Natural England

Farmers in the Blackdown Hills, who are managing their land under an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) agreement, are being encouraged by Natural England to apply for capital grants to help them carry out projects which will support the conservation and enhancement of the local environment.

As the winter season approaches, this is an ideal time for farmers with ESA agreements who are eligible for these grants to consider opportunities across their holdings for projects such as scrub management on key grassland habitats; hedge restoration to support communities of bats; boundary restoration, provision of hedgerow trees and protective fencing; and works to enhance traditional orchards.

Natural England’s Richard Lambirth said “We now have a significant budget which will help farmers in the ESA Scheme to make the most of their agreements. Almost every farmer could easily identify at least one project on their holding which would enhance the environment of their area – this may be hedge restoration including laying, scrub clearance or re-planting a traditional orchard. Now is the time to take advantage of the funds available and make a contribution to the conservation of the area we all cherish”.

Although the ESA Scheme closed to new applicants several years ago, it currently includes some 210 live agreements. Over the last 14 years, many thousands of pounds have been paid out to farmers in the Scheme through Conservation Plans to support works such as hedgelaying and boundary restoration; scrub management; the protection of historic and archaeological features; and the restoration of traditional farm buildings. All these projects have contributed to strengthening the special character of the Blackdown Hills with its patchwork of improved land and small grass fields bounded by hedgebanks with hedgerow trees, scattered copses, orchards and settlements.

ESA agreement holders wishing to apply for a two year Conservation Plan must firstly complete an application form. This can be downloaded from the Natural England website www.naturalengland.org.uk or by contacting Natural England’s Bristol office on 08456 024098.

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Notes for editors

1. Natural England is here to conserve and enhance the natural environment, for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people and the economic prosperity that it brings. For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk

2. The Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme was introduced in 1987 to offer incentives to encourage farmers to adopt agricultural practices which would safeguard and enhance parts of the country of particularly high landscape, wildlife and historic value. The Scheme has now closed to new applicants and has been superseded by the Environmental Stewardship Scheme.

3. The environmental value of the Blackdown Hills lies in its small-scale patchwork of grass fields, hedgebanks/rows, woodland, a rich historic heritage and a diversity of habitats. These include springline mires, unimproved grassland, watercourses and remnant heathland which are valuable for their flora and fauna. Notable species supported by these habitats include the Marsh Fritillary butterfly.

4. For further information on this press release, please contact Christine White on 0300 060 1302.