What the programme can pay for

What the programme can 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.

Your project must also help to deliver at least one of the objectives of the Northumberland Coast AONB Management Plan. Details of these objectives can be found here.

Nature outcomes	There is a greater area of wildlife rich habitat There is greater connectivity between habitats Existing habitat is better managed for biodiversity There is an increase in biodiversity
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
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 the resilience of nature friendly sustainable farm businesses, which in turn contributes to a more thriving local economy

 

The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme is designed to be flexible around individual farm holdings - the following list is not exhaustive or prescriptive, but is intended to give a short illustration of potential projects that would work well in the Northumberland Coast AONB

The kinds of project the Programme might support

Replacing stiles with gates on public footpaths to promote easier access

Restoring drystone walls across a landholding

Creating water scrapes, or creating ponds to support a variety of wildlife

Promoting connectivity between habitats

Conserving historic features on a farm, such as lime kilns

Parking improvements at a key site to provide safe access to popular walking routes and reduce congestion for visitors and local residents

A pop-up camping facility, alongside the provision of new walking trails and on site activities, including eg, stargazing and dawn chorus walks

Supporting a locally-branded food initiative which promotes the links between the product and the landscape in which it is produced

Action to reduce carbon emissions on a farm

Gathering data and evidence to help inform conservation and farming practice

 

Payment rates

Where there is no commercial gain - up to 100% of the costs.

Where the applicant would benefit commercially from a project - 40% to 80% depending on how much commericial benefit is derived 

If an activity is equivalent to one under Countrysdie Stewardship (CS), the programme payment rate will be the same as the CS rate. If not, funding offers will be based on the projected costs of an activity. 

 

Farming in Protected Landscapes and other funding sources

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.

Note that those seeking support for machinery to increase productivity should utilise the Countryside Productivity Scheme https://www.gov.uk/guidance/countryside-productivity-scheme#countryside-productivity-scheme rather than project grants through Farming in Protected Landscapes

Large scale tree planting may be best delivered through Forestry Commission funding including the England Woodland Creation Offer https://www.gov.uk/guidance/england-woodland-creation-offer