Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme Forest Plans
Forest Plans under the Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme (SFGS) closed to new applications in December 2005. Unapproved plans had to be approved by 31 December 2006.
How to get approval for your restocking
You must get approval from the local Conservancy Office before you carry out any restocking. You must tell us when you intend to restock, the area and the species involved.
Rates and how we will pay for restocking grant claims associated with an approved SFGS Forest Plan
You can claim for restocking associated with your SFGS Forest Plan at the restructuring rates agreed for Rural Development Contracts as shown below.
| Restructuring species | Rate per hectare |
|---|---|
| Sitka | £520 |
| Other conifers | £654 |
| Mixed broadleaves | £820 |
| Native broadleaves | £905 |
| Caledonian Scots Pine | £833 |
| Natural regeneration | £520 |
Please note that since October 2008 if you wish to claim you must be IACS registered. To claim a restocking grant, use Form FP4: claim for a restocking grant (PDF 91k).
If you have any queries, please get in touch with your local Conservancy Office.
Last Date for applying for restocking grants
The Regulations that allow payment of this grant will cease to have any legal effect from 31st December 2013 (“the closure date”)
Claims for the above payment rates can only be made on completion of restocking.
We must receive your claims by 30th November 2013 to allow us to process these before the “closure date”.
If you cannot carry out restocking by 30th November 2013, you must consider applying for the current RDC-RP Sustainable Management of Forests Restructuring Felling (SMF-RF) and Woodland Improvement Grant Restructuring Regeneration (WIG-RR) (the latter not payable for natural regeneration or for planting Sitka Spruce).
You must have an RDC-RP contract in place for these grants before starting any work. Do not carry out any felling till you get an approved contract..
Alternatively, if you have felled the trees prior to the publication of this update of January 2012, then, because you are ineligible for SMF-RF under Rural Priorities, we will allow you to claim a “felling payment” of £520 provided the felled area had permission under the SFGS Forest Plan. You can then still apply for WIG-RR under Rural Priorities.
Making contract amendments or transferring obligations
Amending an existing Forest Plan contract
To make an amendment to an existing Forest Plan contract, use Form FP5: Amendment form (PDF 81k).
Transferring obligations
If you decide to sell any part of your property which has a Forest Plan contract on it, the sale will terminate the authority Forestry Commission Scotland gave you to carry out work under this contract. You can transfer your obligations under the contract, including grant repayment, to the new owner, provided the new owner agrees to sign.
Use Form WGS 9 - Agreement to transfer obligations (PDF 59k).
Applying for Grant aid for preparing a New Forest Plan:
Woodland Improvement Grant - long term forest planning
A scheme for Forest Plans has been introduced through the Woodland Improvement Grant for long term forest planning as part of Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities.
Information on scoping and preparing Forest Plans is provided on the Woodland Improvement Grant Technical Help page.
