Natural England

Farmland in the East of England which has the most environmental potential is highlighted on a new map produced by Natural England.

The government’s wildlife and conservation advisor administers Environmental Stewardship grants which provide funding to farmers and land managers who deliver effective environmental management on their land. It has developed the new map prioritising those areas Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire which are most suitable for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS).

The organisation looked at areas which were good for conserving wildlife, the historic environment, landscape and public access, and those which had the best combination of all these features have been identified as target areas.

Alex Nichols, Natural England’s East of England HLS Project Manager, said: “These maps bring together a wide range of environmental information to help us target the scheme. We would like to hear from landowners in these areas who are interested in HLS. However, the scheme is open in all areas and these maps should not discourage people outside of the target areas from coming forward if they have environmentally important features.”

To qualify for the Higher Level Scheme farmers must be able to improve the environment in many ways. Natural England has identified ‘target areas’ to help farmers decide whether they are likely to be successful. The aim is to make the scheme more cost effective for both farmers and administrators whilst delivering maximum environmental benefit.

Last year Natural England spent £3.2million on HLS agreements in the East of England with scheme holders receiving an average grant of £18,000 a year. Agreements last for 10 years.

High wheat prices may currently discourage East Anglian farmers from considering agri-environment schemes. However Alex Nichols believes efficient crop production alongside positive environmental management can be a profitable combination. He said: “The majority of our HLS agreements are on highly commercial farms. Typically the areas offering the greatest environmental benefit tend to be the less productive parts of the farm, hence the HLS payments hold their own, even with the high wheat price.”

Before applying for HLS, potential applicants need to contact Natural England. Bespoke advice will then be given on the suitability of proposals and guidance on the application process. The scheme has quarterly start dates of 1 February, 1 May, 1 August and 1 November and closing dates for applications are, respectively, 30 September, 31 December, 31 March and 30 June.

To find out more about HLS and to speak to a Natural England advisor call Alex Nichols on 01284 717595

Notes for editors

A copy of the map is available from Helen Payn on 01733 455131 or email Helen.payn@naturalengland.org.uk. Alternatively you can download the map here [4 mb]

1. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

2. Natural England took over responsibility for the delivery of Environmental Stewardship from the Rural Development Service on 1 October 2006.

3. Environmental Stewardship was launched on 3 March 2005. It is composed of three tiers:

• Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), a whole farm scheme which aims to encourage farmers and land managers across England to deliver simple but effective environmental management;
• Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS), which is open to farmers who manage all or part of their land organically;
• Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), which, when combined with ELS or OELS options, aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority areas.

4. Environmental Stewardship builds on the very best practice already evident in British farming. In particular, it takes forward Defra's two flagship agri-environment schemes, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Countryside Stewardship. The primary objectives of the new scheme are to: Conserve wildlife (biodiversity); Maintain and enhance landscape quality and character; Protect the historic environment and natural resources; Promote public access and understanding of the countryside and Natural resource protection.

For more information see: www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/es/default.htm

5. Environmental Stewardship (ES) is one of the Schemes which operate under the England Rural Development Programme ERDP. The scheme replaced the Countryside Stewardship, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Organic Farming Schemes, which are now closed to new applicants.