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More farmers to benefit from Hedgerows and Boundaries Grant
H & H Land and Property have welcomed the recent announcement by Natural England that the Hedgerows & Boundaries Grant ( HBG ) is to be re-launched . “ Following a change in the eligibility rules , this now means that the grant will be available to more farmers than ever before ,” explains David Morley , Head of Conservation and Environment at H & H Land and Property .
I n 2016 , farmers or landowners with an Entry Level Stewardship agreement or Woodland Grant Scheme were barred from applying . With the removal of this restriction , the grant in 2017 is now available to those farmers , even if it is covered by their existing agreement . However , land in an Uplands Entry Level or Higher Level Stewardship agreement or a Mid-Tier or Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship agreement cannot be included in an HBG application .
The 2017 application window is now open and runs from 1st February to 28th April . As was the case last year , farmers can apply for a one-off grant of up to £ 5000 towards the restoration of hedgerows , dry stone walls , stonefaced banks or earth banks .
As with all elements of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme , the application process is competitive and there is limited budget available . All applications will be scored and only those with the highest scores will secure a grant . Applications will generally be more likely to be successful if :
• The farming business has previously had an Environmental Stewardship agreement ( ELS or HLS ) or a Woodland Scheme .
• The smaller the holding , the more chance of success .
• The application is to restore hedges or walls , rather than stonefaced or earth banks .
• The greater the length of boundary being restored , the higher the score .
• The holding is linked to a
group receiving Facilitation Fund payments .
Farmers who applied successfully last year can apply again , but businesses that have not previously received a grant will be given priority . The standard payment rates for the capital items that can be applied for remain unchanged and include :
• Hedge laying £ 9.40 per metre
• Coppicing of hedgerows £ 4.00 per metre
• Hedgerow restoration through gapping up £ 9.50 per metre
• Stone-faced bank repair £ 31.00 per metre
• Stone wall restoration £ 25.00 per metre
• Stone wall top wiring supplement ( on walls being restored ) £ 3.60 per metre To conclude , David said : “ This year , successful applicants will be made a grant offer in June 2017 and , if accepted , the agreement will start on 1st July . The applicant then has until 31st December 2018 to complete the work and submit their claim . A competitive application will be critical in securing a grant ; it is therefore strongly recommended that potential applicants seek professional advice to maximise their chances of success .”
For more information about the grants available contact David Morley or Mike Dyke at H & H Land and Property , on 01228 406260 or visit www . hhland . co . uk
08 | Farming Monthly | February 2017 www . farmingmonthly . co . uk