Natural England - Closed schemes

Closed schemes

Natural England manages the agreements made under funding schemes for land management that are now closed to new applicants.

These schemes include the following:

  • The Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme, which aimed to improve the environmental value of farmland in 22 defined areas of England. This closed with the introduction of Environmental Stewardship.

  • The Countryside Stewardship Scheme, which aimed to improve the environmental value of farmland throughout England. This closed with the introduction of Environmental Stewardship.

  • The Wildlife Enhancement Scheme, which was a management agreement scheme for Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Higher Level Stewardship is now the main scheme used to support the management of SSSIs.

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