Support is available for operations that will improve existing woodlands especially for habitats and species that are a priority in a UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Support is also available for environmental improvements through restructuring.
Woodland Improvement Grants are available for:
- long term forest planning
- reducing deer impact
- restructuring regeneration
- improving woodland habitats and species
- improving non-woodland habitats.
You must check the Scottish Government website for the most up to date guidance about Woodland Improvement Grant and the grant rates:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Rural/SRDP/RuralPriorities/Options/WoodlandImprovementGran
How to apply for a Rural Development Contract:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Rural/SRDP/RuralPriorities/HowItWorks/HowtoApply
Long Term Forest Planning
Information on scoping and how to prepare your forest plan:
Production Forecast
For all Forest Plans of 100 hectares and above, basic crop data are required that will contribute to the private sector timber production forecast. Data should be provided in the customised Production Forecast Spreadsheet:
- Production Forecast Spreadsheet (MS Excel, 50k)
- Production Forecast Spreadsheet user guide (PDF 131k)
Forest Plan examples
We are preparing several Forest Plan examples that show the standard expected in a completed Forest Plan:
Reducing deer impact
This guidance will help to clarify eligibility for this RDC option and explains the specific requirements of the associated Deer Management Plan (DMP).
Restructuring regeneration
The guidance explains how new proposals, and legacy scheme payments, for restructuring felling and restructuring regeneration are handled by the 2007- 2013 SRDP.
- Download handling restructuring claims and proposals (PDF 33k)
- This guidance has been updated to version 1.5. The final date for applications being submitted for restructuring felling where the felling has already been carried out is 30th June 2010.
Support for key species conservation
The following notes describe how to use the range of SRDP options available to support the conservation of key species, focussing on woodlands and adjacent areas. The species concerned are juniper, pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies, chequered skipper butterflies and red squirrels.
- Download support for juniper conservation (PDF 181k)
- Download pearl-bordered fritillary technical guidance (PDF 58k)
- Download chequered skipper technical guidance (PDF 53k)
- Download red squirrel technical guidance (PDF 48k).
Creating and restoring open habitats from woodland
This guidance is to inform those considering Rural Priorities (RP) applications for the permanent removal of areas of woodland to improve biodiversity by creating or restoring open ground habitats, notably to: improve the ecological condition of designated features that require open ground, or benefit UK priority habitats or species which require open ground.
Contact
If you have a query about forestry grants, please contact your local FCS Conservancy Office.
