Farming in Protected Landscapes programme webinar series

You may have heard about the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, launched by Defra in July 2021 and running until March 2024. Under it, farmers and land managers who work in (or next to) Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks can apply for funding for projects that:

• Support nature recovery
• Mitigate the impacts of climate change
• Provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand the landscape and its cultural heritage
• Support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses.

An introduction to the programme is given in the short video below and you can find further information here. We are holding a series of webinars to give farmers and land managers ideas for their own applications: recordings are available for the workshops in September and December 2021, and March 2022. We plan to run more webinars in the future, so if you’re not already on our mailing list sign up below using the box at the right-hand side of the page.

The first step in applying for FIPL funding is to contact your AONB (see menu above for contact details for each AONB) or National Park (click here for contact information).

The webinars included a Q&A session; below is a digest of some of the questions and answers. ‘PL’ is the abbreviation for Protected Landscape, which includes AONBs and National Parks. 

New to this forum, what is the minimum land size to be able to take part in this scheme? Is there a minimum acreage required to access funding / support?

The Farming in Protected Landscape programme is open to all farmers and land managers - the size of your holding does not matter. Please get in touch with the farm engagement lead in your Protected Landscape - details can be found at the end of this weblink https://www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-for-farmers-in-protected-landscapes 

How many pages long are the application forms & guidance documents? Does the funding cover building projects which align with FIPL objectives?

Application guidance is 12pp; form is 18pp. If this sounds daunting your PL team or another local adviser may be able to assist.  Building projects which align with the objectives are eligible.

I assume it will be a case by case scenario, but will baseline surveys be supported e.g. historic landscape surveys, baseline ecological surveys, bird counts etc?

Yes, baseline surveys are eligible, particularly where they will inform further action to deliver the FIPL objectives.

Please could there be some explanation of the funding structure? How much? For how long? Rules? Conditions?

Your local Protected Landscape team will be able to let you know the FIPL budget available in their area; the scheme ends 31st Mar '24; rules and conditions are described in the guidance but you'll also get help from your PL team.

What is the £5k threshold that was just mentioned?

If you are applying for less than £5k from FIPL, the decision process can be made by a Senior Protected Landscape organisation Officer and fast-tracked.

You mention £5k...is that p/year?? Is this the maximum?

This is not a maximum grant level from FIPL, it's the maximum grant level at which a decision can be fast-tracked.

I haven't looked into all the fine print yet - but was under the impression that woodland felling costs (i.e. ride creation) would only be paid at current CS rates e.g. £100/ha. This wouldn't cover even a large portion of the real cost of the ride creation. Could you clarify that this is the case please.

Where an activity has a direct CS equivalent, this is the rate that is offered.  If your activity differs from the CS prescription, there is a case for seeking 3 quotes to carry out the work.

Do we qualify if we are on the edge of an AONB or National Park?

Yes, land on the edge or near to the Protected Landscape (PL) is eligible as long as the proposed project delivers for the PL priorities or is part of a partnership project with the PL.  It is envisaged that the majority of the funding will go to land within the PL.

I was told some time ago by someone at my local AONB that large farmers needed their help as they were too busy, affectively as a small farmer who was not an NFU member, they had the mailing list, therefore I didn't matter. Is this still true?

The Farming in Protected Landscape programme is open to all farmers and land managers - the size of your holding does not matter. Please get in touch with the farm engagement lead in your Protected Landscape - details can be found at the end of this weblink https://www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-for-farmers-in-protected-landscapes 

The example FiPL talk had a high % funding compared to costs, when educational visits, scrub and tree management are Cs options. Some pre-application calculations have indicated a low grant compared to actual costs. Have others found this too?

Maximum intervention rates vary according to activity type.  Where an activity has a CS equivalent, this is the rate that is paid. Activities which have no commercial benefit can be supported at 100%, minor commercial benefit at 80% and a commercial project (which meets the objectives) at 40%.  All applications are subject to a value for money assessment; a greater beneficiary contribution may help, but your PL team can guide you.

