Support for farmers and land managers

What grants are available?

Environmental Stewardship Scheme

We offer help with applications for Natural England’s Environmental Stewardship Scheme (Entry Level and Higher Level Schemes). Environmental Stewardship is an agri-environment scheme which provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England who deliver effective environmental management on their land. Its primary objectives are to:Restored barn

  • Conserve wildlife (biodiversity)
  • Maintain and enhance landscape quality and character
  • Protect the historic environment and natural resources
  • Promote public access and understanding of the countryside
  • Protect natural resources

The Rural Development Programme for England

The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) is a new funding scheme for land based businesses, rural tourism organisations and other small rural businesses.  It will run from 2008 to 2013.

East Midlands RDPE

West Midlands RDPE

English Woodland Grant Scheme

We can offer advice and help with applications for the Forestry Commission‘s English Woodland Grant Scheme.

Environmental Enhancement Scheme

The National Park Authority also offers our own grant scheme, the Environmental Enhancement Scheme, for help with projects that may not be suitable for the main national schemes.  The grants are discretionary and funds are limited. If you are a tenant farmer, we would suggest you talk to your landlord before you contact us.

For more information call 01629 816270 or email farming@peakdistrict.gov.uk

Peak Birds Project

A project to halt the decline of curlew, lapwing and twite in the Peak District. Advice and funding for farmers and landowners. For more information contact the project officer Catherine Gray on 01629 816247, email catherine.gray@peakdistrict.gov.uk or visit the Peak Birds Project website

What help and advice is available?

Peak District Land Management Advisory Service

The Peak District Land Management Advisory Service (PDLMAS) is a ‘first stop shop’ for farmers and land managers in the Peak District, aiming to:Restored pond

  • Support local farm businesses
  • Enhance the environmental qualities of the Peak District
  • Clarify procedures and help farmers and land managers through the maze of advice, grants and regulations
  • Help secure conservation agreements and explore any other potential opportunities
  • Offer advice on economic development and diversification

PDLMAS can be found at the Agricultural Business Centre in Bakewell every Monday, between 9:30am and 3:30pm, where you can meet an adviser who can give you some initial advice and show you relevant information. The adviser can also direct you to more specialist advice.

PDLMAS has been set up in conjunction with Natural England and with support from the Environment Agency and Forestry Commission.

Enquiry form (100KB) Adobe pdf document
Print out the form and either return it to us by post or take it along to our drop-in session at the Agricultural Business Centre.

Guidance notes to download

Other sources of help and advice

Restoring moorlandPeak Directions - a comprehensive list of agricultural and related organisations specific to the Peak District.

The Farming Life Centre - celebrating hill farming of the past and promoting the health and well-being of the farming community of the present and future, the Farming Life Centre delivers a range of health, social and economic projects open to Peak District farmers and their families.

Catchment Sensitive Farming Project

East Midlands Rural Charter

Natural England advice for farmers and land managers