New £10m Natural Environment Grant Fund launched in East Suffolk

• Mitigation fund, part of Sizewell C’s Deed of Obligation, ensures the protection and enhancement of the natural environment
• Grants will be awarded to support landscape and biodiversity improvements
• Dedicated online grant portal available to applicants all year-round

A new £10m grant scheme has been launched to support environmental enhancement projects along the East coast.

The Natural Environment Improvement Fund (NEIF) is designed to mitigate the landscape and visual impacts of Sizewell C, the new nuclear power station under construction near Leiston in Suffolk.

An awards panel has been established to oversee the fund, comprising representatives from East Suffolk Council, Suffolk County Council, Sizewell C, Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape, and Natural England.

Grants will be distributed throughout Sizewell C’s construction phase, and during the first three years of its operation.

Sizewell C will fund NEIF as part of its Deed of Obligation.

Natalie Singleton has been appointed Project Officer within the Suffolk & Essex Coasts & Heaths National Landscape Team to assess grant applications and make recommendations to the panel.

Natalie said:

“East Suffolk is home to landscapes recognised for their natural beauty, from rare coastal habitats such as vegetated shingle to heathland and ancient woodland. The Natural Environment Improvement Fund offers an exciting funding opportunity for the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape and beyond. I look forward to working with applicants to support initiatives which protect and enhance these special habitats and places, their cultural heritage and the wildlife they support.”

The panel will meet regularly to review applications and award grants.

At least 50% of the funding will be allocated to eligible projects within the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape and the Suffolk Heritage Coast within East Suffolk.

The fund aims to:

• Deliver sustainable long-term management and maintenance of woodlands, hedges, and other established vegetation
• Enhance ecology, biodiversity, and wildlife
• Improve habitat connectivity and resilience
• Contribute to the conservation and enhancement of landscape character

Tom Daly, NEIF panel member and Cabinet Member for Energy and Climate Change, East Suffolk Council, said:

“The NEIF is an example of giving environment and nature proper regard in this project. Along with other mitigations and landscape commitments, it is a welcome acknowledgement that this huge development must be done with the future of our countryside very much in the foreground. I am pleased to be on the NEIF Panel and look forward to helping applicants make a lasting difference with this sizeable fund.”

Richard Rout, NEIF panel member and Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Devolution, Local Government Reorganisation and NSIPs, added:

“The people of Suffolk are understandably concerned by the impact that energy projects like Sizewell C will have on their lives. The Natural Environment Improvement Fund will seek to help address the impacts caused by Sizewell C, especially within the national landscape. As a member of the Panel set up to distribute this major new fund, I look forward to awarding grants to local community groups and others to help ensure Suffolk remains a truly great place for people and nature.”

The launch of this major new fund marks a significant step in ensuring that the natural environment in East Suffolk is protected and enhanced for future generations.

Applications are welcome for both single-year and multi-year projects. A dedicated online portal is available, providing full details of the fund, eligibility criteria, relevant geographic areas, and all materials required to prepare and submit an application.

While the fund will remain open for applications throughout the year, cut-off dates for panel reviews will be clearly published within the application pack and on the portal.

Julia Pyke, Joint Managing Director of Sizewell C, said

 “This fund reflects our commitment to protecting and enhancing the natural environment throughout the construction and operation of our power station. By supporting sustainable projects that improve habitat connectivity, conserve landscape character, and boost ecological resilience, we aim to leave a lasting positive legacy for local communities and wildlife. We look forward to working with our partners and applicants to deliver significant and meaningful environmental benefits across the Suffolk coast.”

Find out more at sizewellc.com

This is a joint news release on behalf of the Natural Environment Improvement Fund partners.