The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has opened the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme to direct applications from farmers and land managers. The change allows applicants to submit an Expression of Interest for woodland agreements, agroforestry agreements and new single‑focus agreements that restore species‑rich grassland. An initial cohort of up to 1,200 single‑focus agreements is available. Previously, only invitations from Natural England or the Forestry Commission enabled applications; the restriction is now lifted. The Department says at least £50 million will be available for new CSHT agreements this year. Natural England will prioritise farmers with agreements ending or who have completed preparatory work. Trial applications on common land will begin later this year before a wider rollout. The move follows the reopening of the Sustainable Farming Incentive earlier this week.
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