Trees, woodlands and forestry - Woodland Creation Planning Grant

The Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG) offers funding of up to £30,500 for the production of a UKFS-compliant woodland creation design plan. Landowners, land managers and public bodies can apply. WCPG is open for applications year-round and was re-launched in autumn 2020 to enable more people to apply and help proposals move more quickly through the Environmental Impact Assessment process and future planting and establishment grant funding. The grant operates in two stages. Stage 1 provides £1,500 for a desk-based exercise to identify constraints and opportunities affecting proposed planting. If there is potential for woodland creation, applicants receive Stage 2 payment of £150 per hectare (minus the £1,500 from Stage 1) to complete the Woodland Creation Design Plan Template. Supplementary payments for specialist survey work may be available if identified at Stage 1. For applications under 10 hectares, a minimum payment of £500 applies for Stage 2. The funding supports gathering and analyzing information to ensure proposals account for biodiversity, landscape, water, historic environment, and local stakeholders. Applicants must develop a UK Forestry Standard-compliant plan for woodland creation that demonstrates constraints and opportunities and how these are addressed. The proposed woodland must be located in England and be a minimum of 5 hectares in total size. Applications are accepted year-round with decisions typically provided within 15 working days. The scheme is currently confirmed to run until 31 March 2027, though this reflects the funding period rather than a definitive closure date.