create more high-quality, species-rich, and other semi-natural grasslands - including lowland meadow, lowland calcareous grassland, purple moor-grass and rush pasture, and floodplain grazing marsh
• enhance wooded habitats such as wood pasture, parkland, and ancient and native woodlands, by planting and improving hedgerows and trees, improving resilience against diseases and other threats and supporting associated species (marsh tits, willow tits, pied flycatchers and spotted flycatchers)
• restore and maintain SSSI including the Hamps and Manifold Valleys and reduce the fragmentation of SSSI in the wider landscape
• identify opportunities to create more wet features – including flushes, fens, swamps and ponds – that will support humus-forming conditions or soils that better sequester carbon, and benefit priority wading birds including redshank, lapwing, snipe and curlew
• reduce reliance on fertilisers and improve slurry and manure management - resulting in reduced phosphate levels, soil erosion and sediments in the Upper Dove and Lower Derwent catchments
• continue to support wild pollinators and farm wildlife
• consider the role of air pollution and how to tackle ammonia emissions to reduce impacts on priority habitats and SSSI
• promote the maintenance and protection of historic and archaeological features including historic buildings, ridge and furrow and other earthworks

Contact

Ann Cantrell
Email: ann@farmercology.co.uk

Ape Dale Farmers’ Group: CSFF060027

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for NCA065 Shropshire Hills.

Soil health

Increase the use of soil testing to improve soil management and health.

Water quality

Improve the use of land and farmyard manure and slurry management, to reduce pollution of water courses. This includes management of storm-related rains.

Biodiversity gain

Identify and implement improved farm management for priority habitats, based on specialist advice.

Regenerative farming

Develop knowledge and skills to support regenerative farming.

Nature Recovery Networks

Explore opportunities to develop local Nature Recovery Networks.

Group priorities

The group will focus on exploring and delivering benefits for nature. It will:

• expand broadleaved woodland, linking where possible to Wenlock Edge
• restore and create new wetlands and other interventions that slow the flow of water
• restore and create species-rich lowland meadows
• restore and improve hedgerows, ditches, trees and field margins
• support pollinators and insects, in particular at Ape Dale, which is renowned for apiaries and honey production at Buildwas Abbey

For these activities, the group will:

• source specialist advice from Shropshire Wildlife Trust, the National Trust’s Stepping Stones project and the Shropshire Hills National Landscape team
• explore opportunities to develop Nature Recovery Networks

Contact

Rebecca Greenhalgh
Email: rebeccagreenhalgh1975@gmail.com

The Calmsden Cluster: CSFF060028

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for NCA107 – Cotswolds.

The group aims to create a farm cluster in the central Cotswolds, where members work together to share learning and collaborate to make significant environmental improvements.

It will:

• improve water quality in the rivers Coln and Churn
• improve nutrient management to reduce diffuse pollution
• support soil testing and analysis to support nutrient management
• deliver baseline carbon assessments and good soil management practices to improve soil health
• support nature’s recovery by enhancing hedges, arable margins, flower rich margins, and habitats for wild pollinators and farmland birds
• assess farmland birds, pollinators, hedgerows and existing habitats to create a baseline of evidence

Group priorities

The priority habitats of interest to the group are:

• lowland calcareous grassland (LCG)
• lowland meadows
• arable field margins
• wood pasture and parkland with veteran trees
• riparian habitats associated with the Upper Thames catchment

The priority species of interest to the group are:

• corn bunting
• lapwing
• turtle dove
• juniper
• Duke of Burgundy butterfly
• farmland birds, including grey partridge

Water priorities include to:

• reduce phosphate pollution, and the amount and rate of surface water runoff and soil erosion
• enhance and create riverside grassland habitats with trees

Landscape priorities include:

• permanent grassland
• hedgerows
• hedgerow trees
• bankside trees

The group will focus on LCG and lowland meadows restoration and creation methods including exchanges of local flower seeds. Group members will share good practice.

Contact

Timothy Bevan
Email: tim.bevan@gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk

Aqualate Mere Catchment Group: CSFF060029

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for NCA061 – Shropshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire Plain.

The group aims to develop a shared understanding of the main effects from land management on Aqualate Mere and the surrounding area.

