3 Complete your application form and maps

This section tells you how to fill in your CS Protection and Infrastructure grant application form

Step 1 – Start your application form

If you’ve received the pack by email – after you’ve saved it to your computer, fill in the form on your screen.

If you’ve received the pack by post:

  • use black ink and CAPITAL LETTERS. Do not use pencil or felt-tip pen
  • do not cross through whole pages or remove pages
  • do not use correction fluid. Correct mistakes and initial and date them Completely fill any checkbox containing a mistake and put an ’X’ or a tick in the correct box.

You must sign your application at Section 5 if you are submitting a paper application by post.

Front page

Section 1: Applicant Details

  1. Enter your name, or the name of the agreement holder of the Woodland Creation or Woodland Management plan that will be used in support of this application.

  2. You can find your SBI on your Woodland Management or Creation Plan Agreement.

  3. Enter the agreement title, for example the land or farm name. This must match the agreement title entered on the application form.

  4. Enter the county where the woodland in your application is located. If your woodland crosses a boundary give the county where the greater proportion is found.

  5. Tick the box if you have sent us a Land Ownership and Control (LOC) form. You need to send us a LOC if you do not have management control over all the land included in this application for the duration of the proposed agreement.

You can get a copy of the CS LOC form on GOV.UK. Or call us to ask for a paper copy if you cannot get online.

If you are applying for Beaver capital items only, go straight to Section 5.

Section 2: FY2 Woodland Infrastructure Capital item

Supporting documentation and permissions

6.Enter the lead applicant’s full name.

7.Confirm if the agreement holder will be conducting the work. We can only pay for 80% of the awarded grant amount if the work is conducted by you and/or your employee(s).

8.Tell us the name of the Forestry Commission area that the woodland in your application is located. If your woodland crosses a boundary, select the area in which the greater amount is found.

For information about Forestry Commission areas and contacts read Office access and opening hours on GOV.UK.

9.Enter a 6 figure, OS grid reference for the central point of the woodland, formatted as 2 letters followed by a space, 3 digits, a space and then the final 3 digits, for example, GR 123 456.

10.Find information about planning on GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/planning-permission-england-wales If ‘Yes’ go to 10 (a), if ‘No’ go to 10 (b)

10(a). Tick ‘Yes’ if the local planning authority have confirmed that you will need planning permission. Go to Question 11. Tick ‘No’ if you do not require planning permission from the local planning authority and continue to Question 10(b)

10(b). Will the project be undertaken via permitted development

If ‘Yes’ please provide evidence from your local authority when submitting your claim. You will also need to advise your local Forestry Commission Woodland Officer that you have contacted your local planning authorities when you apply. If planning permission is required, please provide evidence of granted planning permission from your local authority when submitting your claim. See section 4.6.1 of the Countryside Stewardship Protection and Infrastructure Manual for more information.

11.Enter the Forestry Commission reference number for your approved Woodland Management Plan or Woodland Creation Plan. This is usually a 5 digit number. You must have a Woodland Management Plan approved or approved in principle by the Forestry Commission before you submit your initial application.

You will also need Forestry Commission approval and a valid reference number for Woodland Management Plans that have not been funded through the Forestry Commission (for example. via UKWAS 33 certification).

If you do not have your reference number, contact your local Forestry Commission Woodland Officer. Read about the Requirements for a Woodland Management Plan in Annex 5 a) in the CS Higher Tier manual.

12.Confirm if you have had an Operational Site Assessment (OSA). An OSA is a check list that may be used when planning forest operations such as harvesting or civil engineering work.

Please see here for more information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/manage-and-protect-woodland-wildlife

13.Confirm if any of the land in your application contains a Special Area of Conservation and/or a Tree Preservation Order.

Section 3 Application and annex

Land Parcels you wish to apply (FY2 Woodland Infrastructure)

Land Parcel. The land parcel reference is the Ordnance Survey (OS) Map sheet reference and National Grid field number. It must contain a 10 character reference, made up of 2 letters, 4 numbers and the final 4 numbers indicating the centre of the land parcel (for example, LP12345678). We need the whole reference to identify the land parcel.

