Cooper Rural

02/06/2026

CAPITAL GRANTS 2026 – GUIDANCE NOW AVAILABLE

DEFRA has now released the guidance for the Capital Grants 2026 scheme ahead of applications opening in July, providing farmers and land managers with an opportunity to begin preparing applications.

This year, £225 million of funding will be available to support a wide range of capital works, including:

• Hedgerow Planting and Restoration
• Fencing
• Livestock Troughs & Pipework

The scheme will continue to offer funding across a range of capital items designed to improve farm resilience, support the environment and complement food production.

DEFRA has also confirmed that applicants will be required to provide more supporting evidence at the point of application, following a high number of incomplete submissions in previous rounds. Early preparation will therefore be increasingly important.

Cooper Rural can assist with:
• Preparing plans, maps and supporting information
• Securing any necessary approvals and consents
• Preparing and submitting applications on your behalf

With demand expected to be strong, we strongly recommend beginning preparations as early as possible.

If you are considering applying under the Capital Grants 2026 scheme, please contact Cooper Rural to discuss how we can assist.

Tom Cooper - 07917 732218
Morten Gledhill - 07570 858582

29/04/2026

FETF 2026 – APPLICATION WINDOW EXTENDED

DEFRA has confirmed that the application window for the Farming Equipment & Technology Fund (FETF) 2026 has been extended until midday on Tuesday 12th May, providing additional time for farmers and landowners to submit applications.

The scheme offers grant funding towards a range of equipment across three key areas:
• Farm Productivity
• Animal Health & Welfare
• Slurry Management

With grants available between £1,000 and £25,000 per theme, and a potential combined total of up to £75,000, the fund remains a valuable opportunity to support investment in farm infrastructure and efficiency.

What this means for your farm:

If you were previously considering an application but had not yet progressed, this extension provides a further opportunity to put a strong submission together, however, the scheme remains competitive.

Cooper Rural can assist with:

• Identifying suitable and eligible equipment

• Preparing and submitting applications

• Ensuring all requirements are met within the revised timeframe

If you would like to discuss an application under the FETF scheme, please contact Cooper Rural as soon as possible.

Tom Cooper - 07917 732218
Morten Gledhill - 07570 858582

31/03/2026

CALL FOR SITES – CITY OF DONCASTER COUNCIL DEADLINE 10 MAY 2026
IS YOUR LAND SUITABLE FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT?

The City of Doncaster Council has its latest ‘Call for Sites’ open, and runs until 10th May 2026. This consultation allows landowners to put forward land they believe could be suitable for future housing, employment, or mixed-use development.

This stage is a crucial part of the Local Plan process. Putting land forward during a Call for Sites significantly increases the chances for potential allocation — which means it could be identified for development over the next 10 years or more.

At Cooper Rural, we are acting on behalf of landowners to:
• Prepare and submit site promotion forms and plans
• Liaise with Promoters and Developers to obtain Promotion/Option agreements
• Maximise the likelihood of successful site allocation and long-term value

If you own land that might have development potential, whether in Doncaster or in the wider area, it is important to act now to ensure your site is considered.

For confidential advice and to discuss your options, please contact Cooper Rural.

Tom Cooper: 07917 732218
Morten Gledhill: 07570 858582

27/03/2026

COOPER RURAL - FARMERS WEEKLY

We are pleased to feature in this weeks Farmers Weekly raising a serious issue with the release of the new Capital Grants Scheme. We urge you to read this article to bring you up to date with recent developments:

Farmers may struggle to access Defra’s £225m Capital Grants scheme after key advisers warned they are already unable to take on new requests as part of

24/03/2026

CAPITAL GRANTS 2026 – FUNDING UPDATE

DEFRA has confirmed that a new round of Capital Grants will open in July 2026, with funding increased to approximately £225 million, a significant uplift on previous rounds.

The scheme provides funding towards one-off capital items that deliver environmental improvements across farmed land, with popular items including concreting, stock-proof fencing and hedgerow planting.

With strong demand in previous rounds and funding often fully allocated quickly, early preparation will be essential.

