The 2024 expanded SFI Offer is now fully up and running and the expression of interest process and the additional post submission checks have now been removed.  Generally, agreements are now coming back within a few weeks with a start date of the following month, unless any additional information such[…]

Last week the RPA announced the temporary closure of the CS capital grant scheme whilst a spending review is undertaken.  Over the last few months both the volume and value of capital applications has increased dramatically and is impacting upon the funding available. What this means for you:

How to Carry Out Your SFI Hedgerow Assessment Hedgerows are often overlooked in farm management, but under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), they hold significant value—both for the environment and your finances. With the SFI’s HRW1 action, assessing and recording the condition of your hedgerows is the first step toward[…]

All planning applications now require 10% Biodiversity Net Gain and this includes new slurry lagoons, silage clamps and livestock sheds.  While this may seem onerous most typical applications by farmers and landowners will be able to meet the requirements on farm through modest areas of habitat enhancement or creation.  It[…]

£2,500 Funding for New Ponds in Cheshire East Are you interested in creating a new pond and have land in Cheshire East local authority?  Ponds must be located within a target area and we can quickly check if your proposed site is eligible.  There is a payment of £2,500 per[…]

Bollin Local Landscape Recovery Project. The National Trust, Cheshire East Council and Tatton Estates are proposing an application for landscape recovery funding, the project will focus on the River Bollin catchment.  Landscape recovery money is focused on delivering habitat improvements across large areas and is bespoke funding so those involved[…]

Join us for a Hog Roast and Refreshments Wednesday 25th September Holly Tree Farm, Lower Withington, Macclesfield and we will be sharing a stand with Butcher Barlow solicitors, Bennett Brooks chartered accountants and Meller Speakman.  Join us for a complimentary Hog Roast between 11:30am – 2:00pm, or any time throughout[…]

Defra’s ministers have said they don’t want to overturn the applecart and are fully committed to environmental land management schemes (ELM).  The first expanded offer agreements started on 1 August 2024 and landowners are being asked to apply in a in a controlled way, so everyone gets the right level of service and[…]

New Woodland working with the Mersey Forest in Cheshire Interested in Woodland Creation in Cheshire?  ELM Associates have project manged 33ha of new woodland projects this last winter and 31ha the year before.  We now have a wide range of examples and woodland types ranging in size from 0.4ha to[…]

Trees planted at popular ice cream farm as part of agroforestry scheme A popular ice cream farm in Cheshire is set to introduce more flavours to its menu thanks to the range of trees they’ve planted this season as part of an agroforestry scheme. Snugbury’s is a family run ice[…]