Farming in Protected Landscapes
Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) is a grant funding programme for farmers and land managers in National Parks and National Landscapes across England until March 2029.
The programme has been developed by Defra, and is being delivered locally through the Dartmoor National Park Authority.
Through the programme, farmers and land managers can be supported to carry out projects that support nature recovery, mitigate the impacts of climate change, provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and cultural heritage, or support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses.
This is a programme of funding for one-off projects covering these areas of work, not an agri-environment scheme.
FiPL cannot fund multi-year projects, all projects for 2026-27 must be fully completed by March 2027.
Eligibility
Who
- The programme is open to farmers and land managers from the private, public and charity sector. 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
- The land where the proposed project will take place must be within the Dartmoor National Park boundary or on land where the project supports priorities identified in the National Park Partnership Plan.
- You must manage all of 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.
- Common land is eligible for support. You can apply as a landowner with sole rights, or as a group of commoners acting together.
What
- Applications must be for one-off projects and not activities funded through agri-environment schemes or other dedicated funds relevant to the project outcomes (e.g. Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF))
- Projects must deliver against at least one of the FiPL Programme outcomes: Climate, Nature, People and Place
- The project must deliver against priorities identified in the Dartmoor National Park Partnership Plan
- Project must be deliverable by 31 March 2027
The Four FiPL Outcomes:
The FiPL programme can help fund projects that result in at least one of the below four Outcomes, as well as show evidence of deliverability, legacy and value for money:
Climate
Examples of ways FiPL projects may address the ‘climate’ theme include:
- introducing outcome-focussed regenerative farming practices
- undertaking a ‘farm carbon audit’ and committing to a site-specific ‘action plan’ for change
- reducing carbon emissions, cutting farm fuel use or reducing inputs such as fertiliser, concentrates and feed
- natural flood management initiatives to reduce flood risk and ‘slow the flow’
- habitat creation or habitat restoration works that enable more carbon to be stored and/or sequestered, e.g. soil improvements, hedgerow planting, peat restoration
- any other measures that make the landscape more resilient to climate change
Nature
Examples of ways FiPL can support nature, habitat and species recovery include:
- creating and maintaining habitats to support priority species e.g. Curlew, Marsh-fritillary, Greater Horseshoe Bat, Dormice etc.
- restoring and managing priority habitats such as upland hay meadows, blanket bog, ancient and native woodland, native species hedgerow, Rhôs pasture
- increasing connectivity between fragmented habitats to provide ecological corridors that support organisms including pollinators, birds and mammals
- better management of existing habitats for priority species, including creating wetter areas and ponds
- any measures that result in an overall increase in biodiversity
People
Examples of ways FiPL can increase opportunities for people to explore, understand and connect with the landscape, with positive effects on individuals’ health and wellbeing include:
- creating permissive access routes, or upgrading rights of way from footpaths to other uses, replacing infrastructure such as stiles with accessible gates to enable more diverse use
- providing opportunities to explore, enjoy and understand the landscape and increasing public engagement in land management e.g. through volunteering and farm open days
- measures and activities that engage under-represented groups with farming and the countryside and increase diversity of visitor profile
- establishing care farming programmes and facilitating group visits that address social needs
- establishing farm visits or on-farm volunteering programmes
- any measures that result in enhancement of the public’s understanding and engagement with the special qualities of Dartmoor
Place
Examples of ways FiPL can help to conserve or enhance the special qualities of Dartmoor, or that provide an insight into the cultural heritage of Dartmoor include:
- restoration or creation of a flower-rich traditional upland hay meadows and orchards
- conservation and enhancement of historic features, e.g. works to protect stone rows, reaves, hut circles, leats and boundary stones
- on-site interpretation (design, signage, materials etc.) of heritage or landscape features to enhance public understanding
- maintenance of features associated with landscape character e.g. maintaining stock-proof drystone walls for ongoing agricultural practices outside of available funding through Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants
- any activity that increases the resilience of nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses, which in turn contributes to a more thriving local economy
Applicant Advice and Guidance
- Read and identify how your project idea meets the FiPL Outcomes listed above, and the priorities identified in the Dartmoor National Park Partnership Plan
- Please read Dartmoor's short Guidance for Applicants and Applicant Checklist
- Read DEFRA's full Guidance for Applicants
- Submit a FiPL Enquiry Form
- Wait for a member of the FiPL team to get in touch
Please also consider how your project idea contributes towards the following national targets and outcomes:
30by30 on land in England criteria
Protected Landscapes Target and Outcomes framework
In the first instance please submit a FiPL Enquiry Form outlining your project proposal. Please do not submit an application without speaking to a member of the team. If you have a project idea or have any questions, please email fipl@dartmoor.gov.uk.
Before you apply for your project, you must make sure that you will be able to obtain all the consents and permissions required for your project. You, as the applicant, are responsible for arranging all relevant consents, permissions, exemptions and written advice needed for your application.
2. Project costings spreadsheet
FiPL in Action
Year 1: Farming in Protected Landscapes NPE report
Year 2: Farming in Protected Landscapes NPE report
Example projects
Find out what projects could be supported through Farming in Protected Landscapes
View examples of projectsLocal Assessment Panel
The FiPL Programme provides funding for activities that are not covered by other DEFRA grant schemes. This provides an opportunity for us to support bespoke and creative projects.
The programme offers small grants up to £10,000, and larger grants over £10,000.
Applications for less than £10,000 will be decided upon internally by the FiPL project officers.
Applications for over £10,000 will be considered by our Local Assessment Panel (LAP).
The Panel is made up of 8 to 12 members, including several representatives from the farming and land-owning community. Defra requested representatives from Dartmoor National Park Authority, Natural England, the Rural Payments Agency, and other local specialists.
Local Assessment Panel recruitment
| LAP minutes: 2021-2022 | LAP minutes: 2022-23 | LAP minutes: 2023-24 | LAP minutes: 2024-25 | LAP minutes: 2025-26 | LAP minutes: 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September, 2021 October, 2021 November, 2021 January, 2022 February, 2022 | April, 2022 | April, 2023 July, 2023 August, 2023 September, 2023 November, 2023 December, 2023 January, 2024 March 2024 | May, 2024 June, 2024 July, 2024 August, 2024 | June, 2025 |
Contact us
For further details regarding DNPA's transparency of funding, please refer to the Publication Scheme, Open Data, Funding and Accounts pages under the How We Work section of our website.
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.