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Severn Trent Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS)

The wet winter had a large impact on the local environment, with farm businesses especially hit hard. With that in mind, Severn Trent are offering the chance for farmers to apply for a specially selected and limited range of options for the STEPS grant scheme Spring 2020, the criteria has also been relaxed.
Severn Trent will match-fund up to £5,000 per application. For larger projects, and where possible, will consider spreading the funding across two application years.
For this edition of STEPS, farms:

  • do not need to apply for a water quality item to be eligible to apply for a biodiversity option
  • can apply for just a water quality item if required
  • can apply for just a biodiversity option if required

Applications are scored as usual. If an application meets the eligibility requirements for the support, it should be accepted. However, funding in not guaranteed.
In order to be eligible for support from STEPS, farmers must:

  • farm or have land in a priority catchment in the Severn Trent Region
  • have a minimum of 3 hectares of land, this can be owned or leased
  • be actively farming that land

Farmers can apply to fund environmental projects on farm, from the pre-defined list of funding options. These funds have helped with projects ranging from cover crops, to fencing, to pesticide wash-down areas, and biobeds/biofilters.
 
Severn Trent also considers items that are not listed if they are innovative and support farmers and the wider goals of the programme. If you have a great idea, then you can apply for an innovation option, the Severn Trent team, will give support and guidance on this.
The grant window opened on 18 May 2020 and will close on 22 June 2020. Grants will be awarded to successful applicants no later than 31 August 2020 and work must be completed by 1 March 2021.
To discuss, please contact Sarah Reece on 01743 267068 email sarah.reece@berrys.uk.com. To find out if you are eligible and for details on how to apply, visit the STEPS website https://www.stwater.co.uk/STEPS.

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