BN7: Hedgerow gapping-up Grant

About this grant

BN7: Hedgerow gapping-up is a capital grant item that funds the planting of native shrubs to fill gaps in existing hedgerows. The grant addresses the fragmentation of hedgerow boundaries and aims to rejuvenate hedgerows by creating continuous boundaries that provide new habitat and food sources for bees, pollinators, and birds, while helping capture carbon. Applicants must carry out work during the dormant season (November to March), prepare a planting strip at least 1.5m wide with good soil conditions, clear existing vegetation, protect new plantings from livestock damage through fencing, and replace any failed plants in the following season. The item funds the gapping-up work only on hedgerow gaps being planted, not the total length of hedgerow, and supports biodiversity recovery, air quality, and water quality improvements.

Eligibility

Applicants must have management control of both sides of the boundary. The hedgerow must consist of planted boundary lines of shrubs that are at least 20m long, less than 5m wide between major woody stems at the base, and made up of at least 80% native shrubs. The item cannot be used on hedgerow gaps greater than 20m in length (use BN11 instead), on lengths of hedge managed under Countryside Stewardship option BE3, or where entry points to open access land would be obstructed. Applicants must follow Capital Grants 2026 guidance rules and, if applying through Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, must read the CSHT applicant's guide.

Key requirements

• ✓Eligible land must be in England and meet Natural England's baseline requirements
• ✓Hedgerow gapping-up work must follow Natural England's specifications for planting and establishment
• ✓Applicants must demonstrate commitment to long-term management and maintenance of planted hedgerows

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for BN7: Hedgerow gapping-up?

Eligibility covers organisations in GB; local-authority, nonprofit, charity, 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.