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 QHNL Joint Action Committee (JAC), Natural England, representatives from the farming and land management community, and landscape and biodiversity specialists.

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​​How to apply

We are now accepting applications for the final year of the programme.  Get in touch with Helen to discuss your project - she will help you to prepare your application and advise on upcoming deadlines.

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Helen Richardson, Landscape Projects Officer:

 

               fiplquantockhills@somerset.gov.uk 

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               07980 666183

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Application documents:

• Guidance notes for applications

• Application form 

• Application VAT declaration

• Application project costs table

• Application checklist

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​​Applications for less than £5,000 will be decided upon by a senior member of the National Landscape Team (who has no prior knowledge of the project). Applications for over £5,000 will be judged by a Local Assessment Panel, which meets every 6-8 weeks.

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Who can apply

FiPL is open to all farmers and land managers (including from the private, public and charity sectors) in the Quantock Hills National Landscape, or on land outside the boundary where the activities will benefit the QHNL or further our Management Plan objectives. You can see the boundary by visiting the MAGIC mapping website. Click on ‘map layers’ symbol at top left of page, select ‘designations’, ‘land-based designations’, 'statutory' and finally ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty England’.

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You must manage all land included in the project area, or have written permission from the landowner for your activities. 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.

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.

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You may apply even if you have not been eligible for government agri-environment schemes previously. You do not have to be registered with the Rural Payments Agency, and there is no minimum holding size.

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What FiPL can fund

FiPL can support a broad range of activities and provide both revenue and capital funding. The fund will pay for projects that, in the opinion of the Local Assessment Panel, provide value for money and meet at least one of the outcomes listed below, under four themes:

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​The Programme works 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.

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FiPL funded projects

In the first 4 years of the Programme, QHNL have supported 73 projects and awarded over £800,000 in FiPL grants. This year we just over £185,000 to allocate and are very interested in meeting new applicants and developing new projects. 

Follow the links at the bottom of this page to read case studies of some of our projects, and you can also download a full summary of all grant awards here. 

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FiPL is a national programme, and you might like to see what's been funded in other protected landscapes for inspiration. Reports are published annually celebrating the Programme nationally, and showcasing projects from across England:

• Year 1 Report

• Year 2 Report

• Year 3 Report

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