Higher Level Stewardship (HLS)

Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), which will be combined with ELS or OELS options, aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority situations and areas. HLS is discretionary and concentrates on the more complex types of management, where land managers need advice and support and where agreements need to be tailored to local circumstances.

Key Features of HLS

• The aim is to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority situations and areas.
• Usually combined with ELS or OELS options.
• More complex environmental management where land managers need advice and support.
• Payments relate to the options chosen.

Links and Documents

DEFRA Higher Level Stewardship overview

HLS handbook (online version)

HLS handbook (PDF)