We are a traditional hill farm sat ontop of a flat, limestone plateau; there are no rivers, trees or moorland on our farm - and I'm not aware that the Peak District National Park have relaxed their views on allowing tree planting if it affects historical stone walls etc. We are on a higher level agreement for our traditional hay meadows and have low numbers of livestock as a result. We sell 100% grass fed beef and lamb and hay not needed is sold. How would the advisors suggest we embrace the Protected Landscapes Project? Thank you.

Start here: https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/looking-after/living-and-working/farmers-land-managers ; seek guidance from Sue & team.  The PDNPA has prepared a Wooded Landscape Plan which sets out the ambition for "the right tree, in the right place for the right reason, this will be available on the website soon.  For historic wall patterns such as medieval strip field wall patterns woodland planting may not be appropriate but in boundar and/or in field trees are likely to be.  Again please take advice from your PL team.

Can and how can farmers charge for own time? I have an Higher level cs scheme and am farming 3 sssis. There is work that needs doing that no one else can pay for. Its needed doing for for 12 years.It will cost 20,000 is that a possibility.

A farmer/land manager cannot charge for their own time. Where appropriate, own labour can be used for self-delivery within a project and the applicant may use day rates and costings published in Nix Farm Handbook or the Agricultural Costings Book, but any rate must be comparative alongside other quotes.

Would an element of professional fees be paid as part of any FIPL Application?

Professional fees can be included as part of the project management of a project where this is appropriate and included as part of the competitive costs.

I would like to understand a little more about support for maintenance works beyond the initial capital spend work. For example, not just planting, but care; not just fencing of tricky areas, but ongoing scrub clearance of any site.

As FiPL is project-based then if there are maintenance requirements for the next 2 years - up to 31 March 2024 when the FiPL ends - then these could be included in the project costs.  If CS options and rates are being used then any maintenance requirements within the option guidance will need to be taken into account.

Please can you confirm that you do not need to have an SBI, ie. any land manager can apply even if they are not a registered farmer on RPA? So private landowners on land outside their residential curtilage can appy?

An SBI is not always required.  If there is an area of agricultural land which is not registered then the PL team may be able to help with getting the land regisered on the RLR if appropriate.

In addition to being a farmer within an AONB , I am also Chair of Parish council which owns extensive woodland and flood plain. Do public bodies such as parish councils qualify?

Yes for this type of land they should be eligible - but please check with your Protected Landscape.

Why is the funding paid through the AONB organisation? If the AONB organisation has particular views it may block applications which would pass easily in another AONB. Surely a National Scheme should have Nationally agreed criteria.

FiPL is being delivered through a Defra National Framework so it has national guidelines with the flexibility to deliver for local circumstances.

Does FiPL fund second-hand machinery?

FiPL is currently unable to fund secondhand machinery but we are looking at mechanisms for doing so with future scheme development.

How does it stand with stacking with private funding? E.G. hedge planting for nature in FIPL and private funding for carbon?

No project or part of a project can be double funded.  However appropriate match funding (not other Defra funding) may help with the value-for-money element of the scoring approach.

Are there any restrictions on the type of farming that can apply?

In principle no but we suggest that the exact type of farming proposed is discussed and checked with your PL team.

If fencing was first funded by the original CS but is now in a poor state and needs replacing, can FiPL fund it?

Replacement fencing, if previously grant aided under any scheme, is not normally eligible. Any exceptions judged by the FiPL officer would require strong justification as value for money to deliver the desired FiPL outcomes with no on-going maintenance requirement from the original funding.

Can community groups who don't own land apply for funding, e.g. for a number of wildlife nesting boxes for local school, village hall and sport centre buildings?

The land in question has to form part of the farmed environment or an agricultural holding, we also cannot fund land that is managed under statutory duties such as roadside verges, even where that management may be additional or enhancement such as for wildlife.  A 3rd party organisation (e.g. Wildlife Trust) could apply for e.g. nestboxes to be situated across a number of farmed holdings.

Are FIPL funds ringfenced per Protected Landscape? Why are some Protected Landscape bodies (Peak District) so much further down the line than others? We’ve heard nothing from our Nat Park Authority.

