I think the problem is that traditional land maintenance is quite dull and requires a modest annual spend, essentially forever.

Whereas what Lotteries and Grants like is sparkly Change, and Improvement and Reaching Out to New Audiences, and big plastic banners inciting people to Do Stuff.

I am reaching the point where I am seriously thinking of starting a second career as a sign-tearer-downer. That would be Tolkienish as well, though not in quite the approved way.