The woodland creation grant is a standalone capital grant under the government’s Countryside Stewardship scheme. Applications for the grant are now being accepted – but be quick as they must be submitted by 31 March 2016.
The grant offers farmers and other land managers up to £6,800 per hectare to plant and protect young trees, plus up to £200 per ha (for 10 years) for maintenance of eligible schemes.
As well as enhancing the landscape, creating new woodland can support wildlife, reduce flood risk and improve water quality. It can also improve the environment’s resilience to climate change. Planting trees can improve redundant or unused land which otherwise wouldn’t be productive, and deliver an income through sales of timber, wood fuel and shooting opportunities.
For more information about the CAP reform and the woodland creation grants please visit the Rural Payments blog on the government’s website.