Calling all Cambridge sources, Euston, Brettenham and Fowlmere catchment farmers!
Introducing the SPRING 2 Environmental Protection Scheme
SPRING 2 is a new Environmental Protection Scheme set up by South Staffs and Cambridge Water to help farmers explore catchment-friendly land management.
Under the scheme, farmers in the priority catchments (see below for further details) will be able to apply for a grant of up to £15,000 per farm – towards the costs of voluntary on-farm infrastructural improvements and land management options designed to protect the environment and improve water quality.
We are currently working in the following catchments and areas, farmers within these catchments are eligible to apply for a SPRING 2 grant:
Examples of improvements which might qualify for a grant are shown in the following table:
|
Capital Option |
Cost |
Non-Capital Option |
|
|
Pesticide sprayer washdown/handling area (m2) |
£40.00 |
4 - 6m buffer on cultivated land (ha) |
£452.00 |
|
Lined biobeds (m2) |
£75.00 |
12 - 24m watercourse buffer on cultivated land (ha) |
£613.00 |
|
Pesticide biofilter (m2) |
£980.00 |
Take field corner out of management (ha) |
£400.00 |
|
Roofing for sprayer washdown area (m2) |
£70.00 |
Catch crops/cover crops (over winter) (ha) |
£130.00 |
|
Post & wire (inc. posts) (m) |
£5.50 |
Catch crops/cover crops (over winter) (ha) |
£130.00 |
|
Gate (inc. posts) (m) |
£200.00 |
Livestock and machinery hardcore tracks (m) |
£42.00 |
|
Gateway relocation (per unit) |
£320.00 |
Rainwater goods (m) |
£12.00 |
|
Resurfacing gateways (per unit) |
£130.00 |
Arable reversion into grassland (ha) |
£326.00 |
|
Hard base for livestock drinkers (per unit) |
£200.00 |
Undersown spring cereal |
£300.00 |
|
Livestock troughs (per unit) |
£150.00 |
Maize undersowing (ha) |
£120.00 |
|
Concrete yard renewal (m2) |
£30.00 |
Hedge planting |
£15.00 |
|
|
|
Herbal lay |
£115.00 |
|
|
|
Legume fallow |
£593.00 |
How to get involved
SPRING 2 is open to both arable and livestock farmers.
To register your interest in the scheme, please download and complete the application form below.
Any applications and questions can be sent to Nina.
Download and complete our application form
Please read our SPRING Ranking System explanation to understand how make decisions on certain options available through SPRING as part of our application process.
Meet the team
Nina Yiannoukos-Benton MSc BSc (Hons) MBPR (Assoc)
Catchment Projects Manager
Email: ninayiannoukos-benton@south-staffs-water.co.uk
Phone: 07341 734293
Nina has been with us since January 2016. She leads on the design and implementation of catchment management.
Nina has a degree in Geography and Environmental Management, a Masters in Environmental Consultancy, and is qualified in BASIS Soil and Water Management and Foundation in Agronomy. Nina previously completed a placement Thames Water's Catchment Team, researching the reduction of agricultural diffused pollution in relation to different agricultural practices.
Erin Green
Catchment Scientist
Erin joined us in September 2022. Her role is to assess and manage possible risks to water quality across our catchment.
Prior to joining the business, Erin completed an undergraduate degree in physical geography. Her studies saw her regularly use GIS (geographic information system) alongside fieldwork to investigate the physical environment. This included mapping land use to completing risk assessments, including within the field of hydrology.
Allanagh Betts
Catchment Advisor
Allanagh joined us in August 2023. Her role is to work on the implementation of catchment management. Allanagh graduated from the University of Nottingham gaining a BSc(Hons) in Environmental Biology where her dissertation focused on a river catchment dairy farm and its impact on water quality.
Ben Hawkins
Catchment Advisor
Ben joined the Catchment team in January 2025. Originally from West Wales, Ben grew up on a small mixed farm. From there, he has always wanted to pursue a career in helping the environment. In 2016, he undertook a degree in conservation and sustainable land management whilst running his own beef and dairy enterprises. Over the years, he has deepened his expertise in regenerative farming, combining practical experience with a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Sarah Sanderson
Catchment Projects Officer
Sarah is our Catchment Projects Officer, leading biodiversity enhancing projects such as the PEBBLE scheme and our commitment to chalk stream restoration. Sarah has a BSc in Zoology with Conservation from Bangor University and an MSc in Conservation Science and Policy from the University of Exeter. She is passionate about landscape restoration and recovery, but in a way that works with people holistically to allow both humans and nature to flourish.
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