For those who have been thinking of planting woodland, there is good news! The Forestry Commission have announced that there is now a rolling application window for the CS Woodland Creation Grant, so applications can be submitted throughout the year. The Forestry Commission has also provided some advice for those who are interested in applying:

  • It will take at least 5 months for an application to be processed.
  • Land being included in a CS Woodland Creation Grant application needs to be registered on the RPA’s land database. Before applying, check that the land is correctly registered on the Rural Payments service. Please also refer to Forestry Commission Operations Note 042 which gives further information about including land in a CS Woodland Creation Grant agreement, the effect on BPS eligibility and the need to submit an RLE1 form to request that the RPA updates the mapped ‘land cover’ for the affected land.
  • The UK Government has guaranteed that any agreements where funding has been agreed before the end of 2020 will be funded for their full lifetime.
  • Follow @ForestryComm on twitter to see hints and tips on applying for the CS Woodland Creation Grant

This grant scheme covers a wide variety of items from the cost of the trees to tree shelters, fencing, gates and even wooden dams to reduce flood risk. Further annual payments to maintain the newly created woodland can be applied for once the new woodland is in place. This is available through Countryside Stewardship and would consist of a 10 year Woodland Creation Maintenance grant.

If you would like further advice with regards to the Woodland Creation Grant, please contact Charles Daniell on 01684 325215 or 07814 033449.


*(Picture source: Forestry Commision England)