The Property and Land Specialists

Contact Sophie Clotworthy on 07467145524 or s.clotworthy@w-w.co.uk to find out how we can help you!

Spotlight on the Sustainable Farming Incentive
and the Future of Farming

The Sustainable Farming Incentive is a new government scheme that rewards environmental land management. 

The Sustainable Farming Incentive forms part of the new suite of schemes forms ELMS (Environmental Land Management Scheme) that will reward farmers for adopting more sustainable farming practices. From 2021, the area-based Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in England is being phased out over seven years. By 2028, farmers will no longer receive any BPS payment from the government. Instead, a selection of new payment systems, based on environmental outcomes and public goods, are being introduced.

			Reduction percentage for the element within the band
Direct payment band				2021	2022	2023	2024
Up to £30,000			5%		20%	35%	50%
£30,000 - £50,000			10%		25%	40%	55%
£50,000 - £150,000			20%		35%	50%	65%
£150,000 or more			25%		40%	55%	70%

Farmers are being rewarded for adopting sustainable farming practices 

Alongside the opportunities presented by ELMS it has also been promised that there will be a more positive approach to inspections and scheme compliance, The secretary of state has said:

“The SFI will reflect a fundamental change in DEFRA’s approach to checking compliance and monitoring agreements, with the focus on outcomes and improvement, rather than penalising shortcomings.”

The first entry level scheme to be introduced in England is the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) which is due to be piloted by 2000 farmers over the next 6 months. This will be followed by an early roll out in 2022 comprising 2 standards: Soils standard comprised of: Arable and Horticultural Soils Standard, Improved Grassland Soils Standard and Moorland and Rough Grazing Standard. The second standard is the Animal Health and Welfare Review. More standards will be added as scheme progresses.

The SFI will pay farmers to manage their land in an environmentally sustainable way, above the regulatory requirements. Actions will be grouped into ‘standards’ enabling farmers to identify actions best suited to their land and business. The aim is to make it straightforward for everyone to take part

Within each standard there are three levels for participants to choose from – introductory, intermediate, and advanced. Each level will be more challenging than the previous and deliver greater environmental benefits. Farmers can choose a different level for each standard – avoiding the need to pick a level of difficulty which applies across all standards. Where appropriate, more than one standard can be applied to the same area of land.

Careful navigation is required to select the right scheme for you

As always, careful navigation through all the available options is needed to make sure the selected schemes are the right fit for your farm. To discuss the merits of applying to the SFI next year or to start planning a new Countryside Stewardship application or extending an existing agri-environment agreement please contact The Woolley & Wallis Farm and Rural team.

In addition to SFI there are updates being made on an almost weekly basis sharing information on new schemes and grants that are becoming available. If there is a project you have in mind or a new piece of equipment that you are looking to invest in, please get in contact for an update.

If at first you don’t succeed...


A planning application refusal is guaranteed to put your clients in a bad mood however, just because you have been initially refused does not mean that the proposed scheme is a dead end.

2nd bite of the cherry, A case study example

We were recently approached by a new client in North Wiltshire who wanted to gain planning permission for an agricultural building on a 1.5 acre block of land adjoining his house. A local agent had submitted a full planning application on their behalf and were unfortunately, unsuccessful in securing a permission.  Thankfully, before losing hope completely, they were recommended to speak to The Woolley & Wallis Planning Department.

A fully evidenced application was submitted addressing the development plan and all relevant material considerations; including the fact that although the area of land in question was on the (very) small side, it was agricultural land which was capable of housing livestock and an agricultural barn was required for animal welfare purposes.

The site is positioned on the edge of Cotswold AONB, therefore evidence of the schemes impact upon the surrounding landscape viewpoints was provided to the planning office alongside a modest landscaping scheme; mitigating any concerns of the planning officer.

Due to the site’s proximity to a Romano-British settlement, there were concerns over the positioning of the proposed building. We offered to work alongside an archaeologist during the excavation phase to overcome these concerns which the planning officer agreed to and ultimately presented the last piece of the puzzle and resulted in a positive decision.

Chris Cary, Chartered Surveyor and Agricultural Valuer explained:

 “It is imperative to engage and work alongside the allocated planning officer, ultimately they are there to prevent poor development and to protect our beautiful landscapes. Give them everything they need and make their lives easy to determine applications successfully."


If you would like to reinvigorate an old idea or discuss a new project please call the Farm & Rural Team at Woolley & Wallis Marlborough
01672 515252    marlborough@w-w.co.uk