Detailed guide: BPS 2018

Updated: We’ve added updated guidance about land cover eligibility checks on common land.

Latest news

Commons eligibility checks

We’ve published updated guidance about land cover eligibility checks on common land.

Hot and dry weather conditions in England

We’ve published guidance for farmers experiencing difficulties meeting rural grant and payment scheme requirements due to the recent hot and dry weather conditions.

BPS applications are closed

You can no longer make a BPS application for 2018.

Rural Payments service

Some parts of the service are unavailable, so you cannot make changes which may affect your 2018 application. Read more about what you can do using the Rural Payments service.

Countryside Stewardship

Apply for the Countryside Stewardship (CS) Arable Offer. Find out more about the Arable Offer on GOV.UK.

Wet weather derogation announced

George Eustice, Minister of State, announced in May a relaxation (derogation) of the crop diversification rules following wet weather. Read more information about the derogation.

Scheme rules and other guidance

Other guidance and forms:

Continuation booklets (for paper applications):

Payment queries from previous years

If you have a query about a previous BPS payment that you’ve received, please fill in a BPS payment query form and send it to RPA. Then carry on with your 2018 application, declaring your land as it is on 15 May 2018.

Commons eligibility checks

Read everything you need to know about land cover eligibility checks on common land.

Rural Payments service

You can use the Rural Payments service to:

  • register for rural payments
  • update your personal and business details
  • give someone else (like an agent) permission to act on your behalf
  • view your BPS 2018 application summary
  • view your BPS entitlements
  • view and print digital maps of your land parcels
  • view your previous year’s claim
  • apply for Countryside Stewardship, including the Arable Offer.

At the moment you cannot:

  • transfer entitlements
  • transfer or remove land
  • edit land use online
  • add or delete commons rights
  • apply for BPS

Forgotten your online password?

If you’re logging in with a Customer Reference Number (CRN) and have forgotten your password, you can create a new one from the sign-in page.

Click ‘Having trouble signing in?’ then ‘create a new one’.

If you can’t remember your CRN, call RPA on 03000 200 301.

How to use the Rural Payments service – help is available

Onscreen ‘Help’ in the service to guide you if you get stuck. Or you can read and print a copy of all the
onscreen Help
(PDF, 2.39MB, 52 pages)

Our videos also show you how to use the service.

Planned maintenance of the Rural Payments service

There are times when the Rural Payments service is unavailable because of essential planned maintenance and updates.
Check Rural Payments: registering and updating your details to keep up to date about availability of the Rural Payments service.

Contact RPA




Decision: Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm Order 2014 – variation 2

On 26 April 2017 and 26 July 2017, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) received requests from DONG Energy Walney Extension (UK) Limited to vary the Deemed Marine Licences (DMLs) contained within Schedule 9 (generation assets) and Schedule 10 (transmission assets) of the Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm Order 2014.

Following consultation with relevant stakeholders the MMO has now completed its consideration of the request and, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 72(3)(d) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, has determined to make the variations as detailed in the attached draft documents.




Notice: LN11 7EX, Egdon Resources UK Limited: environmental permit application advertisement EPR/XP3839MU/V004

The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement

These notices explain:

  • what the application is about
  • where you can visit to see the application documents
  • when you need to comment by

The Environment Agency will decide:

  • whether to grant or refuse the application
  • what conditions to include in the permit (if granted)



Notice: LN3 4HZ, Cirque Energy (UK) Limited: environmental permit application advertisement

The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement

These notices explain:

  • what the application is about
  • where you can visit to see the application documents
  • when you need to comment by

The Environment Agency will decide:

  • whether to grant or refuse the application
  • what conditions to include in the permit (if granted)



Notice: NG22 0PN, Onshore Oilfield Services Limited: environmental permit application advertisement

The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement

These notices explain:

  • what the application is about
  • where you can visit to see the application documents
  • when you need to comment by

The Environment Agency will decide:

  • whether to grant or refuse the application
  • what conditions to include in the permit (if granted)