Farmers, landowners and parish councils on the Isle of Wight are being encouraged to apply for another round of Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) grants, with funding now available for 2025.
Over the past year, successful applicants have delivered a wide range of projects to support nature, heritage and sustainable farming practices across the Isle of Wight’s National Landscape.
Completed works have included:
- 655 metres of new hedgerow
- 759 metres of hedgerow restoration
- 4,290 metres of fencing
- 975 metres of water pipes
- 313 metres of ditch restoration
- 2,647 trees planted
- 15 bird boxes installed
- 7 gates added
- 42 no-fence collars issued
The grant scheme is once again open for applications, supporting projects that enhance biodiversity, protect historic landscapes, tackle climate change, and offer community engagement opportunities such as volunteering and educational activities.
Mark Simmons, based at the Isle of Wight National Landscape office in Branstone, is encouraging those with eligible land to get in touch with their proposals.
The scheme is aimed at land within the Isle of Wight National Landscape (formerly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). FiPL grants can support one-off projects that help people discover and appreciate the landscape, connect habitats, restore natural features, and strengthen the Island’s resilience to extreme weather.
Jackie Gallop, Clerk to Wroxall Parish Council, shared their recent success:
“Wroxall Parish Council received an email about grants for Farming in Rural Landscapes. We didn’t know if we were eligible… In the end we planted 2,000 wildflower plugs and 4 sacks of daffodil bulbs with around 40 volunteers from the village.
Article continues below this advertisement “The Parish Council have only incurred minimal costs and pretty much everything… was covered.”
Sam Biles, a farmer and landowner in Calbourne, added:
“On our Calbourne Farm we have utilised FIPL to replant all the historic hedgerows on the farm, to create areas for wildlife, install new water supplies and to plant new woodland.
“FIPL is helpful as it can sit alongside Countryside Stewardship and SFI schemes… the panel and team give a swift answer on funding and guidance.”
For more information or to apply, contact Mark Simmons at [email protected] or call 07851 093532. Further details can be found on the Isle of Wight National Landscape website.
Better than taking their inheritances away from them,
that’s all gone very quiet.
Lol