Following on from the launch of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) last month we are now able to see how the application process works in terms of physical paperwork and also get to grips with some of the lesser known compulsory scheme requirements. On the face of it, the Mid-Tier application paperwork is very similar […]
Posted on August 13th, 2015 by Mike Cluley
Approximately 76.5 acres (30.96 ha) of arable land in 7 field parcels situated off the A46 near Ashton Under Hill, Evesham TENANCY DETAILS The land is offered to let on a ten year Farm Business Tenancy commencing from 29th September 2015. Further details in regards to the proposed tenancy agreement can be found in the […]
Posted on August 5th, 2015 by Mike Cluley
Growth program for the rural economy providing grants to small rural businesses. What is the growth programme? In a nutshell, it provides funding to help projects in England which create jobs and help rural economy growth. The grants are funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) manages […]
Posted on July 30th, 2015 by Mike Cluley
The new Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) is about to be formally launched by Natural England (NE) with applications invited for the Mid and Higher Tiers between the 1st July and 30th September with agreements starting from 1st January 2016. The scheme boosts some 130 management options and 110 capital items to chose from many of which […]
Posted on June 23rd, 2015 by Mike Cluley
Following the announcement that the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) will now be done using paper forms rather than the Rural Payments System and that the deadline is now the 15th June, we now have a different timeline of actions that need to be taken. We have summarised the key issues and when they need to be […]
Posted on March 23rd, 2015 by Mike Cluley
The new £5m Countryside Productivity Scheme was launched on the 9th March 2015. The scheme offers funding for up to 40% of the capital costs of a variety of equipment and applications must be for between £2,500 – £35,000 (Small Grant) or £35,000 – £100,000 (Large Grant) of grant funding depending on the equipment […]
Posted on March 9th, 2015 by Mike Cluley
Whilst the main Countryside Stewardship Scheme will not begin until 1st January 2016, some more targeted grants are currently in the process of being released. Applications are now invited for the following: Woodland Capital Grants – Application Window: NOW until 30th June Applications are currently invited for: Woodland Creation Woodland Management Plans (in preparation for other […]
Posted on February 26th, 2015 by Mike Cluley
Over the last couple of years you will have seen headlines in the press saying that farmland is a better investment than gold. Returns on land have been excellent, with prices rising by a further 12% last year, as outlined by the RICS Farmland Market Survey. Questions are being asked about how long it can be […]
Posted on February 16th, 2015 by Mike Cluley
Most farmers are now familiar with the Soil Protection Review booklet that was part of the Cross Compliance requirements for the Single Payment Scheme. It was an important book – failure to give it to an RPA inspector within 30 minutes of an RPA inspection was likely to land you with a 3% fine of […]
Posted on December 22nd, 2014 by Mike Cluley
It is tempting that once you have got a Contract Farming Agreement in place to forget about it especially if everyone seems happy. However with the volatility in commodity prices and the Greening requirements under the new Basic Payment Scheme now needing to be considered, what was considered suitable before may no longer be suitable […]
Posted on December 22nd, 2014 by Mike Cluley