FiPL lends a helping hand

Much of the conservation and restoration work being planned in the Landscape Recovery pilot will be supported by a DEFRA programme known as Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL).

The programme, which is now in operation until at least 2025, supports farmers and landowners to carry out projects that enhance the natural environment, mitigate against climate change, provide public access opportunities, or support nature-friendly farming.

FiPL in Norfolk is jointly run by the Norfolk Coast Partnership and the Broads Authority, and it is open to applications from farmers and land managers who are either based in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or whose FiPL funding will go towards projects within the AONB.

Among examples of FiPL-funded projects are restoration of rivers, improving connectivity between habitats, such as hedgerows, implementing regenerative farming practices, creating ponds, supporting traditional farming related industries such as graziers and reed-cutters with equipment, and gathering data to help drive conservation practices.

There are a wide range of outcomes which the FiPL programme hopes to achieve. Among these are an increase in biodiversity; a more resilient landscape in the face of climate change; greater public engagement in land management; and ensuring historic structures are conserved or enhanced.

Two examples of how FiPL funds are being used can be seen on the Holkham National Nature Reserve. Holkham Estate Conservation Manager Jake Fiennes explains more:

‘A weed wiper was purchased for use was designated as a National Nature Reserve in 1967 and was managed by Natural England until 2012. The Holkham Estate was awarded Approved Body Status under Section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which enables the estate to actively manage the Holkham National Nature Reserve. These areas are included in several designations including SSSI, RAMSAR and North Norfolk Coast AONB.

As someone whose own conservation work is often described as visionary, Fiennes describes the scale and ambition of the Landscape Recovery pilot as ‘laudable’, adding ‘it’s aims are fundamentally achievable and deliverable in a relatively short space of time. This is definitely a requirement as the government have committed to protecting 30 per cent of land for nature by 2030.

‘The North Norfolk Landscape Recovery Pilot aims to safeguard and further enhance the existing rich wildlife habitat along the North Norfolk coast as well as protecting its fragile chalk streams. Up to 2000 hectares of land will be invested into a long-term commitment to biodiversity and all of the public goods spelled out in the government’s 25 year environment plan.’ along the whole north Norfolk coast by a range of land occupiers, ranging from trusts, eNGOs, and farmers who have, over the past few years, invested in the creation and management of wet grassland for breeding waders and over wintering wildfowl.

‘In the creation and management of these rich and diverse habitats inevitably some species become more dominant and pin reed is one of these. The weed wiper will be instrumental in ensuring the control all pin reed without having negative effects on other rich flora and fauna that exists within these habitats.

The weed wiper will be available to all as and when required and photographic aerial evidence will be provided in due course to visualise the improvements made.’

The second example is again related to the Holkham National Nature Reserve.

The popular reserve has in excess of

Quick wins

For the vision to become a reality is not a huge leap, says Fiennes. In fact, with buy-in and commitment from all the land owners and land occupiers along the coastal strip, nature will start to benefit, in some cases within four years. Getting commitment from farmers and land managers to make space for nature will only work if the pay-

800,000 visitors per year. Much of the reserve is permissive open access and the coastal path runs from east to west.

In the winter of 2019/20, Norfolk Trails upgraded the coastal path from the Beach Road at Wells through to Lady Anne’s Drive. Thereafter the coastal path heads north and runs along the sand dunes. Many visitors make use of the coastal path, whilst others choose to head west and join the beach beyond Holkham Bay.

This piece of pathway sees significant footfall but was inaccessible to many visitors due to the condition of the path. Making use of a dry October, over 400 tonnes of material was shipped in. The pathway was reprofiled and top-dressed. This will allow unhindered access for wheelchair users and also cyclists, enabling them to access two of the bird hides.

For more information on FiPL, visit the website: www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/ project/farming-in-protected-landscapes back is seen as sufficiently beneficial, says Fiennes.

This is why the stages of the pilot study are so important to establishing viability.

‘The main aim of the Landscape Recovery Pilot first phase is to give an indication to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on how the scheme will be delivered, the individuals and organisations involved and the potential for private investment,’ says Fiennes.

‘Once this has been established, delivery will take place, farmers and landowners will get an income and nature will start to see benefits, and in some cases this will be relatively quick.’

Ensuring farmers are on board with nature recovery takes a certain style of messaging and usually the strongest message comes from a peer group. This is undeniably the case with many of the farmers working along the North Norfolk coastal strip.

Changing minds

‘I spent nearly half a century abusing the soil on my farm. I am making sure that I spend the rest of my time restoring the health of the soil and allowing the natural habitat to thrive.’

