Correspondence

eAlert: 8 July 2021 - England Woodland Creation Offer series

Published 15 July 2021

Applies to England

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

1. 8 July 2021

The fourth in our series focusing on Additional Contributions for the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO).

2. Why should you plant trees using the England Woodland Creation Offer?

2.1 In addition to covering the standard capital costs of tree planting (up to a cap of £8,500 per hectare), and annual maintenance payments of £200 per hectare for 10 years, follow our series in upcoming eAlerts to find out more about the Additional Contributions that you could apply for. These Additional Contributions are optional and can be combined.

This week we focus on up to £2,200 per hectare for providing access to woodlands for the public to enjoy.

3. Choose to open your woodland for the public to enjoy by providing access - up to £2,200 per hectare

3.1 Available where woodland creation will provide permissive access for recreation on land that does not currently have access to it, for at least 30 years.

Woodland must meet the requirements of the ‘Close to settlements’ Additional contribution and permissive access for recreation on foot must be provided for at least 30 years.

Recipients of this Additional Contribution will need to advertise that there is access to the site through, for example, waymarkers or signage at entry points, and online maps. The promotion can be physical or digital but must be agreed with us and installed prior to claiming the Grant.

Next week we’ll be sharing information on the Additional Contribution for woodlands that will help reduce the risk of flooding. Find out more in the next edition.

Find out more about the England Woodland Creation Offer.

4. New Peatland Grant Scheme

4.1 Natural England launch scheme to support the restoration of our largest carbon stores on land!

Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund supports both peatland restoration and woodland creation. Through the Peatland Grant Scheme, the Government intends to invest over £50 million in peat restoration and has pledged to restore approximately 35,000 ha of peatland in England by 2025.

An expected £500 million from the Nature for Climate Fund will be dedicated to trees, with the new England Woodland Creation Offer having £15.9 million available in its first year, providing greater financial incentives for landowners and farmers to plant and manage trees.

5. Sustainable Farming Incentive

5.1 Pilot now open for applications.

The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) pilot is now open for applications to those who have already submitted an expression of interest. All the landowners and farmers who expressed an interest in joining the pilot have been invited to make an application. If you’ve been invited, read the guidance about making an application. It covers things like:

• updating information about you, your business and your land
• planning how to apply the standards
• sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) and historic features

If you are piloting the SFI, don’t forget you can apply for the Farm Woodland Standard which pays £49 per hectare of woodland. You’ll be able to apply for grants for capital items if you do the optional action of expanding your woodland. There is also a flat rate of £5,000 per year for taking part in learning activities.

Read more about the Farm Woodland Standard, and apply via the Rural Payments Service. You have until 1 September 2021 to submit your application.

6. Have you submitted your application for the Woodland Carbon Guarantee?

6.1 Applications for the fourth auction are closing tomorrow (Friday 9 July).

If you are already registered for the Woodland Carbon Code – make sure you submit your application for the fourth auction now! Applications close at 23:59 on 9 July 2021. The auction will take place between the 26 July and 1 August 2021.