Grant changes aim to trigger more woodland planting

CHANGES to the woodland funding regime aim to get landowners planting more trees – with the knock-on effect of reducing the risk of flooding and improving water quality.

Adjustments to the criteria for applicants to the Woodland Creation Planning Grant and Woodland Carbon Fund were outlined by the Forestry Commission during a meeting at Barningham Village Hall.

Details of the 2018 Woodland Creation Scheme delivered via Countryside Stewardship payments were also outlined.

The commission’s Kate Hawley told those present the changes were part of a government drive to increase the woodland acreage in England.

The meeting was told greater incentives to plant more trees were the result of research commissioned by the Environment Agency to identify where woodland could be used to maximum effect to slow the movement of water – thus reducing flood risks further downstream and improving water quality.

Miss Hawley said that for the Countryside Stewardship Woodland Creation grant, the minimum area per application had been set at three hectares, unless the planting was specifically to deal with water issues, in which case that reduces to one hectare.

Landowners must also plant a minimum of 400 trees per hectare.

She said a payment cap of £6,800 per hectare would operate determined on an area-to-area basis.

“In addition to a contribution towards costs for planting and protection, such as tree guards, there are woodland creation maintenance payments available for eligible applications,” she said.

These offer £200/ha per year for ten years and fall within the Countryside Stewardship’s higher tier grant.

“There is also a 40 per cent grant available towards woodland infrastructure, which includes making woodland accessible by roads,” added Miss Hawley.

“Land which has been planted under a Countryside Stewardship Woodland Creation agreement cannot be used for an agricultural activity – and this also covers grazing – for a period of at least five years.

“Tenants can apply for funding, but they must have the full approval of the landlord for the duration of the scheme.”

Landowner Sir Edward Milbank, who led a tour of the Barningham Estate as part of the meeting, said tree planting was “top of my personal list”.

He added: “The uplands are at risk of being devalued as it becomes more difficult to make a living from sheep farming.

“With the great uncertainty of the CAP's future, Barningham Estate is looking to continue to diversify and with few alternative options available, tree planting is at the top of my personal list.

“Research has shown that the planting, management and felling of woodland would together ;provide greater employment and a greater return than sheep farming over the same acreage.”

In 2012, the estate planted 25 hectares of new woodland and set a goal to add to that – or improve existing woodland on an annual basis.

Half a dozen small wooded areas have been created to link existing conifer belts.

The estate is also working with the Woodland Trust to plant 25 caged individual landscaped trees each year, with 50 per cent funding from the trust and 50 per cent self funding.