New Environmental Scheme Details

The design of the new scheme to replace Environmental Stewardship from 2015 is becoming clearer.  We wrote about ‘NELMS’ (New Environmental Land Mangement Scheme) in June.  Many of the features we suggested might appear do, indeed, seem likely to be included.  The latest information comes inthe form of a ‘first cut’ paper presented to stakeholders ahead of a more formal consultation, probably in October.  There is not a great deal of detail, but some clear ideas emerge;

• there will be a single NELMS scheme incorporating measures currently under Environmental Stewardship and woodland grants.  The Catchment Sensitive Farming programme may, or may not, be included.  There will be no specific aid for uplands or organic farming (as with current OELS and UELS)
• there will be three broad elements to NELMS (see below).  However, there will be a single menu of options across all elements.  The scheme will see greater targeting, and the area of farmland covered by agreements is likely to drop from the current level.
• an ‘upper tier’ of site-specific agreements will broadly re-create the HLS.  This would be available only on sites with the highest environmental potential.  Applications are likely to be at Natural England’s invitation building in the ‘pipeline approach under the HLS.
• the ‘mid tier’ is the most radical element of the new design.  This focuses on ‘landscape scale’ projects and is likely to require a number of land managers to collaborate in joint applications.  Funding would be available to facilitate putting such groups together.  Funding is likely to be limited so there will be an element of competition in applications.
• the final element is a universal capital grants scheme.  This recognises that some farmers will no longer be able to access the main land management schemes, so an opportunity is provided for them to bid for (fairly small) grant funding for things such as hedgerow and stone wall restoration. 
• the basic agreement length will be 5 years.  Greater, advice, aftercare and monitoring will be built into the schemes compared to the current ES.