Apply now for Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant (UK)

The Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant supports projects that improve water management in lowland peat soils across England by raising water tables, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable land use. The grant funds infrastructure, water control measures, monitoring, and long-term management approaches that support peatland restoration, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

Program Overview

The Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant provides financial support for projects that improve water management in drained lowland peat areas.

The scheme aims to restore healthier peatland conditions by installing infrastructure and implementing water control measures that safely raise water tables. These actions help reduce carbon emissions from degraded peat soils while supporting sustainable agricultural practices, biodiversity protection, and wider environmental benefits.

Projects must demonstrate how improved water management will create long-term environmental outcomes and support sustainable land use.

Grant at a Glance

• Program: Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant
• Country: United Kingdom
• Eligible Area: England
• Focus Area: Lowland peat water management
• Main Objectives: Peatland restoration, greenhouse gas reduction, sustainable land use
• Eligible Applicants: Charities, not-for-profit organisations, public bodies, land managers, businesses, and commercial enterprises

Program Objectives

The grant aims to:

• Improve water management in lowland peat soils.
• Raise water tables to suitable levels.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from peatlands.
• Support sustainable land management.
• Restore peatland and wetland habitats.
• Protect biodiversity.
• Reduce flood and drought risks.
• Encourage collaboration among peatland stakeholders.
• Support long-term environmental resilience.

Funding Priorities

The program supports projects that focus on:

• Rewetting lowland peat through infrastructure improvements.
• Installing water control measures.
• Improving peatland hydrology.
• Reducing carbon emissions.
• Supporting sustainable farming practices.
• Developing paludiculture systems.
• Restoring peatland and wetland habitats.
• Creating landscape-scale sustainable land use approaches.

Understanding the Program

Lowland peat soils store significant amounts of carbon, but when they become drained and degraded, they can release greenhouse gases and lose their ability to provide important environmental benefits.

The Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant supports practical projects that restore healthier water conditions by increasing water tables and improving peatland management.

By creating better water management systems, projects can help balance agricultural production with climate and environmental goals.

Eligible Project Activities

Funding may support activities such as:

• Installing water control infrastructure.
• Raising water tables in drained peat areas.
• Managing watercourses.
• Implementing peatland restoration measures.
• Supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
• Developing long-term peatland management plans.
• Monitoring water levels and environmental outcomes.
• Establishing systems for maintaining project results.

Supported Sustainable Land Uses

Projects may support a landscape-scale approach that combines:

• Conventional farming at higher water tables.
• Paludiculture (wet farming systems adapted to wet peat conditions).
• Peatland restoration.
• Wetland habitat restoration.
• Sustainable land management practices.

Why This Grant Matters

Lowland peatlands play an important role in climate regulation, biodiversity protection, and water management.

The grant helps:

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Protect valuable peat ecosystems.
• Improve biodiversity.
• Support climate adaptation.
• Reduce flood and drought impacts.
• Create sustainable farming opportunities.
• Strengthen collaboration between landowners and environmental stakeholders.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Charities.
• Not-for-profit organisations.
• Public bodies.
• Local authorities.
• Internal drainage boards.
• Land managers.
• Businesses.
• Commercial enterprises.

Applicants must be responsible for delivering eligible peatland water management activities.

Project Eligibility Requirements

Projects must:

• Focus on drained lowland peat soils in England.
• Raise water tables where they are below the optimum level for reducing carbon emissions.
• Deliver practical implementation activities.
• Include long-term maintenance plans.
• Demonstrate environmental benefits.
• Avoid duplication of funding from other sources.
• Not be activities already required by law.

Required Project Information

Applicants must provide:

Peatland Information

Applicants should demonstrate:

• The area of peat where water tables will be raised.
• The extent and depth of peat within the project area.

Water Management Plan

Applicants should explain:

• The target water table or watercourse levels.
• Why these levels are suitable.
• How the changes will be achieved.
• The infrastructure required.
• Long-term management arrangements.

Site Assessment

Applicants should identify:

• Site constraints.
• Potential challenges.
• Solutions to address these challenges.
• Environmental considerations.
• Possible impacts on neighbouring land.

Monitoring and Maintenance

Projects must include:

• Monitoring methods.
• Plans to maintain water table improvements.
• Approaches for measuring long-term outcomes.

Environmental Considerations

Applicants must consider:

• Potential impacts on surrounding areas.
• Changes required for neighbouring land management.
• Risks of unintended environmental consequences.
• Mitigation measures to address possible challenges.

Expected Outcomes

Successful projects should deliver:

• Improved peatland water management.
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
• Increased biodiversity benefits.
• Better flood and drought resilience.
• Sustainable agricultural practices.
• Restored wetland habitats.
• Long-term landscape improvements.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Confirm that your organisation meets the eligibility requirements.
2. Identify a suitable lowland peat project site in England.
3. Assess current peat condition and water management challenges.
4. Develop a plan for raising water tables.
5. Design required infrastructure and water control measures.
6. Prepare a long-term maintenance and monitoring strategy.
7. Explain environmental benefits and risk mitigation measures.
8. Prepare a detailed project budget.
9. Submit the application with all required evidence and supporting information.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying for projects outside eligible lowland peat areas.
• Failing to demonstrate peat depth and location.
• Not explaining long-term maintenance plans.
• Ignoring impacts on neighbouring areas.
• Requesting duplicate funding.
• Proposing activities already required by legislation.
• Providing insufficient monitoring details.

Tips for a Strong Application

To strengthen an application:

• Clearly demonstrate the environmental need.
• Provide evidence about peat conditions.
• Explain how water levels will be managed.
• Include realistic infrastructure plans.
• Show long-term sustainability.
• Demonstrate collaboration with local stakeholders.
• Include clear monitoring methods and measurable outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of the Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant?

The grant supports projects that improve water management in lowland peat soils by raising water tables, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting sustainable land use.

Who can apply for the grant?

Eligible applicants include charities, not-for-profit organisations, public bodies, local authorities, internal drainage boards, land managers, businesses, and commercial enterprises.

Where must projects take place?

Projects must focus on drained lowland peat soils located in England.

What types of activities are funded?

The grant supports infrastructure installation, water control measures, peatland restoration activities, monitoring systems, and long-term water management approaches.

Can projects receive funding from other sources?

No. Projects must not receive duplicate funding for the same activities.

Do projects need a maintenance plan?

Yes. Applicants must explain how water management improvements and project outcomes will be maintained over the long term.

What makes a strong application?

Strong applications demonstrate clear environmental benefits, effective water management plans, evidence of peat conditions, stakeholder collaboration, and long-term sustainability.

Conclusion

The Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant supports practical solutions to restore and protect England’s lowland peat landscapes. By improving water management, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable land use, the program helps deliver long-term climate, biodiversity, and environmental benefits while supporting resilient landscapes and communities.