Welcome news for farm businesses in the Lincolnshire Wolds as Farming in Protected Landscape (FiPL) funding is extended for 3 years
Thu 15 Jan 2026
Following last week’s good news that the Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme has been extended for a further 3 years, Abi Saunders caught up with local FiPL Project Officer, Steve Scoffin and Richard Langton who chairs the programme’s Local Assessment Panel (LAP) for the Lincolnshire Wolds, to understand the impact on our local National Landscape.
As mentioned in our previous blog on the Oxford Farming Conference, Emma Reynolds MP (Secretary of State for DEFRA) confirmed the extension for 3 years with £30 million in funding nationally for the next financial year.
Steve highlighted the national achievements of FiPL over the last 4 years:
· Over 11,000 farmers supported
· 44 protected landscapes
· Over 5,500 projects funded
· Around 100 farm cluster groups created
As the FiPL has supported a wide range of local projects in the Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape under the themes of Climate, Nature, People and Place, this funding extension is greatly appreciated as Richard Langton shared.
“This news is very welcome and testament to the positive impact that the programme has had in the Lincolnshire Wolds over the past five years. The projects have helped farmers and land managers enhance the Wolds’ environmental and economic vitality whilst increasing access and understanding of its rich landscape.”
The FiPL Programme specifically supported those projects with:
· £1,255,000 of grant funding (with rates from 40% to 100%) of the project costs.
· FiPL ran the Historic Building Restoration Grant bringing in extra grant funding of £830,000 to help restore 4 groups of Lincolnshire Wolds farm buildings.
The extension of the programme for 3 years will enable famers and land managers in the Lincolnshire Wolds to bring forward schemes that, by their nature, take more than 12 months to come to fruition.
Acknowledging the successful delivery of over 90 projects spread throughout the Lincolnshire Wolds in the last 5 years, Richard concluded by thanking the local programme team for their hard work and commitment.
If you farm or own land in the Lincolnshire Wolds, there’s more good news. The programme still has funding this year for one-off projects which deliver against the 4 FiPL themes and can be completed, and grant claimed, by the 23rdMarch 2026.
While there has already been a substantial call on the programme, up to £80,000 remains to be allocated. Each application is capped at a maximum of £50,000 although multiple applications can be made where appropriate.
Find full details here including applications forms at the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service website or email Steve Scoffin to call him on 07585 204329.
If you would like further advice or assistance including project design, business plans or planning advice please give me a call on 07930 592030 at any time.
To catch up on my interview with Steve Orchard just click the link below for the podcast episode talking about the Oxford Conference in general and FiPL in the Lincolnshire Wolds around 6 minutes in.
Abi Saunders
Agri Business Advisor
[email protected]
Photo credit: Steve Scoffin Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service