Farming in Protected Landscapes is a grant scheme for farmers and land managers in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) across England.

The programme has been developed by Defra, and is being delivered locally through Dartmoor National Park Authority.

It aims to support farmers and land managers in carrying out projects that support the natural environment, mitigate the impacts of climate change, provide public access opportunities or support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses.

Farming in Protected Landscapes is running for three years from March 2021 until March 2024.

Eligibility

• The programme is open to all farmers and land managers from the private, public and charity sector.
• The land where the proposed project will take place must be within the Dartmoor National Park Boundary.
• You must manage all the land included in the application and have control of all the activities you’d like to undertake - or you must have written consent from all parties who have this management and control.
• Other organisations and individuals can apply, if the application is in collaboration with a farmer or land manager, or supports a farmer or a group of farmers.
• Common land is eligible for support. You can apply as a landowner with sole rights, or as a group of commoners acting together.

For more details on eligibility, please read the Guidance for Applicants document.

Farming in Protected Landscapes is not an agri-environment scheme, it is a programme of funding for one-off projects covering the below areas of work.

What the programme will pay for

The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme will pay for projects that provide value for money and result in at least one climate, nature, people or place outcome.

Climate

• More carbon is stored and/or sequestered
• Flood risk is reduced
• Farmers, land managers and the public better understand what different habitats and land uses can store carbon and reduce carbon emissions
• The landscape is more resilient to climate change

Nature

• There is a greater area of habitat improved for biodiversity.
• There is an increase in biodiversity.
• There is greater connectivity between habitats.
• Existing habitat is better managed.

People

• There are more opportunities for people to explore, enjoy and understand the landscape.
• There are more opportunities for more diverse audiences to explore, enjoy and understand the landscape.
• There is greater public engagement in land management, such as through volunteering.
• Farmers and land managers feel increasingly comfortable with providing public goods.

Place

• The quality and character of the landscape is reinforced or enhanced.
• Historic structures and features are conserved, enhanced or interpreted more effectively.
• There is an increase in farm business resilience.

In addition to this, your project must help to deliver at least one of the objectives in the Dartmoor National Park Partnership Plan.

Payment rates

The Programme will work alongside – not in competition with – Defra’s existing and new schemes, adding value where it is most needed. If a potential project can be rewarded through those schemes instead, you will be made aware of them.

If an activity is equivalent to one under Countryside Stewardship (CS), the Programme payment rate will be the same as the CS rate. If not, we will base Programme funding offers on the projected costs of an activity (with final payments made against evidenced costs).

Applying for funding

Before applying, please fill out an Expression of Interest form. We encourage anyone who is interested in applying to do this, so that the Farming in Protected Landscapes team at the Dartmoor National Park can advise on your application. A member of the team will then contact you to discuss your proposal.

We are currently accepting enquiries and applications for year 2 (2022/23) and year 3 (2023/24) of the Farming in Protected Landscape programme.

How to apply

Contact us

If you want to discuss your application or have any questions, please contact the Farming in Protected Landscapes team by email at fipl@dartmoor.gov.uk, or call 01626 832093 and ask to speak with a member of the team.