Some of the payments included in the scheme are:
Fencing (FG1) – £6.34 per metre
Concrete Yard Renewal (RP15) - £33.64 per square metre
Hedgerow Planting (BN11) - £22.97 per metre

Cooper Rural can assist by:

• Identifying suitable capital items for your holding

• Preparing applications and supporting plans

• Seeking any required approvals (e.g. Planning Permissions)

• Managing claims once agreements are in place

If you are considering applying, we recommend registering your interest now so preparations can begin ahead of the opening window.

Tom Cooper: 07917 732218
Morten Gledhill: 07570 858582

18/03/2026

COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP CLAIMS – NOW OPEN

The Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier revenue claim window is now open, with a deadline of midnight on 15 May 2026.

For many farm businesses, these payments are a key part of annual income — so it’s important claims are accurate and submitted on time to avoid any reductions.

How Cooper Rural can help
We can handle the process on your behalf, including:

• Preparing and submitting your claim
• Checking parcels and options are correct
• Ensuring deadlines are met

If you would like assistance with your 2026 claim, please contact Cooper Rural to get things underway.

Tom Cooper: 07917 732218
Morten Gledhill: 07570 858582

17/03/2026

FOR SALE - 3.82 ACRES OF LAND OFF BAWTRY ROAD (A614), BAWTRY, SOUTH YORKSHIRE
TENDER DEADLINE - MIDDAY FRIDAY 10 APRIL 2026
Cooper Rural are pleased to launch this parcel of grassland on the fringe of the market town of Bawtry
https://cooperrural.co.uk/land-for-sale/

16/03/2026

FETF 2026 – APPLICATIONS OPEN TOMORROW

The Farming Equipment & Technology Fund (FETF) 2026 opens tomorrow (17 March), offering grant funding towards new farm equipment and technology.
The scheme provides £50 million of funding across three themes:

• Farm Productivity – £20m
• Animal Health & Welfare – £20m
• Slurry Management – £10m

Eligible businesses can apply for £1,000–£25,000 per theme, meaning a potential maximum grant of £75,000 if applying across all three categories.

Grants contribute towards specific items of equipment designed to improve productivity, livestock welfare and environmental management, including slurry equipment, livestock handling systems and precision technology.

Cooper Rural can assist with identifying eligible equipment, making applications and submitting claims for items where Grant Funding Agreements have been secured.

If you are considering investment in new machinery or technology this year, please contact Cooper Rural to discuss the scheme.

Tom Cooper: 07917 732218
Morten Gledhill: 07570 858582

15/03/2026

APR & BPR – HIGH COURT CHALLENGE THIS MARCH

Many farmers and landowners will be watching closely as a High Court hearing on 17–18 March considers the legal challenge to the Government’s proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR). The case will examine whether the reforms were introduced lawfully and whether adequate consultation took place.

As it currently stands, the Government intends to introduce the changes from April 2026, including a £2.5 million cap per individual on assets qualifying for 100% APR and BPR, with relief above that level reduced.

Regardless of the outcome of the hearing, the wider message remains clear: it is increasingly important for farmers and landowners to future-proof their businesses and fully understand the value of their estate.

With potential changes to taxation and reliefs, clear and accurate information is essential when planning for succession and long-term business continuity.

At Cooper Rural, we regularly provide professional rural property valuations to support accountants, solicitors and financial advisers in inheritance tax and succession planning exercises. A well-supported valuation can be a key component when assessing potential liabilities, considering restructuring options, or planning for the next generation.

If you would like to review the value of your land, farm or rural assets as part of a wider tax planning exercise, please feel free to contact Cooper Rural for an initial discussion.

10/03/2026

WENDY COOPER JOINS COOPER RURAL

We are delighted to welcome Wendy, having recently joined the Firm.

Wendy has a wide breadth of experience in Rural Estate Management, Bookkeeping and Office Administration.

Wendy has worked in the rural industry for 20 years and is a member of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) and Institute of Agricultural Secretaries and Administrators (IAgSA).

We are pleased to have Wendy join the Cooper Rural team and look forward to the experience and knowledge she brings to the firm.

Please join us in welcoming Wendy.