Environmental Stewardship & Land Management Schemes

Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELM)

Public money for public goods

The new Environmental Land Management scheme (ELM) will have two central objectives: to deliver public goods and to tackle the environmental challenges that are currently associated with agriculture. It will soon replace both the Basic Payment Scheme and Countryside Stewardship as the core source of public funding for farmers, foresters and land managers and we want our clients to be ready for the challenges and the opportunities that will present.

As the design of the new scheme takes shape, we are developing guidance for our clients on how to prepare for the introduction of ELM in 2024. GSC Grays are involved in testing and co-design for the new scheme, and we are ready to deliver applications and schemes as soon as they are available to our clients. Our knowledgeable environmental and farm consultants are always happy to answer questions about the new scheme and how it might impact your farm or rural business.

Woodland Creation & Management

Maximising returns from new planting or existing woodland

Woodland can deliver many benefits: sheltering stock, preventing erosion, producing timber, reducing flood risk, sequestering carbon, and providing habitat and food for wildlife. Woodland creation grants and support for ongoing woodland management can also make planting woodland an attractive proposition on lower yielding or challenging farmland. If you are interested in planting woodland, we can provide an initial appraisal of the suitability of the site, the grants that may be available to you and a projected annual income from public or private funding sources.

The active management of existing woodland can increase the benefits it delivers and may be beneficial for tax reasons. Our consultants are experienced in preparing woodland management plans targeted at your objectives. Whether you are interested in enhancing a woodland’s biodiversity value, improving its ability to sequester carbon or optimising its timber production, we can advise on how best to maximise returns from newly planted or existing sites.