Interested in advertising with us?

Advertise with us

Subscribe to trusted local news

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

  • Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.

Already a subscriber? Log in here.

28

Jun 2021

Last Updated: 28/06/2021
Environment
Environment

Post-Brexit grants available for Nidderdale farmers

by John Plummer

| 28 Jun, 2021
Comment

0

The funding is part of the government’s agricultural transition plan after Brexit. All farmers and landowners within Nidderdale, as well as partners, AONB can apply.

nidderdale-tractor-paul-skirrow-1
Nidderdale tractor by Paul Skirrow

Farmers and landowners in Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty can apply for land management grants.

Farming in Protected Landscapes is a government-funded three-year programme to support those who manage land in AONBs and national parks across the UK.

The funding is part of the government’s agricultural transition plan after Brexit and the end of EU subsidies.

Iain Mann, manager at Nidderdale AONB, said:

“Projects will need to deliver a positive outcome in at least one of the four key areas.
"These are: climate, such as flood risk reduction or carbon storage; nature, with improved habitats for biodiversity; people, with better access or engagement with the land; and place, which includes enhancing the character of the land, its historic features, or increasing the business resilience of farms.”


Examples of suitable projects could be action to reduce carbon emissions or use of plastics on farms, enhancing habitat for wildlife, improving access on public footpaths, promoting a series of farm walks, conserving historical features on the land, or farm diversification to provide tourism activities, such as stargazing or dawn chorus walks.



Read more:






All farmers and landowners within the AONB can apply – including those from the private, public and charity sector. Other organisations and individuals are eligible too, as long as they are collaborating or supporting a farmer or land manager.

AONB staff will decide which applications under £5,000 to accept.

Grant requests for over £5,000 will be assessed by a local assessment panel, made up of representatives from Nidderdale AONB, Natural England and the farming and land management community.

Mr Mann said farming was "part and parcel of what makes Nidderdale AONB’s landscape so special".

He added:

"These new grants will help us to collaborate even more with farmers and land managers to protect the AONB’s natural beauty, tackle climate change and safeguard our wildlife and heritage, while sustaining a vibrant working landscape.”