The most recent information and assistance relating to forestry grants in Scotland. Updates prior to November 09 are in the archived grants and licences news section.
Most recent update:
Published 2nd March 2010
Scottish Rural Development Plan (SRDP) 2014-2020 Regional Meetings
The Confederation of Forest Industries (ConFor) are holding three Regional Meetings at the end of March / early April to discuss the forestry grant structure for the next SRDP. See the SRDP Regional Meetings page for details.
Published 12th February 2010
Funding limit relaxed to speed up tree planting
The Scottish Government has announced an initiative which should help speed up new woodland planting being funded through the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP).
At present, a financial limit only allows for applications up to around 50 hectares to be considered on a 'fast track' basis. To increase the impetus for creating new woodlands, the raised financial threshold of £750,000 per case will be introduced, allowing bigger schemes to pass through the on-going application process.
The increase in funding limit applies to proposals for new woodlands within Rural Priorities. Proposals for the management of existing woodlands will continue to benefit from the ongoing approval up to a maximum case value of £250K. The new limit comes into effect on an immediate basis.
For more information on SRDP and Rural priorities, please go to RDC-RP page.
Published 4th February 2010
Updated Q&A Guidance for Forestry Challenge Funds.
This update clarifies the position with regards to Value Added Tax and how it applies to the FCS Challenge Funds. In addition, amendments to the monitoring and evaluation questions have been made. The updated documents are 'how to apply/general guidance' and the scoring sheet and guidance, all under 'Applying for funding' on the Challenge Funds page.
Published 22nd December 2009
Revised Guidance for handling restructuring felling and regeneration proposals
This Guidance has been made current and also revised to include reference to ongoing approvals and by pass of SOI. You can download the revised guidance (PDF 34k) or find it on the Woodland Improvement Grants page under 'restructuring regeneration'.
Published: 27th November 2009
Revised WGS and SFGS claim forms (November 2009)
These forms have been updated to reflect the use of "Land Parcel Identifiers (LPID)" instead of FID numbers. We have also provided room to give the Sub Location Code(s) if the area in the claim is not covered by the Main Location Code.
Published: November 2009
Following approval of the Statutory Instrument on 7th November, some changes have been made to the grant rates for Woodland Creation, Community Woodland Supplement, the Capital Items 'Deer Fence' and 'Re-spacing natural regeneration' and also the minimum forest holding required for 'Improving the Economic Value of Forests' option.
Guidance for these options is being updated on the Scottish Government website. See: Scottish Government – List of Options
The main changes are:
Woodland Creation – updated list of revised grant rates available. New rates will apply to all claims received after 7th November.
Woodland Creation – 'Mixed conifer/broadleaf' option – 10 hectare maximum threshold for all cases submitted on or after 7th November.
Community Woodland Contribution – increased to £1500 per hectare.
You can download details of the rates on the Woodland Creation page.
Capital item 'Deer Fence' associated with Woodland Creation options - now based on increased standard cost of £7.25 per metre, payable at 80% in LFA and 70% in non-LFA.
Capital item 'Deer Fence' associated with Woodland Improvement Grant options of 'Improving Woodland Habitats and species' - now based on increased standard cost of £7.25 per metre.
Capital item 'Re-spacing natural regeneration' associated with Woodland Improvement Grant option 'Improving Woodland Habitats and Species' – now based on increased standard cost (100%) rate of £600 per hectare.
Capital item 'Re-spacing natural regeneration' associated with Improving Economic Value of Forests option – now based on increased standard cost (100%) rate of £600 per hectare. We will accept claims based on invoices up to 50% of these increased ceiling costs.
Improving Economic Value of Forests Option – minimum area of forest holding required has been reduced from 30 hectares to 1 hectare.
Agri-Environment Standard Cost Capital Items – guidance associated with Standard Cost Capital Items updated – Capital Item "Deer fence" associated with agri-environment options now based on increased standard cost (100%) rate of £7.25 per metre.
