Farming in Protected Landscapes projects 2024-25
Projects within Norfolk Coast National Landscape that received funding from Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme.
Pond for turtle doves, Salthouse Heath
Creation of a new pond on a grazing meadow on Manor Farm near Salthouse Heath to support turtle dove populations, addressing a huge decline in the UK’s only migratory dove that has been caused by loss of habitat and source of seeds.
£4,574
Accessible boardwalk, Holkham Beach
A new, wider 260m boardwalk to improve access to Holkham Beach on the Peddars Way & Norfolk Coast Path National Trail, while also minimising habitat disturbance on the dunes and pine woods from the 1 million people who visit each year.
£52,666
Biodiversity data collection, Warham
Collection of Northgate Hall Farm’s own biodiversity baseline data via remote sensing and a smartphone app for analysis by AI and ecologists – a rePLANET and Mozaic Earth approach that is cheaper than in-field ecological assessments.
£9,000
Community orchard, Thornham
Development of a 250-tree organic, accessible orchard at Jubilee Meadow with apple varieties for eating and cooking planted informally to replicate a traditional older orchard, a habitat which also supports birds, small mammals and wildflowers.
£4,126
Beekeeping equipment, Thornage Hall
Three hives and equipment to enable beekeeping to be introduced at Thornage Hall. Beekeeping enhances learning opportunities and activities for people with learning disabilities who live and work there, and improves biodiversity.
£3,977
Drones for managing and mitigating wildfires
New camera drones making it quicker for Norfolk Fire Service to see how a fire is spreading, spot trigger points of fire development and identify where they can intervene to minimise damage to farmland, properties and biodiversity.
£1,457
Sustainability project, Sedgeford
Solar panels and compost toilets to enable the Sedgeford Historical and Archaeological Project to be more sustainable and less reliant on hiring diesel generators and chemical toilets for its residential summer camps.
£60,450
Deer management, Brancaster Estate
New equipment to help monitor and manage deer numbers across 700ha of landscape to reduce damage to farmland, woodland, hedgerow and habitats for nightingales and turtle doves, and to improve biodiversity.
£9,333
New wildflower meadow, Warham
Creation of a 30ha meadow on Northgate Hall Farm which is next to a a protected saltmarsh habitat that is home to many rare species, using a local wildflower seed mix to increase flora and biodiversity.
£21,702
Power scythe for grassland, Felbeck Trust
A power scythe and battery-operated mower for use by Norfolk wildlife charity volunteers on grassland areas and paths. Warmer, wetter weather has led to faster growth, making grassland management with scythes alone unmanageable.
£4,310
photo: Dr Sally Francis, Norfolk Saffron
Barn roof repairs, Burnham Norton
Repairs to a roof to preserve one of the last traditional barns still in agricultural use in the area on the land of saffron producer Norfolk Saffron, with sparrow boxes installed to support local nesting populations.
£8,110
Pond restoration, near Burnham Market
Restoration of two ponds as part of work to establish a network of water for wildlife on Muckleton Farm, which has little surface water storage, to support the resilience of wildlife in the face of climate change in the long term.
£7,348
Amphibious reed cutter, Cley Nature Reserve
A new specialist amphibious cutting machine for management of reed, fen and dyke vegetation at Cley nature reserve. Wet winters can limit access, and without management, habitats can be lost to natural succession.
£72,855
Restoration of sand dunes, Old Hunstanton
Work continuing from last year’s success in controlling sea buckthorn along the dunes, which has already shown how a diverse ground flora can recolonise dune slacks. It also reduces fire risk, erosion, and improves visitor access.
£5,600
*Figures show the amount of Farming in Protected Landscape grant awarded to projects.
