| Forestry
Branch out with woodland
The Forestry Commission is encouraging landowners and land managers to start planning now to apply for funding for
woodland creation available through the 2018 Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
pplication forms
and guidance for
the Countryside
Stewardship
woodland creation
grant are now
available online. This is much
earlier than in previous years;
giving landowners, managers and
agents more time to develop their
plans ahead of the window for
submitting applications opens in
January 2018.
Countryside stewardship offers
two year capital grants of up to
£6,800 per hectare to support
A
ground preparation, fencing and
tree protection and initial
maintenance, and an option to
subsequently apply for a
maintenance payment for up to 10
years, covering the initial period
while trees become established.
This funding aims to create
woodlands for biodiversity, water
quality and flood management.
But woodlands also offer
economic opportunities in rural
areas. As woodlands mature they
can provide a good source of
income thanks to thriving timber
and woodfuel industries and
40 | Farming Monthly | October 2017
multiple recreational uses. Other
benefits include carbon storage,
shelter for livestock and improved
soil.
If you have land available and
want to realise some or all of these
benefits by planting new woodland
you are encouraged to start
preparing applications for the
funding now. Applicants are
advised to contact the Forestry
Commission as early as possible
to get the most out of the advice
and assistance on offer.
The application process has
been improved this year, making it
easier to apply. For example, the
Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) requirements are now an
integrated part of the application
process, making it clearer and
easier.
Richard Greenhous, Director of
Forest Services for Forestry
Commission England said:
“By investing in woodlands now,
you will be in the best position to
reap the benefits of a sector with a
bright future, thanks to rising
timber prices and new
opportunities in carbon storage.
By planting trees now, you are also
investing long term in our
landscape and environment.
“Our Forestry Commission
teams are on hand to advise on
applications and help you make
the most of funding available to
create valuable new woodland.
We can help applicants ensure
they have all the information they
need to plant the right trees in the
right places, in order to meet your
project’s goals.
“We look forward to hearing
from applicants who want to reap
the economic, environmental and
social benefits of sustainable
woodland creation.”
The Woodland Creation Grant is
open to all land managers - owner
occupiers; tenants, land lords and
licensors, as long as they have
control of all the land and all the
activities needed to meet the
obligations of the grant for the full
duration of the agreement.
Successful applicants will
receive:
a 2 year capital grant (for
ground preparation, fencing and
tree protection and initial
maintenance, including new this
year wall top netting and access
infrastructure)
opportunity to apply for annual
maintenance payments for up to
ten years (to ensure the best start
for your woodland)
To access the forms and
guidance please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/co
llections/countryside-stewardship-
woodland-support
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