Nature-friendly farmers invited to apply for Farming in Protected Landscapes grants programme after extension

The authority said it expected to receive more information on the budget for the scheme and funding priorities soon, but was open to enquiries and expressions of interest for projects starting from April 1.

While the national programme has involved more than 7,000 farmers and funded over 4,700 projects, in the Yorkshire Dales, FIPL grants have supported over 330 farmers, with 110 projects completed, 84 underway and 19 under development.

Some £4.4 million has been committed to schemes that benefit climate, nature, people, place, and that help farms diversify and find new income streams – this amounts to over £7.1 million of benefits to the local Yorkshire Dales economy.

As part of the government’s Agricultural Transition Plan, FIPL offers grant support for farmers and land managers to help them prepare for changes to Environmental Land Management schemes. Managers of FIPL say many farmers and landowners are unaware that as well as preserving and enhancing the landscapes in national parks and national landscapes, the scheme can help fund diversification projects which attract visitors to the area.

Kevin and Lizzie Batty, who farm in the national park’s Lyvennet Valley are among the latest farmers to receive a Farming in Protected Landscapes grant. They have diversified their traditional sheep and cattle enterprise by adding visitor accommodation, in the shape of three shepherd’s huts, in part to meet a need generated by nearby wedding venues.

Mr Batty said: “The farm was very reliant on the Basic Payment Scheme and a Countryside Stewardship mid-tier agri-environment agreement, but the doors have been shut on them, as well as the new Sustainable Farming Incentive, which is why this project is so important. We need a way to broaden our income streams. And it’s good to showcase this area to the general public. There are lovely walks round here and great cycle tracks.”

Their grant also helped fund an expansion of a nature reserve on the farm, and the construction of three “scrapes”, or small ponds, to provide better habitat for birds such as curlew and snipe.

Mrs Batty added: “We wouldn’t have done this project without the FIPL grant. We have invested a lot of our own money, but the grant made it doable. What we learned during the application process was the importance of being organised, getting things sorted with suppliers, and with planning consents. We officially open Brackenslack Sheperd’s Huts on the May Bank Holiday and so far we’ve had 20 bookings.”