Correspondence

eAlert: 12 July 2023

Published 12 July 2023

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

1. Updates to the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)

Responding to customer and stakeholder feedback we have made a series of improvements to EWCO.

1.1 New and improved application form: 

We have streamlined and redesigned the form. You will now find all questions in one place, with the accompanying document for declarations and signature only.

• if you are yet to start an application, please use the new form
• you can apply using the new forms straight away but if you are currently working on an application using the old form you can submit your application on the old form until 31 August 2023

The new application form is now available on the England Woodland Creation Offer application form page.

1.2 New historic environment email templates:

We have published four email templates which can be used to request information from historic environment organisations to help you design your woodland creation proposal. These are designed to make sure historic environment organisations respond promptly with the required information and advice.

1.3 New standard cost items: 

It’s important we continually look to improve EWCO to enable land managers to support trees to thrive in their early years, this is why we have added the following items to our standard cost list:

• tree wraps
• temporary electrical fencing
• badger tubes
• deer repellent

More information can be found in Appendix 1 of the Grant Manual on the England Woodland Creation Offer application form page on GOV.UK.

1.4 Making livestock drinking water capital items more accessible:

These items are now available to any application where woodland creation along water courses will prevent livestock accessing their usual water source, not just where the Riparian Buffer Additional Contribution is being applied for.

1.5 Expanding support for red squirrel: 

Applicants can now access the Nature Recovery Additional Contribution for woodland creation for red squirrel outside of the spatial targeting area, where this is supported by Red Squirrels Northern England.

1.6 Scots pine and the Riparian Buffer Additional Contribution: 

We’ll now allow up to 15% Scots pine in the species mix for the Riparian Buffer Additional Contribution where it will preserve the presence of Scots pine in the immediate area. The Scots pine planting stock must be of native provenance.

1.7 Introducing the Supporting Tenant to Landlord Successions Pilot: 

This pilot gives landlords the option to supply their Single Business Identifier (SBI) when countersigning a tenant’s application. This will allow the landlord to automatically succeed the scheme as the Grant Recipient should the tenant leave the land.

1.8 Simplifying applications for payments towards actual costs of infrastructure: 

From now on we will only require three quotes for infrastructure that costs £5,000 or more.

1.9 Updated claim form: 

This claim form includes the new standard cost items and the species input has been aligned with the application form. You can make a claim using the new form straight away but if you are currently working on a claim using the old form you can submit your claim on the old form until 31 August 2023.

2. Managing changes to your England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) Agreement

You can now find comprehensive guidance in a new appendix (Appendix 6) to the EWCO Grant Manual, along with new forms to support:

• amendments – the guidance clarifies what amendments can and can’t be made to live agreements and a form is available for submitting amendment requests
• changes in ownership (successions) and management control – the guidance clarifies what is required when land ownership and management changes

The EWCO Grant Manual can be found on the England Woodland Creation Offer application form page.
The new forms can be found on the England Woodland Creation Offer amendment form page.

Find out more about the England Woodland Creation Offer.

2.1 Join our webinar

To find out more about these updates please join us for a webinar:

Monday 24 July 2023 3:00 - 4:00pm Book your place

Please send enquiries to EWCOenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk

3. Oak Processionary Moth identified in Derbyshire

3.1 Pest identified on a number of oak trees

It has been confirmed that a number of oak trees in the Long Eaton area of Derbyshire have been infested with the tree pest Oak Processionary Moth (OPM).

This outbreak is outside the the OPM’s established area of London and some neighbouring counties, and the trees are currently being treated and control measure put in place to prevent spread.

It is important that people are aware of the risks to human health if they come in to contact with OPM caterpillars and any sighting is reported via our TreeAlert portal or emailing opm@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

4. Read our blog: Showcasing the work of Defra’s Trees and Forestry Team, the Forestry Commission and our Delivery Partners

Bella Murfin and Naomi Matthiessen are job share Directors for the Nature for Climate Fund Tree Programme in Defra. Here they look back at the last 6 months of the delivering the Government’s commitment to treble tree planting in England by the end of 2025.

Read the blog

5. Get your applications in for the Seed Sourcing Grant

Watch our Seed Sourcing Grant, meet the experts webinar to find out more!

The final deadline for applications is 23:55 Monday 17 July 2023

Find out if you are eligible and apply now.