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South Downs Landscape To Benefit From New Public Grant Scheme

The South Downs from Devils Dyke (Photo: © John Warburton)

The South Downs National Park in Sussex and beyond is one of 44 areas in England to benefit from new government grants for one-off projects promoting "nature-friendly" farming and sustainability.

The national park's authority today (June 29) announced funding requests are open to farmers and land managers.

The government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has called the programme "Farming in Protected Landscapes"  or "FiPL" for short.

Here in Sussex, grant applications will be handled by the SDNPA's farming team, who will be delivering the programme locally in the South Downs,.

They have already begun encouraging farmers and land managers to apply for funding.

The programme will run between July 2021 and March 2024, with applications open from 1 July.

According to Defra, farmers and land managers can apply for funding to carry out projects that:

  • support nature recovery,
  • mitigate the impacts of climate change,
  • provide opportunities for people to discover, enjoy and understand landscape and cultural heritage, and 
  • support nature-friendly, sustainable farm businesses.

Nigel James, Countryside and Policy Manager and who leads the farming team at the National Park, said:

“As we transition from the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to a new agricultural support system, farming is going through a significant period of change.  

"To help farmers and land managers in protected landscapes during this time and, in recognition of the vital role they play in managing these areas, Defra has developed the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme.

“Farmers are the lifeblood of the South Downs National Park as around three quarters of this amazing landscape is farmland.

"We have a range of small family-run farms and large farming estates and each one plays their part in making this a living, working landscape that produces incredible food and drink, as well as supporting wildlife and being enjoyed by millions of people every year.

“We’re looking forward to working with farmers and land managers to help deliver this important programme and bring benefits to all.”

FiPL is open to all farmers and land managers, including those from the private, public and charity sectors.

Nigel added:

“It’s important to recognise that this is a programme of funding for one-off projects, not an agri-environment scheme and will work alongside – not in competition with – Defra’s existing and new schemes, adding value where it is most needed.”

To deliver the programme, a Local Assessment Panel, predominantly made up of farmers, is being developed by the National Park Authority.  

The Panel will meet regularly to decide on which projects should be supported.

This will be based on guidance from Defra and relevance to the National Park’s Partnership Management Plan.

For the first year of the programme, applications can be received from 1 July 2021 until 31 January 2022.

An information website has been made available: https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/FarmingInProtectedLandscapes 

Applications will need to be developed with the National Park’s farming team before being submitted.

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