Guidance

Woodland creation maintenance payment (WD1): Woodland capital grants 2015

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the woodland creation maintenance payment option.

From:
Forestry Commission, Rural Payments Agency, and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
17 February 2015

This guidance was withdrawn on

This page has been withdrawn because it’s out of date. For current information read: WD1: Woodland creation - maintenance payments

Applies to England

Foresters and other land managers can apply for woodland capital grants.

Read the accompanying guidance to find out more about Countryside Stewardship woodland capital grants 2015.

How much will be paid

£200 per hectare (ha) per annum for a 10 year period.

Where this option is available

This option can be used on newly created woodland.

The capital item TE4 - Tree planting must be used with this option.

When this option can’t be used

This option can’t be used on land owned by public authorities. This includes land owned by the state, the Crown, county councils, district councils, and local authorities.

How this option will benefit the environment

This option will help create woodland that:

  • supports wildlife, by linking habitats together or providing a protective buffer between them
  • reduces the risk of floods, improves water quality and prevents soil erosion
  • is resilient and can adapt to climate change
  • enhances the landscape

Requirements

The requirements for this option must be discussed and agreed with a Forestry Commission adviser. Successful applicants will need to carry out maintenance so that the woodland is fully established by year 10.

On the land

Successful applicants will need to:

  • keep all newly planted trees free from competing vegetation for 10 years by using approved herbicides, mulch, or a clearing saw, hook or scythe

  • replace any trees that die

  • maintain fences, tree shelters or spiral guards

  • maintain areas of open space

  • remove individual tree protection in year 10

Keeping records

Successful applicants will need to keep:

  • geo-tagged photographs showing the level of maintenance in years 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 (submitted with the annual claim)

  • a self-certification checklist after planting in years 4, 7, and 10, confirming that all the agreed operations have been carried out (submitted with the annual claim)

  • any receipted invoices and bank statements related to the work (these must be shown on request)

What must not be done

Don’t use any herbicides if trees are being planted on land next to a watercourse.

The following items can be used on the same area as this item:

Speak to a Forestry Commission adviser about whether other options may be used on the same area.

Published 17 February 2015
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