The Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) Programme is now in its sixth year and is currently set to run until March 2029. Originally a 3-year, time-limited programme, it has now allocated £5.7 million in grant funding to support projects across the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. With a three-year extension announced earlier this year, the programme has a confirmed project delivery budget of just over £1 million for the current financial year, with indicative budgets of a similar scale anticipated for the following two years
With the three-year extension, the team has been focussing on developing ambitious, multi-year projects whilst navigating the range of challenges farmers are facing on a daily basis. There are currently 39 projects either underway or completed during the 2026/27 financial year. The team has also been working on processing claims from the previous financial year and responding to Defra reporting requests.
The programme continues to operate under broadly the same eligibility criteria as previous years, with all supported activity required to contribute towards one or more of the FiPL outcomes for climate, nature, people and place. Projects are assessed against their contribution towards the delivery of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape's Management Plan, along with national government targets including; the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), 30by30, Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework (PLTOF) and Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS).
As of 6th October 2026, the Forest of Bowland FiPL team had received almost 500 expressions of interest, resulting in 232 approved projects that have either been completed or are currently being delivered. A full list of funded projects is available on the Forest of Bowland website: www.forestofbowland.com/farming-protected-landscapes
A number of ambitious and impactful projects have been approved in recent months, with one example highlighted below.
- To restore and purchase equipment for a 4-span polytunnel for a community farm which will provide space and the tools needed to propagate native wildflowers, tree saplings and sphagnum moss, to be used in current and future landscape restoration projects across Yorkshire and North Lancashire. The project will also provide a space for an information and education area to inform and involve local communities, organisations, volunteers and visitors to learn about the importance of these key habitats.
For further information email: tarja.wilson2@lancashire.gov.uk