Current provisional allocations have been given to each PL.  Defra and the Core Working Group are seeing if some of the Year 1 allocations could be moved to Years 2 and 3 - hence the allocations are still provisional.  PL teams are at different stages of capacity to support FiPL - hopefully FiPL Officers will be in post shortly. Please bear with us!

We have a substanial victorian wall garden ( now in total disrepair and falling down ) connected to  a house with alot of significant historical history and a private chapel built in 1802. Are there any grants / funding available under Historic conservation please.

Cultural heritage features such as limekilns if they are part of a farmed holding are eligible.  Traditional farm buildings such as field barns may be eligible where they are part of a farmed holding however, as traditional barn restoration is potentially very high cost, it is worth talking to your local PL team to find out if the restoration of small scale traditional buildings or minor repairs to otherwise structually sound buildings is a high priority for the PL and likely to be scored favourably. 

Could the programme cover road verges or community owned land?

No, sorry. Land has to form part of the farmed environment or an agricultural holding, we also cannot fund land that is managed under statutory duties such as roadside verges, even where that management may be additional or enhancement such as for wildlife. 

Are we responsible for personally financing the project initially, then reclaiming expenses?

Capital items (and single intervention items, e.g. provision of advice/survey) would be paid for in arrears on completed activity. 
Management payments would be 50% in advance and 50% in arrears. 

Would the boundary and trough application not fit under CSS boundary grants & water capital grants?

Yes these items are available in CS. Any activity or item funded through FiPL that has an equivalent activity in another scheme or programme should clearly demonstrate why FiPL is the most appropriate programme for its delivery. PLs will be expected to pay the same payment and intervention rate. Where it is an equivalent item, FiPL cannot be used to fund a lower specification or fund something that would otherwise be ineligible.

How do you define a 'nature-friendly' farm business when looking at diversification projects?

For farm diversification projects, this needs to be delivered in a nature friendly way such as by providing a greater area or connectivity of wildlife rich habitat and biodiversity. 

Will the fund pay for deer fencing to prevent deer from damaging crops on a small market garden scale?

Potentially it can but any application would have to meet the scoring and assessment cirteria delivering FiPL outcomes and priorities for funding in that particular Protected Landscape.

So FiPL will fund items where there is overlap with CS, but won't fund items where there is an overlap with FIF?

FiPL is a time limited programme (2021-2024) to provide additional investment in our most special places, to work alongside – not in competition with - existing schemes and add value where it is most needed. Any activity or item funded through FiPL that has an equivalent activity in another scheme or programme should be able to clearly demonstrate why FiPL is the most appropriate programme for its delivery. The FiPL programme cannot fund the same items or options that exist in another scheme or programme by using a lower specification or eligibility criteria.  Specifically for farm machinery, initially this would be directed to the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) as the most appropriate scheme for farm equipment and technology. Unlike FETF, FiPL would not fund farm machinery on its own, it would need to be supporting proportionate habitat management delivering clearly demonstrated FiPL environmental outcomes and benefits. 

If any of the activity is the same as a Farming Equipment and Technology Fund item, for example a seed drill or livestock handling equipment, but is proposed to be funded through FiPL due to being a different or bespoke specification, Protected Landscapes will need to contact the Defra programme team for advice on a case by case basis with details of the project and the specification of what is proposed and the reasons why FiPL. This is because there is eligibility criteria on standard equipment under FETF and we need to cross check with that programme to ensure there is no conflict. An example is strip till drills, whereby they are specifically excluded in the FETF drill specification, but may be proposed as part of a FiPL project to meet FIPL outcomes.

For activity that has a CS equivalent, this is acceptable and expected that activity will often be funded through FiPL instead, because of the project based nature of the FiPL programme and the range and combination of activities that will often have CS equivalents. As above, the only requirement is to ensure it matches the equivalent specification and payment rate where this is the same activity or item.

Not covered in these presentations so far, but what is the position with funding no fence collars under FiPL atm please?

We are currently reviewing whether we may be able to fund invisible fencing systems, such as NoFence, and should be in a position to provide an update in the near future.

All good projects being presented but what percentage of eligible farmers are to benefit from a limited FiPL budget, or is to be just those who get in first?

