Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL), which provides funding for Lake District farmers and landowners to deliver projects for climate, nature, people and place, is celebrating a successful third year and an extension of funding for a fourth year.
Farmers and landowners, with the help of the Lake District National Park Authority’s FiPL team, delivered 53 FiPL-funded projects in 2023/24 (April 2023 to March 2024) amounting to a total spend of £1.4 million. A further £2.4 million will be spent between now and March 2025.
Since the scheme was first launched in July 2021, 365 farmers, about one third of all farmers in the National Park, have been involved.
Of the 53 projects from the last funding year (2023/24) 26 involved individual farms, five were with farm clusters and 22 were led by others.
These FiPL projects have involved:
Claire Foster, the Lake District National Park Authority’s Farming Officer said:
“It’s great to look back at the many successes of the FiPL projects. We’ve heard how easy it’s been to access this funding and farmers have appreciated the support we have provided. We are now in an extended and final year of the funding and look forward to seeing the projects benefit the National Park.”
Across the National Park, 2023/24 project highlights include:
South Lakes – Witherslack: FiPL funding came to the rescue of a traditional barn, that needed repairing urgently. The barn at Low Fell End farm, with its Grade II listed 17th century farmhouse and other buildings is an example of adaptions farmers made to their farmsteads in response to changing agricultural practices over the centuries. The grant has conserved and secured the future of a traditional farm building to support agricultural use for many generations to come.
North East Lakes: the Eamont Way footpath was created linking Penrith with Pooley Bridge and provides a car free alternative for people to get to this popular destination on the northern tip of Ullswater. FiPL funding paid for two permitted paths that were negotiated with the landowners, and some route signing. FiPL funding has also helped to create a stop-off point at Kirkbarrow Farm for food and drinks for the farm. The grant helped the farm to buy a coffee machine, seating, and some signs.
North East Lakes: FiPL funding gave a Georgian bank barn a new purpose and created a new income stream for the family-run Gowbarrow Hall Farm. The barn needed some structural repairs and it was no longer needed to house livestock or store hay bales. A FiPL grant meant the barn could be repaired and turned into a venue that is hired out and proving popular.
West Lakes: Three successive years of FiPL funding has supported the West Lakeland community interest company (CiC). Formed in 2021, a community of 40 farmers are tackling changing agricultural policy and the relationship between farming, the environment and climate change. The FiPL grant has helped the group respond to the changing funding schemes for hill farming and to tackle topics that include soil health, grassland management, carbon sequestration, improving farm profitability, and capitalising on the benefits of environmental farm assets.
For more information about what FIPL has achieved please visit www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/fipl
A FiPL grant gave a Georgian bank barn at Gowbarrow Hall Farm a new purpose. It’s proving popular as a venue to hire which includes a commercial kitchen.
A family enjoying the new Eamont Way route which received Farming in Protected landscape funding.
A young customer enjoying a stop off at Fabi’s milk, which has benefited from FiPL funding.
Three successive years of FiPL funding has supported the West Lakeland community interest company. Those involved share an aim to resolve complex issues faced by farmers, the local communities and the natural environment.
