01673 818443If you plan to create woodland in England, you may be eligible for a grant from the Forestry Commission. We've listed the 3 major funding schemes available for woodland creation in England, plus links for funding sources for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland below.
When you are ready to go, British Hardwood Tree Nursery is a one stop shop for the supply of plants and accessories to give your woodland the best chance of success in its early years.
1. Woodland creation funding to improve biodiversity and water quality in England
Countryside Stewardship scheme funding is available from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) under the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). The Woodland Creation Grant (WCG) element of Countryside Stewardship supports you where your woodland will help one or more of the following:
- local biodiversity (priority habitats and priority species)
- water objectives (to improve water quality or help reduce flood risk)
- climate change mitigation or adaptation
You can apply for capital funding to establish new woodland, including planting trees and installing tree guards, fencing and gates. You could receive up to 80% of the standard costs for these items and a contribution of 40% of the cost of roads and tracks needed to support the woodland's establishment (including agent fees and VAT, where applicable). Payments are capped at an average £6,800 per hectare across the area for planting and protection (not including forest roads and tracks).
Find out if you're eligible for Countryside Stewardship Woodland Creation Grant and how to apply.
2. Funding to plan and design a new woodland in England
The Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG) provides funding to help cover the costs of producing a UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) compliant woodland creation design plan, which can support applications to other funding sources for woodland creation, such as the Woodland Carbon Fund.
This grant contributes to the costs of gathering and analysing information needed to make sure that your proposal for productive multi-purpose woodland (over 10 hectares) considers impacts on:
- biodiversity
- landscape
- water
- the historic environment
- local stakeholders
The grant also:
- ensures the tree species you want to plant are productive today and in the future to mitigate climate change
- helps to meet timber productivity thresholds in England
You can apply for up to £150 per hectare, capped at £30,000 per project.
Find out if you're eligible for the Woodland Creation Planning Grant and how to apply.
3. Funding for woodland creation to support carbon storage in England
The Woodland Carbon Fund supports the planting of productive, multi-purpose woodlands to store carbon. It also provides opportunities to work in partnership on landscape scale projects and open up public access to woodland and increase environmental benefits.
The scheme offers capital funding for the creation of new woodland. This includes the planting of trees and costs of protection items including tree guards, fencing and gates. You can also get funding for the installation of forest roads and recreational infrastructure.
A one-off capital payment of £1,000 per hectare is available in year 5 following successful establishment of the trees.
Find out if you're eligible for the Woodland Carbon Fund and how to apply.
For more information on funding in England please see:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/create-woodland-overview#woodland-creation-funding-and-grants
For grant funding information in Wales please see:
https://naturalresources.wales/about-us/grants-and-funding/grant-funding-opportunities/
For grant funding information in Scotland please see:
https://forestry.gov.scot/support-regulations/forestry-grants
For grant funding information Northern Ireland please see:
https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/daera-forestry-grants
