Two New Grants Open Now for Lowland Peat Farmers in the North West
If you farm on lowland peat soils in the North West — including the Chat Moss area, the Lancashire mosses, or parts of the Cheshire plain — two significant new grants have just opened and both carry hard deadlines this summer. Act quickly.
From 29 June 2026, farmers and land managers on lowland peat soils can apply for two new grants which support farmers and land managers to balance productive businesses with benefits for climate, nature and water. Conciergecheshire
Grant 1 — The Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant
Up to £2 million per project — closes 18 September 2026
Through the Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant, £36 million is available to support water management projects on lowland peat soils. Funding will support water infrastructure projects that help manage water levels across peat landscapes. Conciergecheshire
This can help to protect peat soils from degradation, improve long-term land viability, and support more resilient farming systems.
If you already have a water management implementation plan, you can apply for between £100,000 and £2 million. Grants can cover up to 100% of eligible project costs. Conciergecheshire
That’s full cost coverage — an unusually generous grant rate.
Key dates:
- Applications open: now
- Deadline: 11.59pm on 18 September 2026
- Grants awarded: December 2026
- Projects must be completed by: 31 March 2030
Free webinar: The Environment Agency is hosting a one-hour webinar on 15 July at 10am to explain the grant and application process. Register at the gov.uk link below.
👉 Apply and find full guidance at: gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-lowland-peat-water-implementation-grant
👉 Request an application pack by emailing: peatwatergrants@environment-agency.gov.uk
Grant 2 — The Paludiculture and Wetter Farming Fund
£10 million available — closes 21 August 2026
This is a more specialist grant aimed at farmers interested in exploring new crops and farming systems suited to wetter peat soils.
The Paludiculture and Wetter Farming Fund provides grants to improve understanding of the water management, machinery, harvesting and processing needed to create viable markets for food and fibre crops grown at high water tables. Conciergecheshire
The fund supports projects that develop supply chains and markets for wetland crops including Typha, Phragmites and Sphagnum, develop practical growing systems and suitable machinery, and strengthen the commercial case for farming food crops on wetter peat soils.
Key dates:
- Applications open: now
- Deadline: 5pm on 21 August 2026
Free webinar: Natural England is hosting a webinar on 7 July. Register by emailing PWFF@naturalengland.org.uk
👉 Apply via the Defra eCommercial portal Atamis: search for the Paludiculture and Wetter Farming Fund at atamis-9529.my.salesforce-sites.com
Is this relevant to North West farmers?
Yes — significant areas of the North West sit on lowland peat soils including:
- Chat Moss and the wider Manchester mosses
- The Lancashire mosses including Winmarleigh, Rawcliffe, and Pilling
- Parts of the Cheshire plain including areas around Nantwich and Ellesmere Port
- The Solway Firth fringes in Cumbria
If your land includes any area of lowland peat you should check eligibility before the deadlines pass.
Need free advice before applying?
The Farming Advice Service provides free, confidential advice to farmers considering these schemes. Contact them at gov.uk/government/groups/farming-advice-service before investing time in an application.
Don’t miss these deadlines — the August and September cutoffs are firm.
Join the NW Funding Radar to receive alerts when new farming grants open across the North West. Plain English, no jargon, straight to your inbox.
info@northwestfundingradar.co.uk
Related farming funding:
- SFI26 Window 1 — now open for small farms and farms without ELM agreements
- Farming & Rural Grants North West 2026 — full overview of available schemes
- Innovate UK Funding — innovation grants for North West businesses including agri-tech