Unlocking Funding: A Comprehensive Guide to Woodland Creation Grants

Enhancing biodiversity, sequestering carbon, and preserving the rich heritage of the UK's landscapes through woodland creation are essential goals. However, navigating the complex array of grants and funding options can be challenging for many landowners. This article aims to demystify the grants available for woodland creation, guiding you through the opportunities that can transform your land into a thriving, sustainable woodland.

Understanding the Landscape

Before delving into the specifics, it’s important to comprehend the broader landscape of woodland creation in the UK. The government and various organizations are committed to increasing woodland coverage to combat climate change and enhance biodiversity. Key to this endeavour is the provision of grants to support landowners in planting and managing new woodlands. These grants are designed to cover costs associated with planning, planting, and maintaining woodlands.

Key Grants for Woodland Creation

1. England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)

Overview:The England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) is a flagship grant from the Forestry Commission, aimed at incentivizing woodland creation. It offers funding for a wide range of woodland types and can cover up to 100% of the capital costs associated with establishing new woodlands.

What it Covers:

• Establishment Costs: This includes planting trees, fencing, and tree guards.
• Maintenance Payments: Annual maintenance payments for ten years to help with the costs of managing the new woodland.
• Additional Contributions: Funding for infrastructure like paths, car parks, and public access improvements.

Eligibility:Any owner of land in England can apply, whether private individuals, companies, or local authorities.

How to Apply:Applications are open year-round, with a two-stage application process involving an initial application and a detailed design plan.

2. Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG)

Overview:The Woodland Creation Planning Grant is designed to help landowners develop a comprehensive woodland creation plan. This plan is crucial for larger projects, ensuring they meet environmental and regulatory standards.

What it Covers:

• Professional Advice: Funding for the costs associated with hiring consultants to develop the plan.
• Surveys: Costs of ecological surveys, soil testing, and other necessary preparatory work.

Eligibility:Landowners planning to create woodlands larger than 10 hectares.

How to Apply:Submit an expression of interest to the Forestry Commission, followed by a detailed application if invited to proceed.

3. Countryside Stewardship Woodland Creation Grant

Overview:This grant supports the creation of new woodland as part of a broader land management strategy under the Countryside Stewardship scheme.

What it Covers:

• Planting Costs: Trees, planting, and protection.
• Establishment Support: Annual payments for up to ten years to aid with the costs of establishing the woodland.
• Additional Payments: For public access, biodiversity enhancement, and water management.

Eligibility:Available to landowners, tenants, and lessees in England who own or manage land.

How to Apply:Applications are made through the Rural Payments service, with a two-stage process involving an initial application and a detailed land management plan.

4. Scotland’s Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS)

Overview:Scotland offers a dedicated Forestry Grant Scheme to support woodland creation and sustainable forest management. This scheme is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

What it Covers:

• Capital Costs: Including tree planting, fencing, and infrastructure.
• Maintenance Payments: Annual maintenance payments to help with ongoing management costs.
• Additional Options: Funding for agroforestry, woodland improvement, and habitat networks.

Eligibility:Available to landowners, tenants, and public bodies in Scotland.

How to Apply:Applications can be submitted online through the Rural Payments and Services portal, with detailed guidance provided by Forestry and Land Scotland.

5. Welsh Government Woodland Creation Grants

Overview:Wales offers several grants under the Glastir Woodland Creation scheme, aiming to increase woodland cover and enhance environmental benefits.

What it Covers:

• Establishment Costs: Trees, planting, and necessary protection measures.
• Maintenance Payments: Annual payments to assist with ongoing management.
• Enhanced Payments: For woodlands that provide public benefits such as access and biodiversity.

Eligibility:Landowners and managers in Wales.

How to Apply:Applications are processed through Rural Payments Wales, with specific windows for grant applications.

6. Northern Ireland’s Forest Expansion Scheme

Overview:Northern Ireland’s Forest Expansion Scheme supports the creation of new woodlands to enhance biodiversity and provide ecosystem services.

What it Covers:

• Establishment Grants: Covering the costs of tree planting and initial management.
• Maintenance Payments: Annual payments for up to ten years to assist with management.

Eligibility:Private landowners, farmers, and public bodies.

How to Apply:Applications are made through the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) with guidance available from Forest Service Northern Ireland.

