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Natural Environment Improvement Fund

The Natural Environment Improvement Fund is a Sizewell C fund of nearly £10

million, to be invested in the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National

Landscape and Suffolk Heritage Coast in East Suffolk, and their setting.

The Natural Environment Improvement Fund “the Fund” recognises that the siting of a nuclear power station in a designated landscape will result in landscape and visual impacts over a wide area, which cannot be fully addressed through the direct mitigation measures embedded in the Sizewell

C Project.

The Fund therefore aims to not only mitigate the residual landscape and visual impacts of the Sizewell C Project, but contribute to the conservation and enhancement of landscape character and biodiversity, and improve habitat connectivity and resilience in the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape and beyond.

Application Criteria

During the Construction Period, and for three years following completion, eligible applicants can apply to the Fund for projects that will;

  1. Mitigate the residual landscape and visual impacts of the Sizewell C Project
  2. Deliver sustainable long-term management and maintenance of woodlands, hedges and other established vegetation that contribute to the conservation and enhancement of landscape character
  3. Enhance ecology, biodiversity, and wildlife, and improve habitat connectivity and resilience

Applicants to the fund will be encouraged to demonstrate how their project may also:


  • Minimise the pollution of land, air, and water
  • Encourage community engagement, ownership empowerment
  • Conserve and support cultural heritage
  • Promote local community action
  • Make use of local suppliers, products, and services·      
  • Be able to access other funding either in cash or in kind

Geographic Area

Applications will be invited for eligible projects within the Natural Environment Improvement Area. This encompasses the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape and Suffolk Heritage Coast boundaries in East Suffolk, plus an area outside that is impacted by development associated with the Sizewell C Project


Where projects fall within the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape, and the Suffolk Heritage Coast, applicants will need to demonstrate how their project will conserve and enhance the natural beauty and special qualities of the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape, the Suffolk Heritage Coast and their setting.

Projects within the administrative area of East Suffolk Council (or by exception elsewhere) that are located outside of the Natural Environment Improvement Area will also be considered if they otherwise meet the criteria of the Fund.

Awards Panel

The Fund is governed by The Natural Environment Awards Panel, which is made up of representatives from East Suffolk Council, Suffolk County Council, Natural England, the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape Partnership, and Sizewell C.

The panel will award up to £6,202,640 in grants during the Construction Period (estimated between 9-12 years), and up to £3,500,660 for the three years following the completion of the Construction Period. A minimum of 50% of funding will be allocated to eligible projects within the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape, and Suffolk Heritage Coast within East Suffolk.

Who can apply?

Applicants must fit into at least one of the following criteria:


  • Registered charity
  • Landowner or group of landowners in the vicinity of the Sizewell C Project
  • Community group, voluntary organisation, social enterprise, or public body
  • An individual(s) or business(es) where the project shows a clear benefit to the wider community

The Natural Environment Improvement Fund will open for applications in 2025. If you would like more information, or to discuss a potential bid to the Natural Environment Improvement Fund, please contact Natalie Singleton, Natural Environment Improvement Project Officer, National Landscape Team by emailing [email protected].

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