Reduction in application Threshold for Woodland Carbon Fund and Woodland Creation Planning Grant

We are today able to offer a reduced threshold of a minimum of 10ha for applications to the Woodland Carbon Fund and the Woodland Creation Planning Grant (via the Forestry Innovation Fund) funds. The lower threshold is effective immediately and will apply to all applications received by 31 July 2018. The threshold which was previously 30ha is being reduced to give a wider range of landowners access to the financial assistance available to help plan and plant new, productive woodland.
 
We hope that this will encourage more landowners to grasp the opportunity to plant new high quality productive woodlands and realise all the many benefits these can bring, kick starting an increase in woodland planting rates across England.

Our website has been updated to reflect these changes, if you are interested in making an application please read the guidance and contact us using the email addresses below if you require further information or assistance on either grant type:
For the Forestry Innovation Find Woodland Creation Planning Grant wcpg@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
and for the Woodland Carbon Fund wcf@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

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RDPE Countryside Productivity Scheme

£200 million funding announced

On Saturday, the Rural Affairs Minister Lord Gardiner announced a £200 million funding boost for rural England to support growth of rural businesses and broadband projects.  We are really pleased to let you know that the forestry sector will be able to apply for grants under the Countryside Productivity Scheme which aims to improve productivity of farm and forestry businesses by making targeted investments to encourage best practice and innovation. 
 
Countryside Productivity Scheme will offer large grants over £35,000 for investments in a clear and specific list of capital items to improve forestry productivity through felling, extraction and adding value by primary processing of timber products. 
 
The grant is available to private forest holders managing at least 10 ha of forest and micro, small, or medium-sized forestry contractor businesses, and they can apply for grants (a minimum of £35,000) which could cover up to 40% of the eligible costs of a project.
 
The grant is available from now until 31 March 2018, visit GOV.UK to find out more. Details and guidance will be available by the end of today.  
 
LEADER grants also support forestry productivity and can support smaller investments, with grants usually starting at £2500. They are often more flexible based on local need so may be able to support larger projects which fall outside the scope of CPS. You can find out more about LEADER and see the contacts for your local area on GOV.UK.