This is a competitive programme and we encourage farmers to engage with their Protected Landscape organisation to develop application ideas and apply as soon as possible.   Given the broad themes and innovative nature of the programme, the percentage of farmers that will directly benefit is likely to vary between each Protected Landscape.

Will the programme consider supporting growers of non-food crops e.g. commercially grown cut flowers?

If the proposed activity meets the FiPL land and applicant eligiblity requirements, but any application would have to meet the scoring and assessment criteria delivering FiPL outcomes and priorities for funding in that particular Protected Landscape.

Is the farming investment fund for farms over 12 acres?

For queries related to Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, please email FETFEnquiries@rpa.gov.uk or call the RPA helpline on 03000 200 301 and select the option for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund.
For queries related to the Farming Transformation Fund please email FTF@rpa.gov.uk or call the RPA helpline on 03000 200 301 and select the option for the Farming Transformation Fund.

This farming investment fund is still too prescriptive I run a 4.8m drill system but grant only on 3m and 6m!

The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) within Farming Investment Fund provides for standard payment rates against minimum specifications including a minimum specified width of drill, it does not specify a maximum width. For queries related to Farming Equipment and Technology Fund including queries over specifications,  please email FETFEnquiries@rpa.gov.uk or call the RPA helpline on 03000 200 301 and select the option for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund.

Why is the minimum amount we can apply for £2000? We only wish to apply for £308 towards an EID device. A minimum grant precludes small farmers.

For queries related to Farming Equipment and Technology Fund including queries over minimum and maximum grant applications, please email FETFEnquiries@rpa.gov.uk or call the RPA helpline on 03000 200 301 and select the option for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. Your feedback may help to inform future rounds.

Will the programme support marketing costs?

Potentially, but any application would have to meet the scoring and assessment criteria delivering FiPL outcomes and priorities for funding in that particular Protected Landscape.  Any marketing would be to support the application's wider outcomes.

Agree with Stephen, the FIF is still far too prescriptive and not flexible enough for the range of size and style of farming in this country.

For queries related to Farming Equipment and Technology Fund including any feedback, please email FETFEnquiries@rpa.gov.uk or call the RPA helpline on 03000 200 301 and select the option for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund as your feedback may help to inform future rounds.

FIF is still targetting larger farm equipment and does not tend to suit for small farms where they need equiment that can go on the back of either 2 wheel or mini tractors and potentially shared by a number of smaller farmers or land tenants, so presumably these if given the right value for money tests can still be funded via FIPL.  This would be things like mini balers or brush harvesters.

Farm equipment can potentially be funded by FiPL but it must deliver proportionately against land management activity delivering FiPL outcomes, scored and assesed against FiPL criteria including value for money. 
If you have any feedback for FETF, please email FETFEnquiries@rpa.gov.uk or call the RPA helpline on 03000 200 301 and select the option for the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. Your feedback may help to inform future rounds.

Could we apply for a baseline survey for carbon or biodiversity?

Surveys are eligible but they have to be delivering measurable FiPL outcomes towards future environmental activity and benefits. Any application would have to meet the scoring and assessment criteria delivering FiPL outcomes, value for money and priorities for funding in that particular Protected Landscape. Please speak to your Protected Landscape for further advice.

Please can you clarify what you mean by “eligible area”?

Eligible area is the area of land that is under your management control and within an AONB or National Park in England, or the Norfolk Broads or other land where that activity can demonstrate benefit to the Protected Landscape.

Eligible land is Farmed or managed areas of arable and other crops, grasslands (temporary and permanent); moorland, woodland and scrub; heathland; in-stream and riparian areas and open waterbodies; land which is or is proposed to be the subject of re-wilding;  
Non-farmed areas of a holding, including hardstanding, farmyards, agricultural buildings, historic structures, tracks;  
Protected sites e.g. SSSIs, SACs, SPAs, Ramsar sites or other wildlife rich sites such as wetlands or saltmarsh. 

Domestic property is not eligible. 

For information - an applicant can make 2 applications under £5k, which would be assessed by Senior Officer.  Third & subsequent ones would have to go to the Panel for assessement.