It will:

• use data gathered through monitoring and surveying to reduce soil erosion and sedimentation of the mere and its tributaries
• develop and share knowledge of techniques to positively impact biodiversity, air quality, ground and surface water quality and hydrology, using a landscape-scale approach
• seek to understand water movement and storage throughout the catchment and the measures the group can take to collectively manage water and reduce flood risk
• explore carbon emissions, storage and capacity to align with net zero objectives
• explore opportunities for farmers to enter nature markets, such as biodiversity net gain, nutrient neutrality, and carbon capture, including how private finance can be blended with existing schemes

Group priorities

The Meres and Mosses catchment is affected by phosphate, sediment and nitrate. Heavy rainfall has exacerbated soil erosion and loss of topsoil, which impacts both farm productivity and nutrient pollution and sedimentation.

By developing group knowledge and identifying remedial actions, the group will deliver measures to control the source and movement of potential pollutants and reduce surface water runoff and soil erosion.

Measures could include:

• restoring wet woodland and rivers
• creating low intensity grassland and wetland habitats

This will also benefit carbon storage, water quality, biodiversity, water resources, landscape character and management of historic features.

Water management interventions delivered by the group will:

• have a positive impact on Aqualate Mere, a SSSI and Ramsar designated site
• bring benefits downstream through the Meese, which then runs on to the Tern and River Severn

The group will also focus on enhancing habitats for the following priority species:

• lapwing
• curlew
• snipe
• redshank
• tree sparrow
• turtle dove
• grey partridge
• yellow wagtail
• corn bunting
• eels, present at the site but critically endangered
• water vole, present at the site but critically endangered

The land managed by group members is contiguous, which will help to ensure connectivity for priority habitats and consistency in water quality improvements and flood management.

Contact

Marina Behnke
Email: marina@aqualate.com

Upper Teme Farm Cluster Group: CSFF060030

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for NCA098 – Clun and North West Herefordshire Hills.

The group aims to:

• develop a shared understanding of the main effects from land management on Aqualate Mere and the surrounding area.
• develop and implement landowner-endorsed floodplain habitat opportunities to support recovery of the River Teme SSSI

The group will adopt a bottom-up approach to create a floodplain restoration and riparian corridor opportunity map to recover the River Teme SSSI.

It aims to increase inward investment for ecological diversification in the Upper Teme valley. This will be achieved by:

• improving knowledge of natural investment markets and supporting the group to attract private investment
• unlocking charitable trust funding opportunities available through the Severn Rivers Trust
• supporting the transition to environmental land management (ELM) schemes

The group will also explore mainstream soil husbandry best practices to reduce soil erosion and add further nutrification of the River Teme.

Group priorities

Biodiversity and priority species

The group will protect riparian habitat along the River Teme SSSI from overgrazing and cultivation and seek to establish a contiguous riparian corridor, to:

• improve habitat connectivity
• reduce soil erosion
• intercept floodwaters

The group will also prioritise other habitat features including:

• floodplain grazing marsh
• lowland meadow
• upland flushes

It will improve management by:

• tackling knowledge gaps
• supporting farm businesses with CS option selection
• sourcing funding for habitat creation

Priority species expected to benefit from this work include:

• lapwing
• willow tit
• Atlantic salmon
• sea trout

Woodland and landscape

The group will address issues of livestock damage in priority dingle woodlands through:

• the provision of alternative stock sheltering
• securing funding for livestock exclusion

The group will also:

• incorporate planting new woodland into the riparian corridor ambition, to accelerate river cooling and contribute to net zero objectives
• enhance woodland connectivity through the restoration of traditional, species-rich hedgerows

Water quality and flooding risk management

Soil erosion, sedimentation and phosphate deposition all influence the condition of the Teme SSSI. The group will share soil health expertise and soil husbandry best practice to reduce nutrification and increase soils resilience to flooding by:

• establishing demonstration plots
• delivering training
• setting up machinery rings

Contact

Duncan Gray
Email: Duncan.gray@severnriverstrust.com

East Cambridge Farmers: CSFF070022

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for NCA087 – East Anglian Chalk.

The group aims to:

• protect and enhance priority habitats
• assess farmland birds, pollinators and flora
• improve water quality and air quality
• prepare for emerging markets and assess how to maintain profitable, rural businesses, while promoting biodiversity
• assess and monitor soil health to sequester carbon, improve soil health and reduce reliance on artificial nitrogen and other inputs
• maintain and restore chalk grasslands, chalk streams and riparian habitats as well as other habitats in the group area
• restore and maintain local SSSI

It will do this by:

• sharing ideas, science and technology to assist farming and land ownership
• delivering shared learning, farm visits, talks and training
• securing funding to help implement change, and build sustainable, integrated farm businesses
• mapping farm habitats through digital mapping with the group

Group priorities

The area covered by the group is East Anglian Chalk. There are 7 SSSI.

