The Woodland Strategy Vision for Wales over the next 50 years is:
| "Wales will be known for high-quality woodlands that enhance the landscape, are appropriate to local conditions and have a diverse mixture of species and habitats that will provide real social and community benefits, support thriving woodland-based industries and contribute to a better quality environment throughout Wales" |
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Better Woodlands for Wales (pdf) is the Forestry Commission Wales (FCW) grant scheme designed to meet that vision. The scheme has been developed in consultation with woodland owners and their agents as well as our partner organisations. As a result, the new scheme places greater emphasis on good quality woodland management and offers grants specially designed for Welsh woodlands. Grant aid is now based upon an approved long term management plan. This plan must meet the minimum standards under the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme.
An additional streamlined process was introduced to the BWW grant scheme in May 2009, especially designed for farmers and owners of small woodlands who are keen to have an introduction to woodland management. The new approach is known as ‘BWW Smallwoods’. Applications are welcomed from owners whose total woodland holding doesn't exceed 20 hectares and can include both new woodland planting and managing their existing woodland. The minimum scheme area is 0.25 hectares. Woodlands previously managed under the Forestry Commission's Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS) can also enter BWW Smallwoods. All existing BWW grants are available under BWW Smallwoods.
Specially trained and FCW approved Management Planners will help you decide exactly what work needs to be carried out in your woodland, and work out what steps you need to take. If you wish to proceed, the management planner will prepare your management plan and submit your application online.
We also have a list of approved Specialist Assessors who can help with preparing the plan in particular areas such as Continuous Cover Forestry, Woodland Ecology, Deer Management, Social Forestry and Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS).
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European and Welsh Assembly Funding
Some of the grants delivered under the Better Woodlands for Wales scheme are part funded by the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, under Axis 2. These include Woodland Establishment, Plan Preparation Grant (PPG) and Woodland Improvement Grants (WIG). This is financed by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Union.
For further information on the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development please see the EU Commission's Rural Development Page
