Landscape Recovery Scheme – A new era in environmental land management
By Rob Blair, Partner and ARA specialist
The Government’s Landscape Recovery (LR) scheme, part of the broader Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs), has entered a new phase with the selection of the second round of applicants. This innovative scheme represents a significant step towards large-scale environmental restoration and sustainable land use.
What is Landscape Recovery?
The LR scheme is designed to fund landscape-scale projects through long-term agreements extending beyond 20 years. It aims to facilitate large-scale land-use change, combining public and private funding sources to produce significant environmental and climate outcomes. This includes habitat restoration and ecosystem recovery, marking a new approach in delivering and administering such ambitious projects.
Eligibility and scope
The scheme is open to all land managers and landowners, including public bodies in collaboration with private land managers. It targets large-scale projects ranging from 500 to 5000 hectares. Importantly, land already in existing schemes can be included, provided there is no duplication of payment for the same activity.
Recent developments
Defra has recently announced the successful applicants for the second round of the Landscape Recovery scheme. This round focuses on net zero targets, protected sites, and wildlife-rich habitats, involving over 700 farmers and landowners. The projects aim to restore 35,000 hectares of peatland, create over 7,000 hectares of woodland, and benefit 160 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), covering more than 200,000 hectares across England.
Selection process
Projects were selected by Defra and a panel of experts based on criteria such as feasibility, cost, environmental benefits, social impact, and impact on food production. The scheme requires a single applicant with sufficient management control and the support of relevant landowners and tenants.
Agreement length and administration
Each agreement is bespoke, typically extending over 20 years, to achieve the desired environmental outcomes. Long-term safeguards are expected to protect the land beyond the funding agreement, possibly through conservation covenants or designations. The scheme involves a staged approach, with a development phase before project implementation, including activities like feasibility studies and stakeholder engagement.
Funding and payment rates
Defra will not fully fund project delivery, expecting private funding alongside public investment. Payment rates, ranging from £200 to £900 per hectare per year, will be negotiated during project development, benchmarked against other Government schemes to ensure value for money.
Looking ahead
The announcement of the successful second-round projects aligns with the Government’s commitment to enhancing access to nature and supporting sustainable land management. For those not selected, alternative funding options are available, such as the Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund. A third round of Landscape Recovery is anticipated in 2024, with details yet to be confirmed.
The Landscape Recovery scheme represents a transformative approach to environmental land management. It offers a unique opportunity for landowners and managers to contribute to large-scale environmental objectives while receiving support through a combination of public and private funding.
As we await further details on the next round, it’s an opportune time for interested parties to start considering their involvement in this groundbreaking initiative. Contact us for further guidance.