The group’s priority habitats include:

• lowland calcareous grassland
• arable field margins
• scrub
• fen
• lowland meadows
• the riparian habitat along the Granta and chalk streams

Opportunities exist to create:

• extensions to chalk grasslands
• a bigger and better linked network across the landscape

For example, small linear sites at Fleam Dyke and Roman Road are impractical to graze on their own. Extending grassland onto adjacent farmland will enable the development of a grazing regime and increase biodiversity. Grassland restoration will improve water recharges to the chalk aquifer.

The group will manage arable field margins as a mix of tussocky, wild bird seed-rich or wildflower-rich habitat, linked across the landscape. It will also identify and manage margins containing arable plants.

Scrub area will be maintained especially on land where turtle dove records exist. The group will use funding from the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) to support habitat delivery.

The group will create new native woodland and maintain older woods. It will restore and manage hedgerows to provide nesting, feeding and shelter opportunities for wildlife.

The group will protect historic features and support habitat creation with multiple environmental benefits, including improving water and air quality.

The area is known to sustain many rare and endangered species including:

• turtle dove
• lapwing
• corn bunting (recorded on group member farms)

These species and invertebrates will be prioritised when creating and restoring habitats.

Contact

Helen Bailey
Email: helen.bailey@wildlifebcn.org

Waveney-Hundred Farming Group: CSFF080008

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for:

• NCA080 – The Broads
• NCA082 – Suffolk Coast and Heaths
• NCA083 – South Norfolk and High Suffolk Claylands

The group aims to:

• raise awareness and promote adoption of low carbon practices that have soil health benefits
• work with soils, rotation and land management to reduce risk of sediment runoff
• identify and promote nature-based solutions to water management
• improve handling, application and storage of manure and fertiliser to reduce potential ammonia loss
• raise awareness and adopt new technologies, practices and techniques to improve air and water quality
• promote wider understanding within the public of the range of food crops grown across members’ holdings
• improve hedgerow condition, woodland health and level of tree canopy, and control pests
• increase biodiversity and deliver fully functioning eco-systems
• create natural capital and potential habitat connectivity maps

It will also:

• identify opportunities to improve business resilience
• deliver group outcomes that go beyond individuals’ actions
• participate in events, workshops and meetings aimed at delivering group aims
• align with CS scheme aims

Group priorities

The group has different priorities for each NCA it is aligned with.

NCA080 – The Broads

The group will maintain, enlarge or restore (where appropriate) priority habitats including:

• coastal floodplain
• grazing marsh
• lowland fen
• reedbeds
• ancient and native woodland
• riparian habitats

Where possible it will reduce habitat fragmentation.

The group will support flood and coastal risk management and maintain or restore SSSI habitats.

For priority species, it will manage habitats for:

• lapwing
• redshank
• turtle dove

It will also address threats from overgrazing by deer to benefit:

• marsh tit
• spotted flycatcher
• lesser redpoll
• hawfinch

The group will increase floral diversity of grassland.

Finally, it will strengthen landscape character by:

• restoring hedgerows
• planting bankside trees
• maintaining significant riparian buffers

NCA082 – Suffolk Coast and Heaths

The group will maintain, enlarge or restore (where appropriate) priority habitats including:

• coastal floodplain
• grazing marsh
• coastal vegetated shingle
• lowland fen
• reedbed
• saline lagoons
• ancient and native woodland
• arable field margins

It will maintain SSSI and reduce the effects of diffuse pollution.

It will manage habitats for:

• lapwing
• stone curlew
• turtle dove
• redshank

It will also support habitats for woodland bird assemblage, where a variety of woodland bird species are found.

On water quality and management, the group will:

• reduce nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment in Waveney and Blyth catchments
• reduce diffuse pollution and surface and runoff in the Wrentham watercourse and slow water movement onto floodplains
• plan coastal re-alignment where appropriate, including increasing levels of low intensity grassland and buffer strips in the Wrentham watercourse catchment

NCA083 – South Norfolk and High Suffolk Claylands

The group will reduce sediment and rate of surface runoff of phosphorus and nitrogen to Waveney, Wang, Blyth, and Barnby Broad and Marshes SSSI.

