Funding opportunities - England

The UK Government also has a number of schemes relevant to restoration activities. The most important of which are:

CSS – Countryside Stewardship Scheme

CSS is operated by the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA http://www.defra.gov.uk/) and is available throughout England outside ESAs. It aims to protect, enhance, restore and re-create targeted landscapes, their wildlife habitats and historical features, and to improve opportunities for public access.

ESA – Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme (ESA)

ESAs are parts of the country of particularly high landscape, wildlife or historic value, the protection of which requires appropriate farming practices. The Schemes are run by DEFRA and payments are offered to farmers to adopt agricultural practices which will safeguard and enhance the rural environment and create improvements in public access. There are now 22 ESAs in England covering some 10% of agricultural land.

WES – Wildlife Enhancement Scheme (WES)

WES schemes apply to SSSIs, offering money for the maintenance and enhancement of the site’s wildlife interest. The Schemes are run by English Nature and payments are calculated in accordance with this guidance. A similar scheme the Berwyn Scheme is run by the Countryside Council for Wales.

Comment: Non of these schemes are restricted to coastal areas. The ESA does include a number of areas where coastal restoration is specifically targeted.

Other sources of UK-wide funding

The countryside agencies in the UK (Countryside Council for Wales; Scottish Natural Heritage; English Nature) also have grant-giving powers, some of which might be directed towards habitat restoration. Another source of funding for the UK is the National Heritage Lottery Fund see http://www.hlf.org.uk/index2.html.

Comment: The DEFRA schemes are currently being reviewed (www.defra.gov.uk).