Pictured: Stephen Locke 

A West Midlands firm of chartered surveyors will be working alongside government environmentalists to help build a framework for future farm conservation in the region.

As agents registered to provide Farm Environment Plans - a structured survey of all environmental features on a farm - Berrys works closely with Natural England on a regular basis. The firm has now been invited to discuss potential new Higher Level Stewardship Schemes (HLS) in Warwickshire and Worcestershire to determine conservation priorities for 2013/2014.

"Natural England has produced a draft pipeline of holdings that they consider a priority to be progressed for 2013/14 HLS agreements," explained Stephen Locke who leads Berrys' environment team at Shrewsbury.

"We have already put forward a number of potential Higher Level Schemes for our clients and if farmers have land that they would like to promote for HLS they need to submit proposals to Natural England now.

"To facilitate the discussion process it is important that land is assessed against county targets, and as demand for HLS is very high, applicants must stay focused on the highest environmental priorities and habitats," he explained.

Responses need to be with Natural England by mid February 2012.  If the Holding is likely to be a priority then Natural England must agree whether the application would be progressed 'fast track', 'standard' or 'complex'  as per the three tier application system.

"They also need to agree a timeline for the application, including an application submission date and a start date. These will need to be adhered to as far as is reasonably possible," he added.

Farmer and landowners with land that might be suitable for Higher Level Stewardship should contact Stephen Locke or Mandy Seedhouse at Berrys for advice on preparing and submitting a scheme before the deadline. Telephone 01743 271697 or email stephen.locke@berrybros.com

For more information about Berrys, please visit their website here: www.berrybros.com