The Defra-funded Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme in Cranborne Chase National Landscape is open for applications
Farming in Protected Landscapes is a programme of funding for one-off projects covering these areas of work, not an agri-environment scheme.
- You can submit applications at any time between now and January 2025. The team is always available for a chat to discuss your project ideas.
- The next application submission deadline to make the upcoming Local Assessment Panel (for applications requesting £10,000 and more) will be the start of April 2024.
Farming in Protected Landscapes Success Stories
To date, the FiPL programme in Cranborne Chase National Landscape has awarded more than £1.1 million to local farmers and land managers across the National Landscape. See some of the achievements from the programme…
Bringing Back the Great Bustard to Cranborne Chase
Learn how the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme in Cranborne Chase National Landscape has supported the Great Bustard Group in its mission to reintroduce this vulnerable bird.
The purchase of a thermal imaging drone, supported by FiPL, has enabled the group to detect nesting Bustards, protecting them from silage cutting and helping to restore viable populations in Wiltshire.
FiPL Supporting Cranborne Chase Farmer Cluster
See how Cranborne Chase Farmer Cluster has been supported by Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) funding to deliver a range of projects, including the creation of new wildlife habitats and improved the ability of people to access the countryside.
Thank you to the Great Bustard Group, Cranborne Chase Farmer Cluster and Shooting Reels for their support in the production of these films.
See a summary of the 2021-2023 projects happening across Cranborne Chase National Landscape
Since the opening of applications in 2021, farmers and land managers have embraced the programme and have created some fantastic projects:
Read up on some of the projects that have happened during the first year of the project on our Chalkeboard Blog.
Farming in Protected Landscapes
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.
Eligibility
The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme is open to all farmers and land managers – or where activity on the ground can bring benefit to one or more of those areas.
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, as long as they do this in collaboration with a farmer or land manager, or in support of a farmer or group of farmers.
Common land is eligible for support through the Programme. You can apply as a landowner with sole rights, or as a group of commoners acting together.
The programme supports activity on any land within Cranborne Chase National Landscape. It can also support activity on other land where projects can demonstrate benefit to this area. Most of the funding will probably be provided to projects within the AONB boundary.
You can see the boundary by visiting the MAGIC mapping website. Click on ‘designations’, ‘land-based designations’ and then ‘Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty England.’
What the Programme will pay for
The Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme will pay for projects that, in the opinion of the Local Assessment Panel (see ‘Application assessment’ below) provide value for money and meet at least one of the outcomes listed below, under four themes.
Climate outcomes
- 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 outcomes
- 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 outcomes
- 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 outcomes
- 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
Your project must also help to deliver at least one of the objectives of the Cranborne Chase AONB Management Plan.
The top priorities for Cranborne Chase National Landscape are available here:
Payment rates
If an applicant will not make a commercial gain through a project, they could receive up to 100% of the costs.
Where an applicant would benefit commercially from a project, they could receive between 40% and 80% of the costs through the Programme, depending on how much commercial benefit the project will give them.
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).
Maintenance agreements
Capital infrastructure assets (including, but not limited to, fences, gates, building restoration), should be maintained for 5 years from the date of completion.
Machinery assets (for example a brush harvester for grassland restoration) should be maintained for 5 years from the date of purchase.
The requirement to maintain natural, cultural and access activities delivered as part of the Programme will cease no later than 1 April 2025.
How to apply
We are open to receive enquiries for the programme using our enquiry form. Please email completed forms to celinemills@cranbornechase.org.uk
Funding will be awarded to successful applicants throughout the programme, so you should submit your application as soon as it is ready.
More information
FIPL Officers from Cranborne Chase and Dorset National Landscapes hosted a webinar for advisers in October 2023 which gives an overview of remaining funds and programme priorities at that time.
Watch the recording of the webinar: FiPL Webinar for advisers for Dorset & Cranborne Chase National Landscapes on YouTube
Look at a record of the Q&A asked at the webinar: Q&A FiPL Webinar October 2023 PDF
Please find below a sample application form so you can see what is required. You need to speak to the Farming in Protected Landscapes team at Cranborne Chase National Landscape or fill out our enquiry form before progressing with any application.
Please also find the Annex A spreadsheet below for reference:
Multi-year awards are possible for longer projects. All projects must be completed by 31 March 2025.
Before applying, please contact the Cranborne Chase National Landscape team who are in the process of recruiting to provide support for farmers and land managers in this process.
We expect to hold information sessions and will offer site-visits to help support applications.
Application assessment
Applications for over £10,000 will be judged by a Local Assessment Panel. This kind of system has been used before by the team at Cranborne Chase National Landscape.
The Local Assessment Panel is made up of 8 to 12 people. It includes representatives from Cranborne Chase National Landscape, Natural England, those from the farming and land management community, and local specialists.
The Panel meets to make decisions on submitted FiPL applications every 6 to 8 weeks.
Applications for less than £10,000 may be decided upon by a senior member of the National Landscape team (who has no prior knowledge of the project).
More information and team contacts
Please get in touch with the team at anytime to discuss your applications or project ideas:
- Celine Mills, Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme Support Officer – celinemills@cranbornechase.org.uk or 01725 517417
If you have any further enquiries please call the office on 01725 517417.
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CRANBORNE CHASE NATIONAL LANDSCAPE – JANUARY 2024
