Defra has also announced that those with existing Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) agreements expiring in 2024 will be offered a mirror agreement. Those with existing Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreements expiring in 2024 will be offered an extension.
The CSHT mirror agreements and HLS extensions will include the same terms, agreement durations and payment rates as current agreements. Natural England consents will need to be applied for again if they were required previously.
A link to the Defra blog on CSHT mirror agreements and HLS extensions can be found here.
If you have any queries regarding the above information, please contact our office.
