AFTER four years of development the Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme has been awarded a £1.8m grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

With match funding from the National Trust, Friends of Quantock, the Quantock Hills AONB and EDF Energy the award will allow the £2.6m, five-year scheme to begin delivery to enhance the landscape, natural environment and provide more opportunities for people to engage and enjoy the 200km2 scheme area.

The scheme aims to inspire communities to learn from the centuries of landscape development on the Quantock Hills and undertake a wide range of projects providing resilience and protection of the land into the future.

The scheme will deliver a number of projects for people to ‘inspire, live and learn’.

Bob Croft, chairman of the Quantocks Landscape Partnership said: “The project will enable more people to discover and experience the natural beauty and rich heritage of this unique landscape.

"From research projects that explore local archaeology and heritage to nature walks and cultural events, we look forward to working with local communities to celebrate what makes the Quantock landscape special.”

Chris Edwards, Quantock Hills AONB manager, added: “This funding award is great news for all those who live, work in, care for, or simply enjoy the Quantock Hills."