ClientThe Estate managed by Keith Datchler OBE, a trustee of the High Weald Landscape Trust, is renowned for its species rich meadows. In 2006 Keith was looking to replace the Estate's existing Organic Farming Scheme and Countryside Stewardship agreements with one scheme.
CLM completed the requisite Farm Environment Plan (FEP) survey of the estate and submitted an Organic Entry Level/Higher Level Stewardship application to Natural England. The resulting agreement started in early 2007 and has markedly improved the Estate's agri-environment income.
Later in 2007 Keith was declared the inaugural winner of Natural England's Future of Farming Awards.
Client
BD Harris Farm Trust, West Sussex 580ha mixed farm
Before entering Higher Level Stewardship this farm business on the South Downs had land in an ESA agreement and further land in an ELS agreement set up by CLM in 2006. Due to the farm's location there was huge potential for early transfer into a combined ELS/HLS agreement that ensures continued environmental grant income to the farm for the next ten years in addition to markedly improving upon the environmental benefit delivered by the original schemes.
150 hectares of land previously reverted to landscape grassland under ESA have been returned to cultivation specifically to provide the 'Big 3' - summer food, winter food and nesting habitat for farmland birds. In addition this agreement focuses on managing large areas of species rich chalk grassland, protecting a wide range of archaeological features including two scheduled monuments and providing a new permissive bridleway.
This FEP survey and application involved detailed consultations with the RSPB, Natural England, South Downs Joint Committee as well as preparing and submitting a successful Environmental Impact Screening Decision Application.
" Intelligent practical interpretation of ecology and the environment. Charlotte Lay, CLM "
