Farming in Protected Landscapes
The Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme (FiPL) is funded by Defra and supports farmers and land managers in National Landscapes and National Parks to deliver 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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FiPL launched in July 2021 and, following a further extension, will end in March 2026. It is a programme of one-off funding for bespoke projects that target the core programme themes of Climate, Nature, People and Place, and also address the Quantock Hills Management Plan Priorities.
FiPL is delivered locally in each protected landscape: there are dedicated staff to support applicants in developing projects and preparing applications, and a Local Assessment Panel comprising representatives from the Quantock Hills National Landscape Joint Action Committee (JAC), Natural England, representatives from the farming and land management community, and landscape and biodiversity specialists.
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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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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
We are now accepting applications for the final year of the programme. Get in touch with our Farming in Protected Landscapes Officer, Helen Richardson at helen.richardson@somerset.gov.uk or by calling 07980 666183.
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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