Sustainable Development Fund
What is it?
Funding is available to support projects that support a more sustainable way of living in, working in and visiting the National Landscape, while conserving and enhancing its natural beauty
What does it fund?
We will support projects that:
- Conserve and enhance the natural beauty and heritage of Cannock Chase National Landscape
- Support the social and economic wellbeing of local communities in sustainable ways that care for the environment
- Have the support and involvement of local people and meet a recognised local need
- Help deliver the AONB Management Plan
- Encourage everyone to get involved
- Remove barriers to people’s enjoyment and involvement in the outdoors
- Bring people together to tackle problems or promote new ideas
Examples of funded projects
These have previously all received money through this fund:
- Installation of bird and bat boxes.
- Creating wildlife gardens in school grounds
- Production of information boards, leaflets and books.
- Wildlife surveys such as the 2022 Cannock Chase Quinquennial Breeding Bird Survey.
- Heritage projects.
- Production and promotion of a video to raise awareness of the National Landscape and the protection it needs.
- Providing access to art and eco-therapy to clients with a mental health diagnosis.
Who can apply?
Applications are welcome from public, private, voluntary sector, community groups, individuals and businesses.
Projects on land outside the National Landscape boundary up to approximately one kilometre can be supported where a benefit to the designated area or the objectives of the National Landscape can be demonstrated.
You can check if your land is within the boundaries of the National Landscape on the MAGIC mapping website. Choose the Map Layers tab on the top left, then follow these steps:
- select ‘Magic’ and in each case, click the arrow on the left to open the menu.
- select Designations (open the menu)
- select Land-Based Designations
- select Statutory
- select Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (England) and National Parks (England) and zoom in to, or search for ‘Cannock’ within the search bar at the top of the page.
What are the funding requirements?
Applicants are normally expected to contribute at least 25% of total project costs either from their own reserves, other funding sources, or ‘in kind’ contributions such as volunteer time or the loan of premises or equipment.
For smaller grants of £500 or under funding could be given up to 100% of the project costs.
Decisions on grant awards are made by a Panel of National Landscape partners and stakeholders
How do I apply?
The best way to make a start with your application is to read the SDF Guidance notes and think how your project fits within them.
If you have a project in mind, you are encouraged to get in touch. We can give you pointers that will give your project the best chance of being funded.
Email: cannockchase@staffordshire.gov.uk and a National Landscape officer will contact you.
The closing date for applications is midnight 31st May 2026 and projects must be completed by 31st March 2027.
Application Pack
More information about the fund is included below. Just click on the buttons to download the documents.
Our work
Our work is wide-ranging and spans across our four integrated strategic aims for Nature, Climate, People and Place.
You can find out here about the current projects we are working on, how our funding streams can support you and discover the variety of advice and guidance that is available, including resources to download.
Latest news
The news posts below provide more information on work in progress and latest news of Cannock Chase and our partners.
Take a look at the latest Cannock Chase National Landscape e-newsletter for May 2026. Booking is now open for the Annual Conference 2026. You can find
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Join us for Cannock Chase National Landscape Annual Conference 2026, and a day of networking, learning and sharing ideas! This year’s conference is being held
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Take a look at the latest Cannock Chase National Landscape e-newsletter for April 2026. The National Landscape offers a range of grants that can help
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We are pleased to announce that the Cannock Chase National Landscape Annual Conference will be held on Wednesday 3rd June 2026 at the Aquarius Ballroom,
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Take a look at the latest Cannock Chase National Landscape e-newsletter for March 2026. The e-newsletter will keep you up to date on news from
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This is a face-to-face meeting taking place on Monday 16th March 2026 at 2pm at the Main Conference Room, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Wolseley Centre ST17
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