Defra Access Funding
National Landscapes make an important contribution to people’s enjoyment of the countryside and their health and wellbeing.
The 2019 Landscapes Review, led by Julian Glover, called on the government to ensure our National Landscapes could be enjoyed by a more diverse audience.
In response, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) allocated significant investment towards making National National Landscapes more accessible for people of all ages, abilities and needs.
As part of this, the Dedham Vale National Landscape has received additional funding from Defra for projects that improve access. In 2026/27 we have received an additional £82,319 of Defra Access funding and we are seeking expressions of interest for potential projects
The Dedham Vale National Landscape will consider expressions of interest up to the full amount of the funding. However, it is likely we will look to support a range of projects with the funding available.
Criteria & Eligibility
The Defra Access funding is for physical and digital infrastructure improvements to make the Dedham Vale National Landscape more accessible for people of all ages and abilities, and from all socio-economic backgrounds.
Projects must improve public access to and within the National Landscape. The funding for projects must be for capital spend only. Capital spend is a one-off itemised cost where funding is provided to purchase or invest in a physical item or asset to improve accessibility for all.
Examples of what would be classed as capital expenditure, include access infrastructure, buildings, machinery, and equipment, for example:
- Disabled toilet facilities
- Replacement of gates
- Additional seating areas
- Improved access to waterways for the mobility-impaired
- Widening and resurfacing of paths for multi-user use
- Purchase of trampers, mobility scooters, electric bikes, and storage/charging facilities
- Provision of accessible signage and visitor information, physical and digital
- Creation of a new or improvement of an existing piece of access infrastructure, such as building a toilet or fitting a new accessible gate or adapting a minibus or visitor centre.
- Research and development, defined in budgeting guidance as:
"Creative work undertaken on a systematic basis to increase the stock of knowledge, and use of this stock of knowledge for the purpose of discovering or developing new products, including improved versions or qualities of existing products, or discovering new or more efficient processes of production”.
Some examples that are not classified as capital:
• Removal of a stile - unless it is being replaced by an accessible gate
• Hire of a minibus
• Staff time that is not directly attributable to creation of an asset
Please note that funding is conditional on the following:
- Any planning permission must be in place when you apply and any other consents required assessed as very likely to be achieved
- The funded work must be delivered and paid for in 2026/27. All works must be complete and invoiced by 1st March 2027.
If you are unsure of applying and require further information or to discuss your potential project please contact Jack Pynn at [email protected] or phone 01394 445225.