Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme Agreements (England)
type: Dataset
description: Master versions of ESA holding data. The Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme was introduced in 1987 to offer incentives to encourage farmers to adopt agricultural practices which would safeguard and enhance parts of the country of particularly high landscape, wildlife or historic value. The scheme has now closed to new applicants. Defra introduced a new Environmental Stewardship Scheme on 3 March 2005 which supersedes (with enhancements) the Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Countryside Stewardship Schemes. There are 22 ESAs in England, covering some 10% of agricultural land. Attribution statement: © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right [year].
description: Dataset holding master records of agreements made under the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) Scheme in England, introduced in 1987 to encourage farmers to adopt practices that safeguard landscapes, wildlife, and historic features of particular value. The scheme covered 22 ESAs across roughly 10% of England's agricultural land and closed to new applicants after being superseded by the Environmental Stewardship Scheme, launched by Defra on 3 March 2005. Maintained by Natural England, the data includes Ordnance Survey information under Crown copyright and database rights, and is attributed to Natural England and Crown copyright.
spatial: GBR
keyword: environment
keyword: culture
access rights: PUBLIC
issued: 2026-06-29T11:21:42.582Z
modified: 2026-08-16T03:50:07.692Z
is part of: catalog

Environment Agency
type: Organization