Yes that's right.

Many of these FiPL projects will be of interest to ag. systems outside of Projected Landscapes. Are there plans to disseminate machinery innovations or innovations in practice to benefit those that farm elsewhere? Is there a mechanism within FiPL for this?

Projects and activity delivered through the FiPL programme will feed into national future scheme development as part of the Agricultural Transition Plan.

Can FiPL help a start up smallholding?

Your land would need to meet the FiPL programme eligiblity requirements, and any application would have to meet the scoring and assessment criteria delivering FiPL outcomes, value for money and priorities for funding in that particular Protected Landscape, so please speak to your Protected Landscape for further advice.

As a Landlord who doesn't claim BPS are we still eligible to apply ?

You do not need to be claiming BPS or registered on Rural Payments Service to be eligible to apply.

Please can you confirm if there is a minimum land requirement?

There is no mimimum area but Protected Landscapes may have a minimum grant value, and any application would also have to meet the scoring and assessment criteria delivering FiPL outcomes and priorities for funding in that particular Protected Landscape. Please speak to your Protected Landscape for further advice.

Is there a limit in the size of farm that can apply? I have 1.5 acres, ancient woodland with TPO and clay-based soil on the remainder.

There is no limited area but Protected Landscapes may have a minimum and maximum grant value, and any application would also have to meet the scoring and assessment criteria delivering FiPL outcomes and priorities for funding in that particular Protected Landscape. Please speak to your Protected Landscape for further advice.

Is there any limit on the number of sequential applications or the value you can apply for?

There is no limit on number of applications although the programme is competitive and each Protected Landscape has a maximum FiPL budget and will have a maximum grant value. Any application would also have to meet the scoring and assessment criteria delivering FiPL outcomes, value for money and priorities for funding in that particular Protected Landscape. Please speak to your Protected Landscape for further advice.

Post 2024, how does Defra see Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), National Parks and Broad organisations interacting with Local Nature Recovery (LNR) and Landscape Recovery (LR)? Do you anticipate Farming in Protected Landscapes setting the agenda within LNR or will it likely be in addition to these ELM tiers?

Local Nature Recovery and Landscape Recovery are still being developed and are due to roll out fully from 2024. FiPL will close in March 2024 and one of the ambitions of FIPL is to use the learning to help inform how the new ELM schemes are developed.  

I understand that application land can be physically outside a protected landscape (i.e. AONB), if so what are the criteria for being eligible? i.e. adjoinging the AONB, visible from the AONB etc.

Yes FiPL can be used for farmland outside the PL as long as it is delivering the 4 theme outcomes and you can demonstrate to the links to the PL e.g. continuous habitats or species. project being delivered in partnership with the PL.  Suggest you discuss with your PL and get their advice.

I was interested in the comment about no public gain for the people trailer.  Does the farm not receive money from holding visits under HLS?

No longer in HLS. I was not in any scheme at the time of application.
I have educational access included in my new Mid Tier scheme that starts in 2022, the payment received for this just covers costs so there is no commercial gain!

Our project is quite a lot larger than the ones mentioned here and involves a planning application. How do we get advice on this before we go through with the design work? Ideas for farming and protecting the ‘look’ of the Yorkshire dales seem to be in conflict.

Contact your PL team for guidance.

How are the assessment panels selected. Will the range of applications both accepted and declined be available to view?

The appointment or selection process differs between many PLs.  Accepted projects will be listed by the PL; the application form may contain information that should not be shared (personal/commercially sensitive).  Declined projects may be subject to modification for resubmission, so are unlikely to be made public.  Talking to your PL team you will get a feel for the projects that are likely to gain support and those that are not.

Are there specific windows for applications and closed times too?

The application window for Year 1 of the programme can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-for-farmers-in-protected-landscapes 

When the applicant has got 3 quotes for a project which quote is chosen if their is a large variation in quote amounts?

If all 3 quotes are comparable in quality, the grant offer will be made on the lowest quote.  You may get the work done by any contractor, but the grant payment will be based on the lowest applicable quote.  Some quotes may need to be disregarded if they propose substandard work.

