Farming in Protected Landscapes
To support farmers and land managers protecting the special and unique places that are our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Defra have launched the Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme. The programme will provide funding to farmers and land managers for projects that support nature recovery, mitigate the impacts of climate change, provide opportunities for people to engage with the landscape and cultural heritage and support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses.
What is Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL)?
The Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme is designed to help Farmers and Landowners within each of the 44 protected landscapes in England, both National Parks and National Landscapes, to deliver projects that support nature recovery, climate change mitigation, improve landscape character and give people more opportunities to access and understand the landscape. ​
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The programme opened on 1st July 2021 and will close on 31st March 2025. Applications can be for a single year or across more than one year as long as all works will be completed by 31st March 2025. This funding is open to all farmers and land managers within the Quantock Hills National Landscape, and projects outside the boundary if they can be shown to bring benefit to the National Landscape.
Applications are invited covering four themes; Climate, Nature, People and Place, and can target all themes or just one. We are now accepting applications for Year four (2024/2025).
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The programme is being delivered locally by the Quantock Hills National Landscape Team who will be able to advise on the criteria and the requirements for a successful project, while ensuring there will be no issues with double funding.
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Download more information about Farming in Protected Landscapes (PDF)
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Farming in Protected Landscapes newsletter (PDF)
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Developing your project
Get in touch with our Farming in Protected Landscapes team by contacting Katie Read, Landscape Project Officer on katie.read@somerset.gov.uk or by calling 07977 412249. She can arrange a site visit to discuss and advise on your project ideas.
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It is important that your project targets at least one of the four themes of the Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme as well as the Quantock Hills Management Plan and local priorities.
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How to apply
There are regular funding rounds throughout the year and our Landscape Project Officer will be able to advise on the most appropriate round for your application. It is aa good idea to speak to our Landscape Project Officer early about your application and project as they will be able to help you develop your project so it stand the best chance of being successful.
Applications for less than £5,000 will be decided upon by a senior member of the National Landscapes Team (who has no prior knowledge of the project).
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Applications for over £5,000 will be judged by a Local Assessment Panel. This kind of system has been used locally before for the Greater Quantock Landscape Development Fund.
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The Local Assessment Panel is made up of 8 to 12 people including representatives from the Quantock Hills Partnership, Natural England, representatives from the farming and land management community, and landscape and biodiversity specialists. We expect that the panel will meet to make decisions every 6 to 8 weeks.​
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Application documents:
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Farming in Protected Landscapes projects
In our first two years we have supported 31 projects and awarded approx £180,000 to support projects bringing benefits to climate, nature, people and place. The work is ongoing, but as projects are completed we'll showcase some of the most innovative. You can follow the links here to find all of our projects supported to date.
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Nationally at the end of the second year of the programme, 2,400 projects have been approved, with over 5,000 farmers engaged in FiPL. For all the details and case studies from around England's protected landscapes click on the links below.​
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