Woodlands can provide a wealth of environmental, economic and social benefits, including:
- Timber production
- Wood fuel production
- Carbon capture and the sale of carbon credits
- Recreational business opportunities
- Flood prevention
- Soil protection
- Improving air quality
- Shelter and screening
- Supporting wildlife habitats and pollinators
- Protecting biodiversity
Current Funding Opportunities
There are a number of funding options available to help landowners’ plant new woodland on their land.
From 3 hectares to large scale projects of over 10 hectares, support is available to help plant more trees and increase woodland cover in England, whilst also helping landowners to diversify their businesses.
Receive up to £6,800 per hectare to create new woodland or up to £8,500 per hectare if you provide permissive access across the woodland (dependent on its location).
The minimum threshold for applications to the Woodland Carbon Fund has been reduced for 2018 applicants, from 30 hectares to 10 hectares, so more landowners can take advantage of the scheme.
This scheme aims to support the planting of multipurpose woodlands of at least 10 hectares in size. It provides opportunities to work in partnership at a landscape scale, to improve public access to woodland and achieve wider environmental outcomes by:
- Contributing to future carbon budgets;
- Maximising natural capital benefits (by providing community access);
Acting as a pathfinder for large scale woodland creation; and - Encouraging partnership approached and landscape-scale projects.
The Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) can also provide a source of additional funding and applicants are encouraged to register their scheme with the WCC if they are successful in attracting a Woodland Carbon Fund grant.
Woodland Creation Planning Grant
A Woodland Creation Planning Grant contributes towards the costs of gathering and analysing the information needed to ensure that proposals for productive multi-purpose woodland take account of any impacts on: biodiversity, landscape, water, the historic environment and local stakeholders.
The grant is available for projects of more than 10 hectares and ultimately requires the production of a UK Forestry Standard compliant plan. Funding of up to £150 per hectare is available with a cap of £30,000 per project.
Planning well designed woodland is vital to ensure we are creating new woodland that meets the current and the future needs of the environment and the people who live and work in the area.
Countryside Stewardship - Woodland Creation
Countryside Stewardship is a Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) grant scheme. Woodlands are a priority under the scheme and funding is available to help create new woodland as part of this.
Grants of up to £6,800 per hectare are available to assist with the planting of new woodland that helps to meet environmental objectives.
Free advice and support from the Forestry Commission
More information and support is available from Forestry Commission teams, who can provide individual, tailored expert advice. Please contact your local woodland officer.