SSSI or SM Designation State yes or no whether a land parcel contains a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and/or a Scheduled Monument.

See 4.6.1 of the CS Protection and Infrastructure Manual for more information.

Type of Road on this land parcel: You can find information about types of tracks in ‘Table 1: Description of Tracks’ in the Operations Note 25 on GOV.UK.

Total Length of Road (approximate)

This is the length of your road in meters when it has been completed.

Section 4: FY2 Woodland Infrastructure Annex

Agents Fees

An agent in this context is someone who either manages the construction project or helps find the right contractor or quotes. This is not to be mistaken for an agent who fills out your RPA online claim or your application form on your behalf.

Quotations 1-3 Enter the following details, for 3 contractors’ quotes:

  • Contractor Name
  • Fee amount excluding VAT
  • VAT amount (enter ‘0’ if no VAT is charged). The total amounts will be calculated automatically in the Total actual costs box
  • If you are claiming agents’ fees, enter the Agent Name, the fee amount excluding VAT, and the VAT amount (please enter ‘0’ if no VAT is charged). The Total will be calculated automatically.

Selected Quotation – Quotation Ref

Choose the quote and enter a Quotation Reference (for example, the name of the contractor).

Justification for selection Explain why you have selected this quote. The cheapest quote is preferred.

If you are only applying for FY2 Woodland Infrastructure, go to section 7 to complete the Declarations and undertakings.

Section 5: Beaver Supporting Documents and Permissions

14.Farmers and land managers can apply for BC3 Crop Protection mesh wire fencing for permanent crops and BC4 Tree guard post and wire for a tree that has commercial, amenity or ornamental value, where they:

  • are growing on land in one of the eligible catchment areas listed in the table in the application form

  • and are within 100 metres of a water body or watercourse.

Tick the relevant box to confirm the catchment area. If your catchment area is not listed go to 14(a)

14(a) Complete text box and enter the catchment area and name of the water body or watercourse.

15.You must obtain advice from the Risk Management Authority which is the (Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Board, or lead local flood authority) and submit a copy of the advice with your completed application, see Flood and coastal erosion: risk management authorities.

Will any permissions or permits be required? If yes tick the ‘yes’ box and go to 16. If no, tick the ‘no’ box and go to question 16.

Section 6: Beaver capital items included in this application

16.If you are applying for BC3 and BC4 standard cost capital items, complete the table. The following information will help you to complete it.

The land parcel reference is the Ordnance Survey (OS) Map sheet reference and National Grid field number. It must contain a 10 character reference, made up of 2 letters, 4 numbers and the final 4 numbers indicating the centre of the land parcel (for example, LP12345678). We need the whole reference to identify the land parcel.

SSSI or SM Designation - enter ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to tell us if a land parcel contains a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and/or a Scheduled Monument.

See 4.6.1 of the CS Protection and Infrastructure Manual for more information.

Total land parcel size, enter the total size of the land parcel in hectares.

Option Group: Beavers BC3 and or BC4

Capital item Quantity Payment rate per metre/item
BC3 Number of metres of fencing £3.20/m
BC4 Number of tree guards £84 per tree guard

Section 7: Declaration and undertakings

Complete this section to confirm that you have read and understood the requirements of the Countryside Stewardship Protection and Infrastructure grant scheme and the undertakings that you are making when submitting your application.

  • Read the declaration, undertakings and warning carefully

  • Sign in the box, and enter your name in block letters, your capacity (for example, sole trader, company director, agent) and the date you’re signing the application

  • If you’re submitting your application by email you do not need to sign the application

  • Before you submit your application, make sure you must have the correct permission levels in the Rural Payments service

  • For information about permission levels in the Rural Payments service search for ‘Rural Payments: registering and updating your details’ on GOV.UK.