It will maintain, enlarge or restore (where appropriate) priority habitats including:

• coastal floodplain and grazing marsh
• lowland fen
• ancient and native woodland
• wood pasture and parkland with veteran trees
• arable field margins

For priority species, it will manage habitats for:

• lapwing
• turtle dove
• great crested newt
• shepherd’s needle

Contact

Tim Schofield
Email: tandjschofield@hotmail.com

Northern Broads Cluster Group: CSFF0890009

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for:

• NCA079 – North East Norfolk and Flegg
• NCA080 – The Broads

The group aims to:

• improve soil health by reducing tillage and keeping the ground covered most of the time to sustain a healthy, functioning soil microbiome
• reduce fertiliser and agri-chemical use
• explore peatland management practices including rewetting and growing alternative crops like bullrushes, reed and sedge
• create hedgerows, woodlands and explore other agroforestry options
• create or maintain habitats (or both) for farmland and wetland birds
• explore carbon markets and map how these could be used by the group, for example, creating carbon credits
• work together and build resilience against the changing landscape of farming

Group priorities

The group’s priorities on net zero are to:

• reduce on-farm carbon emissions through a transition to regenerative farming – reducing tillage, direct drilling, cover cropping and reducing artificial inputs
• support soil health by improving soil microbiome through reduction of fertiliser and agri-chemical use
• work with the Broads Authority to review farmer attitudes towards peatland management, and if appropriate, restore and maintain peatland
• plant hedgerows and woodland and create new agroforestry systems - this work will be underpinned by Norfolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, a delivery partner of Norfolk County Council for the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) scheme
• create new wetlands
• improve management of reedbeds and sedge beds

The group’s priorities to increase biodiversity are to:

• collaborate across individual farms’ agri-environment schemes to coordinate planting of hedgerows, grass margins and flower plots, and create better links for habitats used by insects, birds and small mammals
• create or improve habitats for breeding and overwintering waders
• protect, buffer and reconnect woodlands strengthening nationally significant woodland bird assemblages
• create cultivated fallows
• create habitat for swallowtail
• support habitats for otter and bittern
• create or maintain habitat for farmland birds, including the corn bunting, grey partridge, turtle dove

Contact

Marta Gibbons
Email: marta@norfolkfwag.co.uk

New Forest Southern Farm Cluster: CSFF090028

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for NCA131 – New Forest.

To support net zero, the group will learn to reduce land-based carbon emissions and remove emissions from the atmosphere.

It will learn and share best practice management for soil carbon, including building organic matter, and improving soil structure and condition.

To support cleaner waters, the group will reduce nutrient and sediment runoff from farmyards and farmland into the New Forest river catchments and the Solent.

It will look to increase understanding of biodiversity across the group area and identify opportunities for creating habitat corridors that link important habitats.

It will improve woodland and hedgerow networks for woodland birds such as the lesser spotted woodpecker and hawfinch, as well as key CS species, such as the nightjar and Bechstein’s bat.

The group will create and restore lowland meadows and arable margins for insect pollinators and barn owl. It will also improve wetlands for breeding waders, including restoring and creating ponds and new wetlands.

Finally, it will seek opportunities for collaborative funding applications to improve farming resilience and environmental outcomes.

Group priorities

Net zero

The group aspires to net zero delivered through better informed land management and shared learning.

Air quality

The group will promote practices to reduce nitrogen fertiliser use in the area to help reduce ammonia emissions from agriculture. 

Biodiversity

The group will promote best practice management, creation, restoration and improved connectivity of CS habitats, including:

• ancient and native woodlands
• wood pasture and veteran trees
• lowland meadows
• wet woodland
• arable margins
• coastal and floodplain grazing marsh
• saline lagoons
• lowland fens
• ponds, rivers and streams

Priority species

In line with CS priority species, the group will:

• improve woodland management for priority woodland bird assemblage (specifically lesser spotted woodpecker, spotted flycatcher, marsh tit, and hawfinch) and Bechstein’s bat
• improve management of meadows, grazing marshes and saline lagoons for breeding wader assemblage (such as wintering curlew and lapwing) as well as greenweed flat-body moth
• introduce lowland heathland management that will benefit shoulder-striped clover, as well as nightjar, woodlark, Dartford warbler and potentially pennyroyal
• create and restore wetland habitats and ponds, benefiting several priority species

It will also look at other conservation efforts to support:

• great crested newt
• otter
• pine marten
• toad
• hare
• European eel
• brook lamprey
• southern damselfly
• medicinal leach
• Hampshire purslane
• pillwort fern
• barn owl

Water management

The group will improve soil and runoff management to reduce nitrate, phosphate and sediment in the New Forest catchment and Solent and Southampton Water.

