Grants for Conservation Management Plans

The Trust is keen to encourage owners and managers of historic designed landscapes to recognise the importance of having a comprehensive conservation management plan (CMP) to inform the management and development of the gardens, parks and cemeteries of the county. Many designed landscapes in Devon already have a conservation management plan, but some do not, the Trust is therefore offering grants towards the preparation of conservation management plans.

The Trust's criteria for conservation management plan grants are:

  • The landscape must be a garden, park or cemetery in the county of Devon; priority will be given to sites included either on the Historic England Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest or on the Devon Gardens Trust Local List of Gardens or Parks of Local Historic Interest.
  • The applicant must be a registered charity whose aims and objectives are similar to those of Devon Gardens Trust (in exceptional circumstances DGT might consider an application from a non-charitable organization, in which case DGT will weigh carefully the public benefit, including public access, commitment to promote the historic significance of the landscape to the public and to public engagement, as well as heritage value).
  • The amount of grant will normally be up to 50% of the cost.
  • DGT will not normally award more than one grant to the same organization within a 3 year period.

Organisations awarded a Devon Gardens Trust grant are expected to

  • acknowledge DGT support publicly in a form to be agreed and to engage with DGT on publicity as agreed. DGT retains the right to publicize all project grants via its website and other media.
  • engage with DGT activities as appropriate and agreed.
  • submit a report to DGT at the completion or otherwise as agreed, on the progress, benefits  and outcomes of the project.

Applications may be submitted at any time. There is no formal application form but the Guidance for Conservation Management Plan Grant Applicants - Application Checklist details the information we would like to receive. The more information that you can provide the easier it is for the Trust to assess the application and it helps to minimise the queries we might have. However, we strongly advise contacting the Trust as early as possible when considering the commissioning of a conservation plan because the Trust's experts may be able to advise on the commissioning process.

The Trust will acknowledge applications, will make an initial assessment, and may then wish to meet with applicants, usually on site, to discuss the project. The Trust may offer suggestions and may ask for further information or amendments to be made to the application. The Trust will consider the application and advise the applicant of the outcome. 

A PDF copy of these criteria may be downloaded HERE.

Click Guidance for Conservation Management Plan Grant Applicants - Application Checklist to download the Checklist.