Hardcastle Rural Surveyors

12/06/2026

Expiring Mid-Tier Schemes able to apply for SFI 2026

DEFRA have this week confirmed that Countryside Stewardship Schemes which expire later this year will now be eligible to apply for the SFI 2026 scheme in the September window. We have previously expressed concern and pressured government to take action over the future of these scheme and this announcement is welcomed.

Many farmers in the region have Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier Schemes which expire in December 2026, many of these will have received a 1 year extension last year in the absence of any available mechanism to apply in 2025.

DEFRA statistics show that there are around 13,000 expiring schemes across the country, most of these are anticipated to apply for the SFI 2026. The budget for the SFI 2026 scheme has been confirmed at £240m, however £60m of this is allocated to the first window aimed at small farmers. Of the remaining £180m budget for window 2, the demand from expiring Mid-Tier schemes is anticipated to exceed £100m, leaving a relatively small budget for new applicants.

Although this announcement is good news for many farmers, the limited budget raises concerns over the availability of the scheme, with funds allocated on a first come, first served basis. Many applicants will likely miss out on this years offer and farmers are urged to act early to ensure the best chance of obtaining funding.

For help and support with your application, contact the team at Hardcastle Rural Surveyors on 01765 658525.

03/06/2026

Sale Agreed - 29 acres Land at Nidd

The sale of a block of land at Nidd, near Harrogate, confirms the strong level of demand for farmland within the region.

Launched in late April, this attractive parcel of parkland appealed to a wide range of buyers with interest from local farmers, investors and amenity buyers alike. Given the strong level of demand, the sale was concluded this week with a range of offers received confirming the range of demand across the market.

For independent professional advice on the sale of your rural property, contact the team at Hardcastle Rural Surveyors on 01765 658525.

02/06/2026

SFI 2026 - Details Published
The details for the first window of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2026 scheme have been published today with a confirmed opening of 30th June for small farmers and businesses without an existing revenue scheme.

The broad details of the scheme remain similar to the 2024 scheme, however many options have had slight changes to eligibility requirements and adjustments to payment rates.

The first window of the SFI 2026 will open for small farmers (less than 50ha) and farmers who do not currently have an existing ELMS revenue scheme on their land, however applicants will need to have been registered and held land on their RPA account as at 1st January 2026 to be able to apply.

With volatile market prices, increasing input costs and little certainty over future viability, farmers are encouraged to consider options under the new SFI scheme to support their farming businesses. For advice on the scheme, the best options to fit your holding and practical advice, contact the team at Hardcastle Rural Surveyors on 01765 658525

29/05/2026

Capital Grants 2026 - Details Released

DEFRA have this week released the details of the 2026 scheme with full list of available options and details on the payment caps.

The scheme remains similar to the 2025 round, with caps of between £25,000 - 35,000 for different sectors of funding. The scheme is set to open for applications in July and has a budget of £225 million for this year.

Demand for the scheme is set to be high, early planning is recommended to ensure your are prepared for the opening of the scheme to avoid disappointment. Popular options available for 2026 include fencing, hedgerow planting, gapping and laying, wooden field gates, automatic scrapers, livestock troughs and pipework.

For advice, guidance and assistance on this and other funding options, call the team at Hardcastle Rural on 01765 658525

22/05/2026

Best & Final Offers
29.19 Acres Land at Ripley Road, Nidd

Following significant interest, we are instructed to request Best & Final Offers for the land at Ripley Road, Nidd, with a deadline for offers of 12 noon on Tuesday 2nd June.

Full property details and the offer form can be found here: https://hardcastlerural.co.uk/sale-29-19ac-land-nidd

19/05/2026

New Sale Instruction – 1 Northgate Cottages, Brimham Rocks Road, Burnt Yates, Harrogate

An immaculately presented four-bedroom end terrace cottage set within lawned gardens and offering far reaching views over the Nidderdale valley. This stone-built property has been recently renovated and modernised to a high standard throughout, and benefits from off street parking and detached double garage.

For sale by Private Treaty.
Guide Price £650,000

Full details at: https://hardcastlerural.co.uk/sale-northgate-cottage

15/05/2026

North Yorkshire Local Plan - Call for Sites

North Yorkshire Council has reopened its Call for Sites in support of the development of a new Local Plan. The Call for Sites closed at the end of 2025, but the Council have reopened it for a 6 week period. The Call for Sites is the process by which the Council identify sites for development (including residential, employment or amenity use) to be included in the new Local Plan - the first plan to cover the whole of North Yorkshire (excluding the National Parks). The Plan, once finalised, will guide development within the Council's area until 2045.

If you have a site that you would like to be consider for inclusion in the new Local Plan, you have until midnight on 22 June 2026 to submit it to the Council through their online portal.

If you would like help or assistance in submitting your site, please get in touch on 01765 658525.

09/05/2026

The Team at Hardcastle Rural Surveyors are looking forward to supporting I'Anson with their open day on the 23rd May.

Our Team will be in attendance and will be happy to discuss grants and support schemes, SFI 2026, IHT changes and various property matters with both new and existing clients.

Follow the link below to book your ticket in advance:

You are invited to Waterloo House Farmers' Open Day!🏭

Join us on Saturday 23rd May 2026 for a guided mill tour, trade stands, a hog roast and a look at the future of I'Anson Quality Feeds.
Limited spaces available - ages 16 & over for health & safety reasons.

Click the link below to book your complimentary tickets. If any assistance is required, please ring 01765 689332.
🔗 https://www.tickettailor.com/events/iansonbrothersltd/2057835

We'd love to see you there💛

Proud of our Past…Excited by our Future

08/05/2026

Deadline Reminder – Annual Revenue Claims
A reminder that the deadline for submitting your annual revenue claims for any Countryside Stewardship (CS) or Environmental Stewardship (ES) agreements is 11:59pm on Friday 15th May.
Farmers and land managers with an existing Mid Tier or Higher Tier CS agreement, or Entry Level or Higher Level Stewardship agreement, must ensure their claim is submitted by this deadline to avoid any penalties and reductions.
The revenue claim will seek confirm the details of the scheme for this year, including the location of any rotational options. If the location of rotational options is not yet known, they can be confirmed at a later date before 1st September 2026, providing the main claim has still been submitted by 15th May 2026.
For advice and assistance on submitting your annual revenue claim, contact the team at Hardcastle Rural Surveyors on 01765 658525.

01/05/2026

New Sale Instruction – Nidderdale Farmhouse with Large Outbuilding and 11 acres

Coville House Farm, Bouthwaite, Harrogate

A substantial detached five-bedroom farmhouse with large outbuilding equipped with stables and an adjoining 11 acres of scenic Nidderdale countryside offering far reaching views over Gouthwaite Reservoir and valley beyond. This stone-built farmhouse includes a spacious living accommodation, character features, large garden and private parking area. An opportunity exists to purchase more land through separate negotiation.

For sale by Private Treaty.
Guide Price £975,000

Full details at: https://hardcastlerural.co.uk/sale-coville-house-farm