Landscape priorities

The group will restore hedgerows, native woodlands and permanent grassland to enhance the mixed pastoral, woodland, arable and coastal landscape.

Contact

Rhys Morgan
Email: rhys.morgan@nflandadvice.org.uk

CSFF090029 Ray Farmer Cluster

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for:

• NCA108 – Upper Thames Clay Vales
• NCA109 – Midvale Ridge

The group aims to:

• further the extent and connectivity of habitats, including floodplain grazing marsh and species-rich meadows, ponds, wet grassland and freshwater features, hedgerows and field margins, woodland and scrub
• make a positive contribution towards net zero targets
• share knowledge and understanding and support adoption of regenerative farming principles to improve the health of soil, air and water
• investigate the creation of products that would support local markets, for example, venison resulting from deer management
• investigate the possibilities of green finance and payments that support natural capital
• engage with local communities to raise farmers’ profile with regards to food production and protecting the environment

Group priorities

The group’s priorities are to:

• improve water quality, particularly focusing on nitrates and sediment parameters in the Upper Thames catchment, and phosphate and pesticides in Cherwell and Thame
• support the move towards net zero by introducing training on soil carbon preservation, such as cover cropping and low disturbance cultivation, and encouraging tree and hedge planting in appropriate locations
• maintain, enlarge or join up existing priority habitats to improve connectivity and support priority species, particularly brown hairstreak, Bechstein’s bat, and breeding waders such as lapwing, redshank, curlew and snipe
• seek out natural flood management opportunities to ‘slow the flow’ of water, reduce soil erosion and minimise surface water runoff
• plant new trees and hedges to improve biodiversity and water quality and reduce flood risk
• explore opportunities for deer management
• create dedicated areas for wild pollinators and increase benefits for farmland birds, for example, through supplementary feeding, sowing nectar and winter bird food mixes, and increasing flowers within grassland
• maintain and preserve historic features, for example, through arable reversion and changes in cultivation practice

Contact

Chloe Timberlake
Email: chloe.timberlake@ceresrural.co.uk

The Clumps Farmer Cluster: CSFF090030

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for:

• NCA108 - Upper Thames Clay Vales
• NCA109 - Midvale Ridge
• NCA110 - Chilterns
• NCA116 - Berkshire and Marlborough Downs

The group aims to:

• develop a strong working relationship between members and the facilitator to ensure that the group is sustainable and other objectives are met
• monitor and map priority habitats and species to inform management decisions and the success of the group’s actions
• create, enhance and connect habitat for farmland birds, pollinators and natural pest predators
• improve soil health and management to increase carbon sequestration and improve food production
• enhance the River Thames for the benefit of people and wildlife
• engage communities to promote sustainable farming, and educate them on the importance of the farmed landscape for nature protection and food production
• become a collective voice for farmers and landowners within councils and government

Group priorities

The River Thames corridor creates a collective focus for the group, starting south of Sandford on Thames to North Stoke and Cholsey. The group’s priorities are to:

• restore and maintain grasslands and riparian habitats to support priority species (for example, the lapwing, snipe and grassland flora) and create natural flood management that improves river water quality
• establish and maintain hedgerows and field margins to create corridors and increase habitats for farmland birds, for example, the yellowhammer, pollinators and other priority species
• develop a farmland bird action plan to inform management decisions and identify appropriate locations for sowing winter seed mixes, supplementary feeding and management of water sources like ponds
• use soil workshops and assessments to inform land management, increase carbon sequestration and reduce the need for artificial inputs, resulting in less runoff in water courses
• maintain habitats and promote good practice, such as upholding the Countryside Code, to ensure that The River Thames and the Thames Path can be enjoyed by the public for generations to come
• deliver public engagement around the Thames corridor through interpretation boards and events

Contact

Sophie Cunnington
Email: sophie@wildoxfordshire.org.uk

Cherwell Farmers Cluster: CSFF090032

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for NCA107 – Cotswolds. There is also some overlap with NCA095 – Northamptonshire Uplands statement of priorities.

