| Grants |
Responsible
hedge management is not always cheap, but grant aid for hedge laying and
hedge planting is available in Somerset.
|
The Exmoor Landscape Conservation Grants
Visit www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
for full details, guidance notes and the short application form.
The aim of this 3 year grant scheme is to support a range of projects
and traditional management works that benefit the landscape, wildlife
and cultural heritage of Exmoor National Park.
Funding is in the form of small grants, typically up to 50%. You may submit
applications for different projects, but the maximum grant per holding
is £2500 per year. The grant can support projects such as hedge
bank management, scrub and bracken control, orchard management, pond restoration
and care of historic features or other landscape conservation work.
If you need any further information, have any queries or need some help
with a project idea, please contact Heather Harley, Conservation Advisor
(Farming) on 01398 322277 or email hjharley@.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
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In 2005, the new agri-environment scheme Environmental Stewardship was introduced, comprising the Entry Level Scheme (ELS) and the Higher Level Scheme (HLS). Details of the schemes are available online at: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/funding/es/default.aspx
Environmental Stewardship is an agri-environment scheme which provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England who deliver effective environmental management on their land. The scheme is intended to build on the recognised success of the Environmental Sensitive Areas scheme and the countryside Stewardship Scheme. Its primary objectives 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
Natural resource protection
Within the primary objectives it also has the secondary objectives of:
Genetic conservation
Flood management
Environmental stewardship has three elements:
Entry
Level Stewardship (ELS)
- Open to all farmers and landowners.
- Simple and effective land management.
Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS)
- Organic strand of ELS.
- Open to all farmers not receiving Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) aid.
Higher Level Stewardship (HLS)
- Targeted environmental management.
- Capital work plans.
ELS and OELS go beyond what will be required under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) cross compliance conditions. Entering into an Environmental Stewardship agreement will not remove any cross compliance obligations.
|
CSS
is now closed and has been superceeded by the Higher Level scheme under
Environmental Stewardship starting in March 2005. See the DEFRA
website for more details.
For further information Tel. 0117 959 1000
|
ESA schemes are now closed and will be superceeded by the Higher Level scheme under Environmental Stewardship starting in 2005. See the DEFRA website for more details.
For further information Tel. 0117 959 1000
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As well as the administration of Environmental Stewardship, grants may be available from Natural England for:-
| • | New projects enabling the safeguarding, management and enhancement of sites and species of nature conservation importance and their enjoyment by the public; |
| • | Projects enabling local communities to participate more fully in conservation activities; |
| • | Proposals designed to encourage the development of management for wildlife within natural areas of the countryside; |
| • | Innovative projects demonstrating new initiatives which are likely to have a wider relevance and further the practice of nature conservation; |
| • | Imaginative proposals which implement the concept of integrating nature conservation with other interests and potentially competing activities. |
Grants for wildlife projects must contribute to Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs).