Does a project that proposes a flood mitigation feature need to prove/quantify the potential magnitude of the flood risk reduction benefit to the downstream community at risk?

Recognised techniques such as leaky/woody dams are unlikely to need evidence of the potential magnitude of potential impact.  However if high-cost, more innovative approaches were being proposed these might - it would depend on the project proposal - speak to your PL team.

I live on my own and I do not want my information made public?

Any FiPL payment with the farm reference will need to be available on the PL website - this is the minimum requirement.  Full details will only be provided in agreement with the agreement holder through e.g. case studies or being invited to talk at such events as this one.

Shouldn't farmers be able to use Defra instead of the Protected landscape Area team for ELM?

When ELM is launched in 2024 it will come with its own support and advice package.  This is not yet in place.

If I have an Article 4 in place, would I also have to get permission from the National Park in addition?

If you have an Article 4 on yor land then the normal permitted development rights will have been restricted - so yes you may need permission from the NPA for propsed project activities.  So I would suggest you talk to your NPA planning department to check.

Are field pattern changes (new boundaries, mob grazing paddocks, agroforestry tree lanes) compatible with AONB designated landscapes and will they be supported?

This will be dependant on the individual Protected Landscape management plan priorities which forms part of the FiPL application assessment criteria.

How are you going to balance the public exploring with enhancing landscapes?

This is a challenge that transcends FIPL and all PLs are engaged in it.  FIPL could help resource solutions such as messaging, walling, directed routes, interpretation and signage which could all ameliorate negative visitor impacts.

Where there is high access, invited or otherwise, will you support fencing and provide educational signs for areas specifically set aside for wildlife refuges?

Potentially, where this delivers FIPL objectives and is compatible with statutory access rights in the area concerned.

This scheme is being launched at least 6 months after the supposed planned launch date, so we are halfway through the spend period. will DEFRA/RPA act to ensure that any underspend in this financial year will be rolled over for spending in the following year?

The FIPL working group is trying to progress this.

If the AONB doesn't have a lead person appointed and in place now, will the 3 year window be extended?

No - as the programme started later than hoped Defra is working on whether some of the funds from year 1 can be moved to years 2 &/or 3.

Are agreement lengths on a case by case scenario or will all last until March 2024?

They are on a case by case basis.

We were advised to wait for FIPL as it provided wider coverage for such as upgrading an antiquated, insufficient electrical supply, resurfacing a dangerous neglected track, constructing an education centre. We have obviously missed out.

Other national funding streams for increasing production and diversification will come on line later this year.  FiPL funding can be considered for commercial projects only if they increase the resilience of sustainable nature friendly businesses.  FiPL is only just getting going so it is unlikely that anyone has missed out yet - please speak to your PL team to check.

Can I apply for second project before the first is finished? The second idea/project touches different FiPL objectives to the first one.

Yes, although should contact your FiPL officer in your PL to discuss first. 

Can a FiPL funded project run across two financial years?

Yes it can.

Why is the window for FIF applications so short please?

The currently advertised application window is only for the first round of the programme. Defra will shortly be announcing the application window for future rounds of the Farming Investment Fund for both the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund and for further rounds under the Farming Transformation Fund in 2022. 

Getting contractors to do some of this work is proving quite tricky, there will inevitably be some slippage in timescales, maybe over years. Is there a contingency for this inevitability?

Please speak to your Protected Landscape in the first instance to discuss specific project details

I am considering entering Mid-Tier CS next year. Part of that will be to establish herbal leys. If approved, funding won’t be available until 2023. Would FiPL be a speedier alternative to establish herbal leys next year?

FiPL is seen as being complimentary to CS not in competition.  But you might still like to do a CS MT application but perhaps talk to your FiPL adviser to explore doing some herbal leys with FiPL funding now - perhaps as part of a wider project?  So you can have the experience herbal leys and get started.  This will be up to each PL as they may have different priorities for their PL.

What is the window for having to complete works and make your claim?

The first year application period runs until the end of january 2022 and projects for the first year need to be completed by the end of march 2022. Application windows and claim periods for years 2 & 3 are yet to be confirmed but the whole programme has to be completed by the end of March 2024.