Grant fund for landowners extended for three years
12 January 2026
Excellent news for all landowners in the High Weald: the government has announced that it will be extending the Farming in Protected Landscapes grant fund until March 2029.
The fund is open to landowners within the High Weald National Landscape, including those managing woodlands and nature reserves, as well as farmers. It will help landowners manage our protected landscape, support rural economies, and protect the environment for future generations.
Since its launch in 2021, more than £2 million has already been awarded to support nearly 500 farmers and landowners across the High Weald. The grants have enabled projects to:
🌱 improve soil health across over 10,000 acres of agricultural land
🌳 plant or restore 20,000+ metres of hedgerow
🦋 create 192 acres of new wildlife-rich habitat
🚶♀️ improve 1125 metres of public footpath
🌿 better manage over 2,500 acres of SSSI
🎒 provide 114 educational farm visits for schools and young people
John Marland, who farms in Sussex and chairs the FiPL panel for the High Weald landscape, said, “This is great news. There is an extra onus on those of us farming in protected landscapes to balance producing good, affordable food, with nature-friendly, sustainable farming. Today’s announcement will help give us greater confidence to farm and plan for the future.
“FiPL grants have already funded more than 150 excellent projects across the High Weald and I’m very pleased this work can continue.
“What makes a real difference is that the High Weald landscape team are there to support farmers and landowners in making the grant applications – they can do farm visits and give suggestions and advice, so there is need to feel put off by the paperwork.”
For further information, visit the Funding in Protected Landscapes page of this website.
