Landscape Recovery

Landscape recovery, part of the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) is aimed at more comprehensive changes to the landscape.

What is landscape recovery?

Landscape recovery is the arm of ELMS (the government’s flagship funding scheme for farmers and land managers), which is focused on landscape-scale environmental improvements. There will be at least two rounds opening in the next two years.

What is the first round of landscape recovery?

The first round of landscape recovery will comprise up to 15 pilot projects focussed on one of two themes. According to the Defra blog, the themes are:

1. recovering and restoring threatened England’s native species

2. restoring England’s streams and rivers: improving water quality, biodiversity and adapting to climate change

Projects will range from 500 hectares up to 5,000.

What is the second round of landscape recovery?

The proposed themes for the second round have not yet been released.

Who is eligible for landscape recovery payments?

Any group or individual can apply for funding under landscape recovery, if they are able and willing to deliver large-scale projects.

Land types eligible for landscape recovery

Any land type can be eligible, whether or not they form part of a protected landscape. Common land is also eligible.

Management types eligible for landscape recovery

There are no management types excluded, so land that is farmed or forested is eligible, whether managed as part of a wider public or private estate, or as an individual holding. If the land is owned wholly by a public body, the body will need to collaborate with other land managers. Applications can also be made by a facilitator representing a number of different land managers.

Eligibility for landscape recovery of land under current agri-environment schemes

Land that currently forms part of an agir-environment scheme is still eligible under landscape recovery, but the activity that is funded under landscape recovery must not already be undertaken through another scheme – nor incompatible with it.

How do you apply for landscape recovery funding?

The process for landscape recovery applications will be launched soon, via an invitation to apply and the release of comprehensive guidance on how to apply. Once this has happened, there will be a 16-week window to apply, after which all applications will be assessed, against criteria around feasibility, cost and potential impact. Successful applications will find out this summer.