CSS Grants Open

Capital grants under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) are now open for applications.  The Hedgerows and Boundaries Capital Grant opened on the 1^st February.  This offers up to £5,000 for those that wish to restore hedges or stone walls.  Twelve capital items are available with set payment rates.  The closing date for applications is 30^th April 2016.  The scheme is stand-alone and applicants do not have to be in the wider CSS to apply.  It may well be over-subscribed and there are weighting criteria to judge applications.  Full details are available at – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-hedgerows-and-boundaries-grant-manual-2016 .  The Forestry Commission’s Woodland Creation Grant will open on the 16^th February.  It offers up to £6,800 per hectare to plant, weed, and protect young trees.  The closing date for initial applications is 31^st March.