BN1: Stone-faced bank repair Grant

About this grant

BN1: Stone-faced bank repair is a capital grant item under Natural England's Capital Grants 2026 programme that provides funding to repair stone-faced banks (also called hedgebanks) on agricultural land. The grant supports the restoration of traditional landscape features that help control livestock and conserve the character of upland and boundary areas. Eligible applicants must repair stone-faced banks back to their original height and profile using traditional construction methods, including hand-stripping of loose stone, use of original or locally-matched replacement stone, and careful course-building with proper backfilling and compaction. The work must follow specific technical specifications including creating a slight slope (batter) on each face, staggering joints, incorporating tie stones, and finishing the top with large flat stones, vertical stones, or turf according to local tradition. Applicants must also protect original features such as creep holes, restore stiles and gates, and remove surplus materials upon completion.

Eligibility

Applicants must have management control of both sides of the boundary where the stone-faced bank repair will take place. The repair is only eligible where less than 50% of the original height needs rebuilding. Applicants cannot use this item if they have received funding in the last 7 years to maintain the same section of stone-faced bank with Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) management action BND2. The item is available as part of Capital Grants 2026 or as part of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) applications, and applicants must follow the relevant guidance for their scheme. Work cannot be carried out between 1 March and 31 August if the bank is topped by a hedge.

Key requirements

• ✓Eligible land must qualify under Natural England's scheme criteria
• ✓Stone-faced bank repair work must meet specified standards and requirements
• ✓Applicants must demonstrate eligibility and intent to undertake the repair work

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for BN1: Stone-faced bank repair?

Eligibility covers organisations in GB; local-authority, nonprofit, individual, community-group. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Biodiversity funding backs habitat restoration, species protection, protected areas and nature-positive business. It comes from environment agencies, multilateral nature funds and conservation philanthropy, often through competitive calls with defined regions. Applicants are usually asked for baseline surveys, local partners and indicators that show ecological change.