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The Strategic Timber Transport Fund (STTF)

Timber Lorry loading swalogs at roadside. Sunart. Lochaber FD

The Fund

The Strategic Timber Transport Fund (STTF) aims to facilitate the sustainable transport of timber in rural areas for the benefit of local communities and the environment.

Projects should minimise the impact of timber transportation on Scotland's fragile rural and public roads, for example, through the development of in-forest roads in appropriate situations, or through work that helps link forests to sea and rail loading facilities.  Applicants seeking support for relevant projects can apply through the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme. 

Application deadlines 

New funding of up to £2 million per year has been made available to the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme for the years April 2012 - March 2015.

The timetable for applications is as follows:

  • Applications for support to Project Officer posts for the period 2012-2015 should be submitted by 24th December 2011 and allocations will be agreed in January 2012.
  • Any other project applications should be submitted by 13th April 2012.

Applications will be evaluated soon thereafter and funding allocated in June 2012.  More complex infrastructure projects may take longer to evaluate and process.

It is possible that some funding will be retained or made available from underspent or undelivered projects allowing a subsequent round at a later date.

User guidance & application form

Guidance

User guidance and funding rules are in the User Guidance document (PDF 268k).

The best practice application form (PDF 518k) outlines the information that should be provided in the different sections of the application form.

The application flow chart (PDF 171k) shows the stages of the process from project inception to funding being approved.

Given the limited time available to prepare full applications, prospective applicants are advised to liaise directly with Regional Timber Transport Group Project Officers for prompt approval by the Regional Timber Transport Groups. Contact details for project officers are on the Timber Transport Forum website.

Eligibility

If you are uncertain whether your proposal is eligible for funding, complete the Possible Proposal form (MS Word 84k)and send it to STTS@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. 

The form will aid discussion between you and the FC Scotland Timber Transport Officer about a potential bid. If appropriate, you will then need to complete a full application.

Application form

The application form should be completed electronically and submitted to the email address below.  
 
All supporting documentation relevant to your application, including the letter of support from the Regional Timber Transport Group and all letters of co-finance that support your application should be submitted along with the application. If required the supporting documentation can be posted to the address below.

Send your completed application to STTS@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.  Supporting documentation can be posted to: Forestry Commission Scotland, Silvan House, 231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 7AT.

If you have any queries, please contact Roland Stiven, Timber Transport Forum Project Officer. Email: Roland.Stiven@confor.org.uk or call 0131 240 1418.

Awards allocated

STTF end of period reports

The following reports outlines outputs from the Strategic Timber Transport Scheme from its inception in 2005 to date.