AC1: Access capital items
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-03)

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the access capital items item.

This item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Capital Grants 2025 guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-tier-capital-grants-2025) to understand the rules and how to apply. If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the CSHT applicant’s guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht) to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

Up to 100% of actual costs.

How this item benefits the environment

This item will:
- encourage greater public access to the countryside and woodland
- support a better understanding of farming and food production
Where you can use this item

You can either use this item to:
- install new infrastructure to increase and improve public access to the countryside and woodland
- install capital items which support educational access visits (such as toilets, washbasins or classrooms)
- reduce environmental damage caused by public access for example by installing information boards
- improve existing access structures by replacing with accessible gates
You cannot use this item:
- where you have a legal obligation to provide structures for public access to your land
- to maintain existing access structures
What you must do to use this item

You must:
- agree a detailed specification with Natural England or the Forestry Commission
- provide at least 3 written quotations to complete the work including associated costings with your application
- agree the selected quotation with Natural England or the Forestry Commission (whichever is the relevant responsible body)
- create, install and complete the works according to the agreed specification and timescale
You must not carry out any construction work related to the item unless you have approval from the responsible body.

Your adviser will adapt the requirements for this item to your site. You should discuss and agree these requirements with them.

If you have an existing agreement, you must continue to follow the specifications in that agreement.

Evidence you must keep

You must keep and provide with your claim:
- receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is not available
- photographs of the completed work
- detailed specification document
- copies of any planning or other permissions
You must also keep and provide on request:
- any other consents or permissions connected with the work
- evidence of demand and need for the access capital item, for example documentation from supporters, potential users and partner organisations
- photographs of site before works start
Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agreement-holders-guide-capital-grants-higher-tier-capital-grants-and-protection-and-infrastructure-grants-2025) for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht). $E

Other items, actions and options you can use with this item

You can use with capital item VED1: Educational access visits (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/ved1-educational-access-visits)

Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier actions

You can use this item with these actions:

CPAC1: Open access (https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cpac1-open-access)

CPAC2: Access for people with reduced mobility (https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cpac2-access-for-people-with-reduced-mobility)

CPAC3: Bridleway and cycle route access (https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cpac3-bridleway-and-cycle-route-access)

CPAC4: Footpath access (https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cpac4-footpath-access)

CPAC5: Upgrading Countryside and Rights of Way ‘open access land’ and public rights of way for cyclists and horse riders (https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cpac5-upgrading-countryside-and-rights-of-way-open-access-land-and-public-rights-of-way-for-cyclists-and-horse-riders)

CPAC6: Upgrading Countryside and Rights of Way ‘open access land’ and public rights of way for people with reduced mobility (https://www.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cpac6-upgrading-countryside-and-rights-of-way-open-access-land-and-public-rights-of-way-for-people-with-reduced-mobility)

Countryside Stewardship option

You can use this item with Countryside Stewardship option ED1: Educational access (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/educational-access-ed1)