New round of grants on offer so woodland can be created

The Woodland Creation Grant is a standalone capital grant operating under the umbrella of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

A new round of the scheme has just been announced, with the application window opening on January 3 and running until March 1.

Farmers and other land managers can apply for capital grants to pay for the trees themselves and associated protection products such as guards and fencing. There is also a supporting maintenance grant of £200/ha available for 10 years.

The capital grant is paid per item – for example, £1.28/tree planted, £1.60/tree shelter, and £4/metre of fencing – but there is a cap of £6,800/ha for capital items covering both planting and protection.

In order to receive support, new woodland creation must contribute to meeting biodiversity objectives or flood risk reduction and/or diffuse water pollution.

There is a minimum area per application of 3ha, with a minimum block size of 0.5ha and a minimum width of 20 metres.

The new woodland should be made up of native species, but it can include a proportion of non-native or advancing/honorary species, such as sycamore.

While the application window does not open until the new year, the forms are available now so people can make a start on them.

It's a good idea to get on with it now and take advantage of what for some is a quieter time of year. It will also give woodland officers more time to make a site visit and make any necessary amendments to an application.

Land already under an existing stewardship scheme is most likely ineligible for the scheme. However, landowners can continue to claim their Basic Payment Scheme payments throughout the woodland creation capital agreement and until the end of any subsequent 10-year woodland maintenance agreement.

* Matthew Martin is a farm business consultant in Strutt & Parker's Shrewsbury office