These are the words of local farmer and businessman David Lyles who is one of the driving forces behind the North Norfolk Coastal Group (NNCG). The cluster group of farmers, land owners and associated organisations extend beyond the remit of the Landscape Recovery Pilot but many of the NNCG members farm within it. For Lyles, who farms just outside Burnham Market, farmers and landowners are on the very frontline of the battle for nature’s survival and re-establishment.

‘I am approaching the subject from another direction.,’ says Lyles, who won the prestigious Ian MacNicol award in 2016 – awarded annually for conservation work within a farmed landscape.

‘In these times, we face unparalleled change in our landscape, accelerated by global warming.

This Landscape Recovery project focusing on Norfolk Chalk Rivers will go a long way to help research the best ways of providing cleaner water and habitat by increasing filtration before contaminates reach the rivers and further on into the sea. I commend the work that is planned. ‘But what of the other forecasts? The forecasts are pretty dire in our area with much over topping of sea defences and the inevitable increase in the incursion of saline water. In some sections of our coast this will mean the loss of much of our freshwater marshes and all that live there. Particularly the species that cannot tolerate salt water.

‘The fauna and flora will have nowhere to migrate so these widened river corridors will provide a much-needed refuge and provide ready made routes for migration and protection. So, it is not just about today or even the duration of this pilot but about planning for tomorrow. And this project is essential evaluate what may be possible.’

Another key player in the Landscape Recovery Project is the Norfolk Rivers Trust (NRT).

Outgoing chief executive David Diggens is delighted that the project has been selected as a pilot but has outlined several factors that need to be in place for the project to be successful.

‘It is crucial that we have the support of landowners who are keen and willing to take part in the scheme. At the same time, we need to identify the right type of habitat and make sure it is in the right place.

‘When it comes to agreements with landowners, these need to be in place for the long-term and the right incentives need to be offered to entice landowners, ensuring that taking part is cost-effective and increases farm-business resilience.’

Like Fiennes, Diggens believes that some changes and benefits will be seen quickly. Biodiversity will quickly increase, and some species will recover and establish quickly. Others will take longer.

When it comes to the human players in the scheme, landowners, for example, will be rewarded for their part in nature recovery and providing public good. Diggens says they will be better off through various funding schemes, both private and through the government’s new environmental payments.

‘For the public,’ he adds, ‘there will be new, strategic permissive access routes linking existing access and creating greatest benefit for the widest range of visitors, whilst not compromising the integrity of the new habitat created.’

Ed Bramham-Jones is the new chief executive of the NRT and he is clear: ‘We have a lot of work to do as part of this initial pilot, but we’re really excited about what can be achieved for North Norfolk. Restoring marginal and riparian land at this scale is fundamental to significant nature recovery and river restoration, while also providing resilience for wildlife and communities in a changing climate.’

While it is early days in the development of the North Norfolk Landscape Recovery Pilot, the vision is clear. A mosaic of habitats, covering an area of land that is subject to different levels of management, supporting a huge and diverse number of species.

This isn’t rewilding as it is understood, but rather it is sensitive management. From the cattle grazing the marshlands to unlock the nesting grounds of priority birds; to the cultivated margins that provide a home for fragile plants and elusive invertebrate; to the development of reed beds to clean the chalk streams and provide hiding spaces for vulnerable creatures.

It all adds up to a landscape that provides a home for nature that is wilder, wetter and, ultimately, better for us all.

From colourful Jubilee Gardens commemorating the late Queen Elizabeth II to vibrant hedgerows thrumming with bird and insect life, the Resilient Coast Community Grants have funded innovative and environmentally beneficial projects across the North Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Norfolk Coast Partnership’s Project Adviser Sydney Jacus outlines four projects that are making a difference to the local community.

It has been an exciting year since the funding applications were approved for projects across the Norfolk Coast AONB. Communities really stepped forward with ideas that would make a difference to the local area and, most importantly, they then threw masses of energy, enthusiasm and passion into bringing their visions and ambitions to reality.

Funding applications of £20,000 were awarded as part of the Resilient Coast Community Grant in 2022. The projects were spread across the Norfolk Coast AONB and, while the range of projects is vast, the common factor has been the meaningful outcomes for communities and the environment of all the projects. Environmental projects conceived and delivered by local communities are vitally important. They allow an opportunity for connection between people and nature while also utilising local knowledge and experience. Now more than ever we can benefit from getting outside and enjoying the landscapes we live in. There are numerous health benefits to spending time outside and a well-planned project can also leave a lasting benefit for the

Amphibian guardian angels in Cley

environment. Oftentimes, a great project will spark a community group to form, connecting like-minded people and leaving an enduring legacy.