Applications now open for grants to create woodland

FARMERS and landowners are being urged not to miss out on the countryside stewardship woodland creation grant.

The scheme opened for applications last week.

The woodland creation grant allows farmers and landowners to apply for up to £6,800 of capital works funding per hectare for tree protection tubes, deer fencing, wall-top-wiring and the trees themselves.

This year will also see the introduction of an addition to the scheme, which covers up to 40 per cent of woodland infrastructure costs.

This includes the construction of forest roads, gateways, stacking areas and turning heads.

Mike Dyke, H&H environment and woodland advisor, said landowners should take advantage of the scheme.

“This is a very welcome grant that covers the cost of establishing woodland as well as now making significant contributions to some of the infrastructure costs. However, it is a competitive process and the application can be complicated, so it is imperative that you have a strong and robust application that fits with the priorities of the scheme and can stand up to scrutiny.

“My advice to any farmer or landowner looking to create woodland of any size is that it is paramount that they look at the opportunities afforded by this grant as soon as possible.”

The woodland creation grant is a standalone capital grant that is designed to facilitate and encourage the planting of woodland that will improve biodiversity or help to reduce the risk of flooding and pollution.

In addition landowners may also apply to the woodland creation planning grant, which will contribute to the costs of research and analysis incurred when developing larger proposals for productive woodlands.

Applications for the woodland creation grant must be submitted before February 16.

Another option for farmers and landowners is the Woodland Carbon Fund (WCF), which has been designed to encourage large-scale woodland planting to facilitate the achievement of nation-wide carbon reduction governmental targets.

The WCF offers payments of up to £6,800/ha of proposed woodlands that follow the scheme’s specifications.

This can rise to £8,500/ha in designated priority areas should the landowner agree to allow permissive access to the public.

Like the woodlands creation grant, this fund can also contribute 40 per cent to infrastructure costs.

For more information on the countryside stewardship woodland creation grant, woodland creation planning grant or woodland carbon fund contact Mr Dyke on 01228 406260.