The group aims to:

• improve soil health for optimal, sustainable food production by building soil carbon, reducing inputs, minimising leaching and introducing more diverse and resilient cropping
• map, create, enhance and link CS priority habitats, focusing on species-rich grassland, wetland and pond, watercourse, tree planting, field boundaries, and other key pollinator and bird habitats
• support entrepreneurial thinking, especially in food systems
• access private investment and public funding opportunities linked with government priorities, for example, carbon markets, biodiversity net gain, environmental land management schemes, transition funding, natural capital, offsetting, and natural flood management investment
• evaluate landscape and farm outcomes and outputs, implementing consistent measurement, soil metrics, biodiversity surveys and benchmarking
• foster community engagement and outreach, particularly on health, access and education

Group priorities

The group will look to join up wetlands and natural flood management features including:

• swales
• sediment ponds and traps
• in stream woody debris
• buffer strips
• in-field grass strips
• riparian management strips
• erosion and runoff control through enhanced maize management and hedgerow restoration

It will also:

• create and expand areas of wetland habitat including water meadows, wet pastures and riparian woodland
• reduce the amount and rate of surface water runoff, reduce soil erosion, slow the movement of floodwaters on floodplains

On soil health, the group will look at:

• nutrients from fertilisers, manures and organic materials
• sediment from soil erosion and runoff
• pesticides use and disposal

It will explore low input grassland meadows and pasture-fed meat production, particularly for lowland calcareous grassland, lowland meadows, wood pasture and parkland with veteran trees.

It will also expand woodland cover and agroforestry, focusing on protected woodland, woodland habitats and priority species, as well as restoring ancient woodland sites.

Finally, the group will support wading bird habitats, notably lapwing, curlew and snipe.

Contact

Timothy Field
Email: fieldtim@hotmail.com

Farmers of the Upper Frome Hooke and Wraxall: CSFF100027

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for:

• NCA134 – Dorset Downs and Cranborne Chase
• NCA139 – Marshwood and Powerstock Vales

The group aims to:

• increase understanding and uptake of environmental land management schemes
• support farm systems so they are more resilient to climate change
• share ideas and advice on farming
• understand new emerging carbon offsetting and nature markets
• connect farmers and landowners with the environment and each other
• seek further funding for the group

Group priorities

Air quality

The group will seek advice on how to apply waste or manure to land to maximise nutrient content and minimise air pollution.

It will also seek advice on livestock nutrition and how to access government grants to help with storage and application of manure and slurry.

Net zero

Adopt low carbon farming practices, including nutrient management planning and regenerative principles.

Priority species

Link and restore habitats for:

• lesser horseshoe bat
• marsh fritillary barn owl
• great crested newt
• woodland birds, including lesser spotted woodpecker, marsh tit and spotted flycatcher

Biodiversity

The group will manage, expand and link woodlands, hedgerows, acid grassland, chalk grasslands and neutral meadows. It will also look to increase ‘in field’ and hedgerow trees.

The group will identify and restore riparian corridors, wetlands and woodlands for ecosystem services and explore potential access to offsetting markets. Chalk streams will be enhanced.

Water management

The group will:

• reduce flood risk via strategic woodland planting and wetland creation by working with the Environment Agency
• reduce runoff and diffuse pollution by identifying high risk areas and implementing interventions
• introduce natural flood management techniques by working with existing initiatives and finding other appropriate locations

Beaver management

The group will visit the licenced beaver enclosure in the cluster to learn about beaver ecology and overall ecosystem benefits.

It will work to build a beaver-ready landscape via tree planting.

Contact

Emily Newton
Email: enewton@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Purbeck Farmer Group: CSFF100028

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for:

• NCA135 – Dorset Heaths
• NCA136 – South Purbeck

For water quality, the group aims to:

• improve water quality by reducing nutrient levels in Poole Harbour and the coast
• monitor water and nutrients in the wider catchment of the Corfe River and Swan Brook
• slow the flow of water and nutrients from farmland to the water environment

For priority habitats, it aims to:

• create priority grasslands, woodlands, heaths and wetlands and strengthen the connectivity and transition between protected sites in Purbeck
• monitor and moderate the effect of non-native sika deer on NCA habitats, ancient and native woodland, wood pasture and veteran trees

For priority species, it aims to implement habitat management for:

• Bechstein’s bat
• grey long-eared bat
• greater horseshoe bat
• small pearl bordered fritillary
• Lulworth skipper
• southern damselfly
• corn bunting
• other migratory birds

It will also look to:

• link existing woodland networks
• reduce and intercept diffuse pollution
• increase infiltration
• reduce erosion
• slow overland flow of water

Group priorities

The group’s priorities mirror its objectives.

