Landowners and rural businesses in West Cumbria are finding new ways to beat the credit crunch, thanks to the Forestry Commission’s English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS), which still has funding available for next year.
Ian Armstrong from Terrace Farm at Lorton, near Cockermouth, was recently awarded a Woodland Regeneration Grant (WRG) to ensure the woodlands on his farm are managed sustainably and help increase their biodiversity value.
The timely felling of selected trees is not only helping to generate additional income for Terrace Farm, but is also benefiting a local furniture designer and a firewood merchant, who are both making use of the valuable timber.
Local tree felling contractor, Graham Bell, was brought in to fell and extract the timber and prepare it for sale.
Woodland Regeneration Grants (WRG) contribute to the cost of restocking areas of woodland within the normal cycle of felling and woodland regeneration.
One of the greatest opportunities to change a woodland is when felled areas are regenerated, whether by planting or by natural seeding. This can improve both the woodland's delivery of public benefits and its capacity for sustainable management.
Mr Armstrong, from Terrace Farm at Lorton, says:
“Despite the economic downturn, the English Woodland Grant Scheme is enabling me to make better use of the woodlands on the farm and provide a sustainable source of income and fuel.
“The scheme also allows other local businesses to benefit from the new ways I’m managing the woodlands.”
Some of the felled timber has been sold on to local furniture designer and maker, Danny Frost, from Lowmoor Farm at Bothel, near Wigton. Mr Frost, who employs five people, relies on locally sourced timber to maintain the volume of his work. He says:
“We’re really pleased to have been involved in this project as it’s very much about what sustainability and local source and supply is all about.
“We will use the best timber from Terrace Farm in our fine furniture making and the smaller diameter trees will be used for oak beams.”
This year, over £200,000 worth of grants have been committed by the Forestry Commission in North West England to regenerate the region’s woodlands and help boost the local economy.
Peter Fox, Woodland Officer for the Forestry Commission in West Cumbria, says:
”The Terrace Farm project is a great example of how woodlands can benefit the local economy, such as craftspeople and the woodfuel industry.
“Use of woodfuel is on the increase as fossil fuel prices rise, but it is important that people remember that a felling licence is required if you are felling more than five cubic metres of timber in a calendar quarter.”
As part of the project, Mr Armstrong needed a felling licence from the Forestry Commission to carry out felling at Terrace Farm. It is an offence to fell trees without a licence if an exemption does not apply.
In addition to a felling licence, people must consider whether their proposed projects are affected by other legislation, such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the safeguarding of European Protected Species.
Mr Armstrong has also been awarded a Woodland Improvement Grant (WIG) as part of the Forestry Commission’s English Woodland Grant Scheme. The Woodland Improvement Grant (WIG) will enable him to fence off the woodland to livestock and help young trees to develop.
The WIG will enable Mr Armstrong to improve and maintain areas of ancient and native woodland on his land, as well as restore wildlife habitats to attract butterflies, birds, insects and other species.
The English Woodland Grant Scheme aims to provide landowners with funding and support for providing public benefits, including the improvement of public access and biodiversity.
The Forestry Commission operates the EWGS under the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). EWGS is part of the Defra family of environmental support.
Anyone interested in making an application should contact the Forestry Commission on 017687 76616 or email northwest.fce@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. Further information can also be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland-grants or www.forestry.gov.uk/ewgs
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NOTES TO EDITOR
- IMAGES: Higher resolution images of Terrace Farm’s woodland and Danny Frost’s work are available by calling 015394-42436.
- Forestry Commission England is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. For further information visit www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland
- Forestry Commission England runs the English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) to support and promote the national and regional delivery of forestry policy, as set out in the Government's Rural Strategy. EWGS is part of the Defra family of environmental support. Further information about these schemes can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/es/default.htm. EWGS is a part of the Rural Development Plan for England (RDPE).
- The Forestry Commission (FC) North West England (NEW) is a regional arm of the Forestry Commission. It supports the delivery of wide-spread public benefits across the region, using woodland management and creation as the basis for change. The FC NWE region has a diverse remit; as a grant giving body to the woodland sector; the region's forestry regulatory body; helping the region to address climate change by developing wood fuel supply; supporting and developing the region's forest and woodland industries; actively promoting and protecting the Northwest's natural heritage (especially ancient trees and woodlands) and enabling communities across the region to live healthier lives. For further information visit www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland-grants
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Peter Fox (Woodland Officer) on 017687 76616 or 07768-142942; Penny Oliver (Regional
Policy Development Officer) on 07786 171654; or Kevin May (Grants, Regulation and
Partnership Manager) on 017687 76616 or 07771 813139.