7. AGF1: Maintain Very Low Density In-Field Agroforestry on Less Sensitive Land

Overview:The AGF1 grant is part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme, aimed at encouraging the maintenance of very low-density in-field agroforestry systems on less sensitive land. This practice combines tree planting with traditional farming to achieve multiple environmental benefits.

What it Covers:

• Annual Payments: £248 per hectare (ha) per year.
• Coverage: Includes the area used to grow agroforestry trees and the spaces between them, which can be used for arable or horticultural crops, grassland, or other eligible environmental management schemes.

Duration:Three years.

Action’s Aim:The goal is to establish and maintain a very low-density in-field agroforestry system, which includes a combination of trees and agricultural land. This helps to reduce soil erosion, improve water and air quality, provide shelter for crops and livestock, and contribute to carbon capture.

Eligibility:

• Land Types: Arable, grassland.
• Eligible Land: Land below the moorland line, registered with an eligible land cover on digital maps, and declared with a compatible land use code.
• Ineligible Land: Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and areas with historic or archaeological features.

How to Apply:Follow the guidelines provided in the SFI scheme information. Applications are expected to open fully from summer 2024.

8. AGF2: Maintain Low Density In-Field Agroforestry on Less Sensitive Land

Overview:The AGF2 grant, also part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme, supports the maintenance of low-density in-field agroforestry systems on less sensitive land. This encourages a higher density of trees compared to AGF1, while still integrating traditional farming practices.

What it Covers:

• Annual Payments: £385 per hectare (ha) per year.
• Coverage: Includes the area used to grow agroforestry trees and the spaces between them, which can be used for arable or horticultural crops, grassland, or other eligible environmental management schemes.

Duration:Three years.

Action’s Aim:The aim is to establish and maintain a low-density in-field agroforestry system, combining trees and agricultural land to reduce soil erosion, improve water and air quality, provide shelter for crops and livestock, and contribute to carbon capture.

Eligibility:

• Land Types: Arable, grassland.
• Eligible Land: Land below the moorland line, registered with an eligible land cover on digital maps, and declared with a compatible land use code.
• Ineligible Land: Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and areas with historic or archaeological features.

How to Apply:Applications follow the SFI scheme guidelines, with full details available as the scheme expands in 2024.

9. Maintain or Establish Hedgerow Trees

Overview:This grant is part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme and supports the maintenance or establishment of hedgerow trees to enhance wildlife habitats and provide carbon storage benefits.

What it Covers:

• Annual Payments: £10 per 100 metres (m) for both sides of an eligible hedgerow per year.

Duration:Three years.

Action’s Aim:The goal is to maintain or establish hedgerow trees to provide habitats for wildlife and carbon storage benefits.

Eligibility:

• Land Types: Arable, grassland, moorland, and upland.
• Eligible Hedgerow: Must be a boundary line of shrubs or both shrubs and trees, over 20m long, and less than 10m wide.

How to Apply:Follow the guidelines provided in the SFI scheme information, ensuring that the hedgerow meets the specified criteria and you have management control of both sides.

Navigating the Process with Grant

At Glafos, we understand the complexities and challenges faced by landowners, who is keen on sustainable land management but finds the grant landscape perplexing and convoluted. This is where our digital assistant, Grant, comes into play. Designed to simplify the process, Grant offers personalized advice and support, helping landowners navigate the intricacies of woodland creation and access the right grants.

How Grant Can Help

• Personalized Advice: Grant provides tailored recommendations based on your land’s characteristics and your specific goals.
• Grant Application Support: Step-by-step guidance through the application process, ensuring you understand and meet all requirements.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assistance in navigating regulatory frameworks and securing necessary approvals.

Taking the First Step

Woodland creation offers a multitude of benefits, from enhancing biodiversity and sequestering carbon to creating new recreational spaces and generating potential income. While the funding landscape can be daunting, the array of grants available in the UK provides substantial support for landowners committed to this cause.

By leveraging tools like Grant and tapping into available grants, landowners can transform their vision of thriving woodlands into reality, contributing to a sustainable future for the UK’s landscapes.

To explore the grants available for your land and start your woodland creation journey, chat with Grant today and take the first step towards a greener, more sustainable future

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