To improve water quality, the group will look to:

• reduce phosphate and nitrate levels in the Poole Harbour catchment
• reduce faecal bacteria and pesticides in the water that affect shellfish waters and marine life

To support priority habitats, it will:

• create, manage and restore lowland calcareous grassland and lowland acidic grassland to strengthen the network within the cluster
• create and manage lowland meadow, acid and calcareous grassland and wood pasture
• monitor the condition of maritime cliff and slope habitat, along with ancient and native woodland, wood pasture and veteran trees
• create and manage habitat for farm wildlife

To support priority species, it will increase understanding and implement habitat management for target species including grey long-eared bat, greater horseshoe bat, and corn bunting.

On woodland management, it will introduce planting to buffer and link existing woodlands within priority woodland habitat networks, to do one or more of the following:

• reduce and intercept diffuse pollution from agriculture
• increase infiltration
• reduce erosion
• slow the flow of floodwater

The historic environment and landscape character are important considerations in the area too. The group will consider these in line with other topics to achieve added benefits, such as:

• creating woodland to reduce and intercept runoff
• reducing arable cultivation on monuments
• ensuring options are located sympathetically in the landscape

Contact

Nicola Hopkins
Email: nicola.hopkins@fwagsw.org.uk

Teign Valley Facilitation Fund: CSFF110032

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for:

• NCA148 – Devon Redlands
• NCA149 – The Culm
• NCA150 – Dartmoor
• NCA151 – South Devon

The group aims to build a collaborative community of landowners across the Teign Valley and its wider area that work together to:

• reduce flooding
• support biodiversity
• provide habitats for priority species
• contribute to tackling the climate emergency

It will:

• work together to restore, create and maintain habitat for priority species including brown hairstreak butterfly, greater horseshoe bat and salmon
• foster and encourage land management practices that reduce flooding and water runoff
• support regenerative agricultural practices, including hedgerow management, which will benefit biodiversity
• build common responses to woodland management and coordinated pest control
• better respond to future ecological challenges through improved information-sharing, mutual support and collaboration across the group

Group priorities

The group has the following priorities.

Biodiversity

Restore, create and maintain priority habitats including:

• hay meadows
• ancient and native woodland
• orchards
• riparian habitats alongside rivers and reservoirs
• hedgerow networks and corridors

The group will specifically target habitat creation, restoration and surveying for 2 priority species – the brown hairstreak butterfly and greater horseshoe bat – while also targeting habitat improvement for salmon.

Water quality

Establish new wetland habitat within sub-catchments of the Teign where this will:

• reduce rates of surface runoff into watercourses
• improve water quality
• enhance biodiversity and landscape character
• support flood risk management

Woodland

The group will:

• buffer and link existing native woodland
• coordinate pest control within the woodlands, targeting deer and grey squirrel

These activities will:

• improve the woods for biodiversity
• allow saplings to develop
• increase flood resilience and water quality in the catchment
• increase carbon stored in the landscape

Landscape

Maintain and restore local character features such as stone wall banks, earth banks, hedgerow trees and sunken land hedgerows.

Climate change

Aspire to net zero or better and deliver this by adopting informed land management practices and technological advancements.

Contact

Elliott Fairs
Email: fairselliott@hotmail.com

North East Kent Cluster: CSFF120020

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for NCA113 – North Kent Plain.

The group aims to:

• maintain the historic character and long-term tradition of a farmed landscape
• improve air, soil and water quality by using a joined up and coordinated approach to wildlife conservation across the landscape
• develop and extend wildlife networks in the North Kent Plain NCA
• identify actions and improve management practices to join up habitats and create wildlife corridors
• restore priority habitats (including but are not restricted to arable margins, grasslands, traditional orchards and coastal and floodplain grazing) for the benefit of target farmland birds, invertebrate and botanical species
• improve soil health and water quality through promotion of good agricultural practices, regenerative farming principles and in-field monitoring
• identify opportunities to become drought or flood resilient
• build organic matter and soil biology and improve air quality by reducing farm emissions and improving efficient use and storage of fertilisers
• build confidence and embed practices to help farming businesses deliver a whole-farm approach

Group priorities

The group has the following priorities.

