Correspondence

eAlert: 16 June 2022

Published 17 June 2022

Applies to England

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

1. Updates to the England Woodland Creation Offer

In our previous eAlert (27 May) we shared with you that as the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) enters its second year, we are making some changes to improve the environmental benefits it offers and streamline delivery of the scheme. We can now confirm that the changes we previously mentioned will come into effect from Wednesday 22 June 2022.

Updates to the England Woodland Creation Offer - coming from 22 June 2022

• maximising the benefits of the Nature Recovery Additional Contribution: increasing species and structural diversity in new native woodlands
• implementing a new Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot: preventing the introduction and spread of non-native pests and diseases
• increasing flexibility to apply for the Public Access Additional Contribution: allowing those outside of the targeting area to apply if conditions are met
• helping plant more woodland along water courses eligible for the Riparian Buffer Additional Contribution: additional standard costs for capital works so livestock can access drinking water where tree planting and fencing block access to water

1.1 Here’s a reminder of what is changing:

Maximising benefits for nature recovery in the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)  

From 22 June 2022 the design requirements for eligibility for the EWCO Nature Recovery Additional Contribution will change. This will apply to both the lower and higher rates for native woodland creation, not the creation of woodland for red squirrel.     The updated requirements will provide greater benefits for nature recovery by increasing species and structural diversity, they include:  

• minimum 80% native species (excluding naturalised, advancing/honorary species)
• minimum five native species, with a maximum of 50% allocated to a single species
• must include 30% shrubs and small trees (no range)  
• minimum 1,600 stems per hectare  
• minimum 10% open ground for schemes under 5 hectares and 20% for schemes over 5 hectares (with some flexibility at the FC’s discretion)  

If you are already working on a EWCO application which includes the ‘Nature Recovery Additional Contribution’ and would like to discuss your application, please send enquiries to EWCOenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk 

We will issue another e-alert on the 22 June with links to the updated manual and guidance so if you are applying for the Nature Recovery Additional Contribution you can ensure your application is in line with the new guidance.

Implementing the Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot

 From 22 June 2022, applicants for funding under the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) and the Tree Health Pilot must commit to sourcing their trees from suppliers who can demonstrate that they meet the requirements set out within the Plant Health Management Standard. Suppliers can do this either by being Plant Healthy Certified (or having formally applied to the certification scheme) or by providing evidence that the stock they are supplying has passed a Ready to Plant assessment, conducted by Fera Science Ltd. 

What does this mean for land managers planting trees through EWCO or the Tree Health Pilot?  

To be eligible for a EWCO or Tree Health Pilot restocking grant, for all applications received from 22 June 2022, grant applicants will be asked to sign a declaration at point of application stating that they will use a supplier who is either Plant Healthy certified (or who has officially applied to become certified) or who will provide a valid Ready to Plant assessment reference for the stock supplied. Suppliers will need to provide the grant recipient with evidence of this at the point at which they supply the trees. The grant applicant may be asked to provide this evidence at point of grant claim. Grant recipients do not have to stick with the supplier they named at point of application, but if the grant recipient decides to change supplier, they will need to find another who meets the required criteria. If you are a supplier of trees, read our recent blog to find out more.

Please send EWCO enquiries to EWCOenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk 

Please send Tree Health Pilot queries to thpilotenquiries@forestrycommission.gov.uk 

We will issue another e-alert on the 22 June with links to the updated manual and guidance so if you are applying for either EWCO or the Tree Health Pilot you can ensure your application is in line with the new guidance, or if you are a tree supplier for either of these grants you meet the new requirements.

1.2 We’re also excited to tell you about some further changes which will be introduced from 22 June, these are:

Supporting livestock to access drinking water along water courses - for the Riparian Buffer Additional Contribution

From the 22 June we are introducing new standard costs to EWCO to encourage the creation of more woodland along water courses.  These additional standard costs will support capital works to ensure livestock can access drinking water where planting and associated fencing prevent animals reaching their current water supply. These standard costs can only be applied for in conjunction with the Riparian Buffer Additional Contribution.

These new standard costs for EWCO are the same as those offered by Countryside Stewardship and include:

• hard base for livestock drinkers - £110 each 
• pasture pump and associated pipework - £220 each 
• ram pump and associated pipework - £1,480 each 
• livestock trough - £110 each 
• pipework associated with livestock troughs - £2.65/m 

Increasing flexibility to apply for the Public Access Additional Contribution

From 22 June we will offer greater flexibility in order to access this Additional Contribution. You will be able to apply for the Additional Contribution outside of the targeting layer where certain criteria are met. In these situations, eligibility for the Additional Contribution will be assessed based on the following criteria. Applicants will need to set out how the scheme meets these criteria in their application:

• public transport access
• existing permissive or tolerated paths
• connecting networks
• supporting engagement
• other rights of way
• continued access to heritage features

2. Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund – updated closing date, and sign up now to the WCAF webinar

A £7.8 million fund to support Local Authorities with the new staff and expertise needed to accelerate woodland and tree planting plans is now open.

The Woodland Creation Accelerator Fund, delivered by the Forestry Commission in partnership with DEFRA, will provide Local Authorities with financial support to boost capacity and resource, helping Local Authorities to employ, train up and bring on board professional expertise to drive tree planting and woodland creation commitments.

For more information, visit GOV.UK or read our latest blog to find out more about the fund and application process.

Sign up to the webinar

Please note – updated closing date for applications is Friday 8 July at 5pm.

On Tuesday 21 June, the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) and the Forestry Commission will host a webinar for Local Authorities to explain more about the fund and the application process.

3. Forestry Commission Key Performance Indicators for 2021-2022 have been published

The Forestry Commission publishes a range of key performance indicators (KPIs) to show our contribution towards forestry and woodlands in England and indicate trends in the wider forestry sector in England. The KPIs reflect our priorities to expand, protect, improve and connect England’s woodlands. Read our latest report for 2021-22 on GOV.UK.

4. New case study: woods and water

Watch our short video case study exploring the benefits of planting new riparian woodland will have on the Cockermouth area, helping to reduce flooding, improve water quality and to keep the River Berk cool to support biodiversity.

Watch the video