GR1: Create or restore grassland habitat

Grants for creating or restoring grassland habitats to support biodiversity. Funding of £186.02 per hectare is available for eligible land including arable, fallow, temporary grassland, or permanent grassland that can be restored by reseeding. Applicants must work with a Natural England adviser and follow agreed plans.

Who can apply

Land managers in England with arable, fallow, temporary grassland or restorable permanent grassland sites must apply with a Natural England adviser. Sites must have good potential for habitat creation or restoration, e.g. soil phosphate index below 2 for species-rich grassland.

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Funding

From £19k

Deadline

December 31, 2026

Opens

May 22, 2026

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Eligibility criteria

You can only use this item with the support of your Natural England adviser to create or restore grassland habitat on arable or fallow land, temporary grassland, or permanent grassland you can restore to a habitat of high environmental value by reseeding, over sowing or planting.
The site must have good potential to create or restore the habitat – check your chosen base action for an explanation of 'good potential'. For species-rich grassland, this usually means it has a soil phosphate index below 2.
You must establish a suitable sward for the grassland habitat by the method agreed in writing with your adviser.
You must follow your implementation plan or feasibility study (if applicable).
You must manage any areas of soil compaction (if needed) before grassland establishes.
You must control weeds and establish the sward by regular cutting or other methods in the first year or 2 years after planting seeds or plants – you’ll agree this in writing with your adviser.
You must not damage historic or archaeological features.

GR1: Create or restore grassland habitat

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