Soils and water

The project area includes tributaries to the River Stour leading to designated sites as well as historic and dew ponds. The group’s priorities will be to:

• protect surface and ground water through buffers and implement good soil health practices, such as precision farming techniques, best practice management and soil management plans, supported by Catchment Sensitive Farming
• restore ponds through cover cropping, buffer margins and riparian tree planting and management
• improve natural flood management via slowing and capturing water, reducing flood risk and water resilience

Air quality

The group’s priorities are to:

• implement best practice fertiliser storage and application, identify pollution sources and put mitigation in place, for example, tree planting
• increase knowledge of farm emissions and how to reduce them
• raise awareness of the impact to vulnerable habitats

Habitats

The group’s priorities are to restore, expand and connect:

• lowland meadows
• floodplain grazing
• parkland with veteran trees
• ancient and native woodland
• riparian habitats associated with priority rivers and lakes
• arable field margins

It will consider adopting the CS Farm Wildlife Package habitat delivery across the farm area.

It will take action to conserve priority species including:

• corn bunting
• lapwing
• turtle dove
• heath fritillary
• white spotted sable
• beautiful pearl moth
• Fisher’s estuarine moth
• bright wave
• straw belle
• liquorice piercer
• fiery clearwing
• Deptford pink
• natterjack toad
• Chlorita Viridula (leafhopper)
• carline thistle leafhopper
• grass-poly
• noble chafer
• shrill carder bee

The group will also:

• restore, monitor or manage habitat to increase diversity and abundance
• protect and buffer SSSI designated sites from farm operations

Contact

Debbie Reynolds
Email: debbie.reynolds@fwagsoutheast.co.uk

East Stour Farm Cluster: CSFF120021

Group objectives

The agreed objectives of the group are in line with the NCA statement of priorities for:

• NCA 119 – North Downs
• NCA 120 – Wealden Greensand
• NCA 121 – Low Weald

The group aims to:

• coordinate actions to protect, restore and enhance sense of place in in the wider river catchment of East Stour
• maximise opportunities to improve biodiversity, air, soil and water

It will expand on the cluster funded under farming in protected landscapes.

It will:

• initiate a joined-up approach to water quality, considering floodplain connection and hydrological flow regimes, in a region that’s under significant, growing pressure from new housing developments
• protect and support a sustainable but productive pastoral landscape, focusing on expanding and connecting semi-natural and priority habitats, monitoring beaver activity, regulating soil health and promoting good agricultural practices to improve air quality
• increase buffers, encourage pollinators and predators for pest regulation and support a whole-farm approach within the catchment’s mixed arable and livestock landscape
• bring together stakeholders and experts to share experience and knowledge

Group priorities

The river catchment at East Stour is a chalk stream at its headwaters. This important river corridor sits in a landscape dissected by villages, road networks and a significant, growing number of large-scale garden town developments.

Mixed farming continues to dominate the landscape. It has the potential to deliver multiple CS priorities to protect biodiversity, soil, water and air.

To support priority habitats, the group will look to:

• identify priority habitats and increase awareness of their value
• restore and maintain ancient and broadleaf woodlands
• understand the importance of ‘edge’ habitat and the transition between canopy and field level
• restore, create and manage lowland meadows, chalk grassland, riparian habitats and arable margins

To support priority species, the group will look to:

• encourage provision of habitat and safe nesting and feeding sites for turtle dove, lapwing, corn bunting and willow tit
• connect and enhance habitat corridors for great crested newt and other flora and fauna species associated with aquatic and terrestrial environments, to support movement and establishment across the cluster

It will establish new wetland habitat to alleviate flood risk in high priority areas.

It will also introduce new habitats and riparian buffers to improve water quality, reduce runoff rates, reduce soil erosion, and enhance biodiversity and landscape character. It will protect historical features in the catchment in the face of increasing pressure from large scale new developments.

Finally, the group will prioritise farming operations that support intelligent farming. This may include:

• maintaining year-round green cover
• identifying options for Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• nutrient use efficiency
• fertiliser storage and incorporation to reduce volatilisation to protect and restore soils
• improving air quality in the Great Stour nitrate vulnerable zone

Contact

Debbie Reynolds
Email: debbie.reynolds@fwagsoutheast.co.uk