Forestry Commission - News - rural and crofting communities set to benefit from major funding boost for highland woodlands

Rural and crofting communities in the Highlands are among those set to benefit from a woodland grant of Ł1.5 million designed to complement the Highland Council's Forest and Woodland Strategy, encourage the development of small commercial woods, and improve forest habitat networks.

The money will be paid over three-years and comes in the form of a Forestry Commission Scotland Locational Premium - a grant payable in addition to the standard woodland planting grants available through Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme. (see notes to editors) The funding will support areas of work prioritised by Highland Council's strategy and enhance the local distinctiveness of the region.

Speaking after her Ministerial Statement to the Scottish Parliament today, Scottish Forestry Minister, Rhona Brankin said;

"I am pleased to announce this woodland grant of Ł1.5 million to the Highland region. This Forestry Commission Scotland grant will, over the next three years, be a welcome addition to Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme payments in the Highlands.

"There is a tremendous opportunity now to generate real benefits for rural and crofting communities from Assynt to Loch Sunart. I have visited both of these areas recently and it is clear that many Highland communities recognise the multi-functional benefits that forests can bring. The new grants are an investment for the future and will benefit both local businesses and the environment."

Two main development strands are identified by the grant;

creation of small commercial woods
creation of forest habitat networks

The first strand aims to encourage the creation of small commercial woods (up to 30 hectares) of species such as Douglas fir and Larch which can be utilised to bring added value to crofting townships and rural communities. Timber produced from such woods can, for example, be used in local house construction or even supply chips for woodfuel. Woodfuel and other forms of biomass are important sources of renewable energy. These productive woods will also complement the extensive new native forests created across the region over the last 15 years.

The other strand outlined by the premium focuses on increasing connectivity of woods and forests in the region through the creation of habitat networks. These new linkages will allow fragmented woodlands to function as larger ecosystems and improve the adaptability of woodland species potentially threatened by climate change.

Highland Councillor and Chair of the Highland Forestry Forum, Cllr Ian Ross added;

"I warmly welcome the announcement of the Highland Locational Premium grant. It will help encourage the development of new and existing woodland throughout the region and complement the Highland Council's new woodland strategy. The funding provides land managers in the region with enhanced opportunities to develop native woodland, engage communities and increase biodiversity through robust habitat networks."

The new grant will be administered by Forestry Commission Scotland. Details of grants are available on website www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland. Alternatively contact Highland Conservancy tel: 01349 862144, email: highland.cons@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.

Notes to Editors:

1) Scottish Forestry Minister Rhona Brankin gave her Ministerial Statement, Forests for Scotland, to the Scottish Parliament today. The statement covered a range of issues including, sustainable development, the role of forests in education, support for the sector and how woodlands are improving the lives of people in urban communities.

2) A Locational Premium is a grant payable in addition to the standard woodland planting grants available from the Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme (SFGS). It is called a 'Locational' premium because it is only available in parts of Scotland where the Scottish Executive considers that woodland planting, regeneration, improvement or management are priorities for social, environmental or economic reasons. The Highlands are such an area.

3) Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Executive's forestry department. It supports woodland owners with grants, felling licenses, advice and regulation; manages nearly 664,000 hectares of national forest land owned by Scottish Ministers for multiple benefits including timber production, nature conservation and public recreation; and advises Ministers on forestry policy.

4) The Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme makes a range of grants available to help land managers to plant, regenerate, manage and improve forests and woods.

Media enquiries to:
Diana McGowan, Forestry Commission Scotland, press office, tel: 0131 314 6507, email: diana.mcgowan@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.