SUMMER NEWSLETTER With the Mid Tier Countryside Stewardship deadline looming on the 31st August, the team are working hard to ensure all of your applications are dealt with at a high standard with the relevant supplementary evidence completed. We have seen a greater uptake in the scheme this year, if you are interested in applying next year or would like some extra information please contact Emily Warin (015395 66227) or Charlotte Ormondroyd (015395 66223) in the office. We have a new face in Professional; Megan Schofield has joined the team, see more about her in our staff profile section featured in this newsletter. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP – OUTSTANDING 2017
BPS 2019
We are aware that many clients are still awaiting payments for their Stewardship Schemes in relation to the 2017 scheme year. Natural England have recently announced that payments will be made as follows:
On the 30th July, the Government confirmed that BPS 2019 will run as normal on the same basis as 2018, with applications opening in Spring 2019.
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Advance payments, totalling 75% of the claim value will be paid by 15th August 2018 Final payments, totalling 25% of the claim value will be paid by late November 2018
Natural England have now implemented a process for claimants that are in a situation of financial hardship due to the delay in payments. If you are in this situation please do not hesitate to contact one of us in the office.
Planning: CHANGES TO BARN CONVERSION POLICIES Changes from 6th April 2018 include a substantial increase in the area allowed for permitted development of farm building subject to notification. This goes from 465 square metres to 1000 square metres. This will see many new buildings now being subject to notification rather than having to go through a formal planning application process. This new area limit applies in the National Parks. Additionally the conversion of agricultural buildings for residential use is to change: The new rules permit 3 homes of up to 465 square metres each or up to 5 homes of up to 100 sqm each or a mix of the large and small homes limit subject to limits of 3 units up to 465 sqm and 2 smaller homes. It is not known if this replaces the class Q notification or if it is a new right. We would expect it to be an amendment of Q.
HEDGEROWS & BOUNDARIES CAPITAL GRANT SCHEME This was quite popular in 2018, the scheme runs for 2 years and the maximum available grant per application is £10,000. We are aware of some clients already receiving agreement offers, if you have not received one yet don’t panic. Natural England have issued an update that all agreements will be offered by November. We are aware of the information in some agreements being incorrect. Please do not hesitate to contact Emily or Charlotte if you would like them to check over your agreement. If you are thinking of doing any boundary work in this next year or two, please ring the office to register your interest.
BVD FUNDING DEFRA has announced a new £5.7m funding package to assist farmers with cattle herds affected by Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD). The funding is being made available under the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) over a three year period and will enable farmers to apply for one-to-one farm advisory visits by a veterinary practitioner. The vets will work with keepers of breeding cattle to tackle BVD on their farms. For more information contact the office on 015395 66222
If it is an amendment of Q it will not apply in National Parks, Scheduled Monuments or AONB’s and other special landscape areas.
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