We didn't think it was worth bothering for our 15 acres, plus the forms confused me.
we've bought some more land and decided to look into the stewardship scheme.
just last week we went to see an estate agent that deals in rural properties, she was very efficient, told us clearly what was involved, arranged the entitlements to buy, we should get our money back this year and then another payment next year, then the scheme may alter or run another year, but in theory we should double our money.
On checking for the stewardship it turns out someone is claiming on our original 10 acres, presumably the chap who has it for summer grazing, as we haven't managed to talk to him yet, we don't know if he's claiming the SFP, so we couldn't buy the entitlements which would cover that field, very naughty of him to be claiming stewardship without our permission, esp as he does nothing for the field except leave his cattle on too long and poaches the ground round his feeder.
the cost of the legal work is expected to be about £300, but that's a one off- shouldn't need her again next year (until I see any more paperwork then I'll be yelling for help)