Projects and thresholds

For all the different types of Forestry projects an area threshold exists. If the area of land on which the project is proposed is greater than the area threshold, an EIA may be required. Separate area thresholds exist for land that is in sensitive and non sensitive areas.

Forestry Projects

Afforestation: Planting new woods and forests, includes direct seeding or natural regeneration, planting Christmas trees or short rotation coppice
Deforestation: Felling woodland to use the land for a different purpose
Forest roads: The formation, alteration or maintenance of private ways on land used (or to be used) for forestry purposes. This includes roads within a forest or leading to one
Forestry quarries:
Quarrying to obtain materials required for forest road works on land that is used or will be used for forestry purposes or on land held or occupied with that land

Area thresholds and sensitive areas

Project Threshold where any part of the land is in a sensitive area Threshold where no part of the land is in a sensitive area
Afforestation 2 hectares where the land is in a National Park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or National Scenic Area (NSA).
No threshold in other sensitive areas
5 hectares
Deforestation 0.5 hectare where the land is in a National Park, AONB or NSA. No threshold in other sensitive areas 1 hectare
Forest Roads No threshold 1 hectare
Forest Quarries No threshold 1 hectare

Important: If any work has been carried out in an area adjacent to the project within the previous five years, this area must also be counted towards the area threshold. Contact the Forestry Commission for further advice.

Land Information Search
A Land Information Search (LIS) is available on country websites. Use this to identify any designations or sensitivities that may affect the project. The sensitivities will affect the particular area threshold that must be used. Contact details for the relevant organisation responsible for these features are provided on the report that is produced.

Definition of sensitive areas

land notified under subsection (1) of section 28 (areas of special scientific interest) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
land to which subsection (3) of section 29 (nature conservancy orders) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 applies
a National Park within the meaning of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949
the Broads
a property appearing on the World Heritage List kept under article 11(2) of the 1972 UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the Worlds Cultural and Natural Heritage
a scheduled monument within the meaning of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979
an area of outstanding natural beauty designated as such by an order made by the Countryside Agency as respects England or the Countryside Council for Wales, as respects Wales, and duly confirmed under section 87 (designation of areas of outstanding natural beauty) of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949
an area designated as a Natural Heritage Area by a direction made by the Secretary of State or the Scottish Ministers under section 6(2) of the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991(d) or as a National Scenic Area by a direction made by the Secretary of State under section 262C of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972(e)
a European site within the meaning of regulation 10 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations 1994

Check the area threshold table with the area of the project, Projects with an area less than the threshold will not normally require consent

Forestry Commission is the competent authority for four forestry projects
A combination of area thresholds and location within or without sensitive areas will determine whether an opinion is required

Forms and booklets.jpg
Environmental Impact Assessment of Forestry Projects (881k - pdf)
Determination form (60k - pdf)

| | | |