Woodland Grant Scheme
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What is the Woodland Grant Scheme?
The Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS) and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS) are closed to new applications. However, existing contracts will continue until their expiry date. The new English Wooldland Grant Scheme (EWGS) opened in 2005 and has replaced both of these earlier schemes.
The creation of new woodlands and forests
- provides economic returns, e.g. timber
- enhances the environment, e.g. the landscape
- provides new areas for recreation.
The Woodland Grant Scheme also aimed to
- encourage good management of forests and woodlands, including their well timed regeneration, particularly looking after ancient and semi-natural woodlands;
- provide jobs and improve the economy of rural areas and other areas with few other sources of economic activity; and
- to provide a use for land instead of agriculture
The grants are paid as part of a contract in which land managers agree to look after the woodlands and do the approved work to reasonable satisfaction. Further details on the WGS are available at the Forestry Commission Website.
What are the benefits?
The England Rural Development Programme provides incentives for people to create and manage woodlands on sites all over Great Britain. The Forestry Commission pays grants for establishing and looking after woodlands and forests because of the benefits which well managed woodlands give to society.
British woodlands and forests make a large contribution to meeting our growing demand for wood. Woodlands give people a place to go and enjoy the countryside, especially if they are close to towns and cities. They are a major part of the landscape of Great Britain and provide essential habitats for much of our wildlife. They play an important part in the economy providing jobs and economic benefit for rural communities. New forests and woodlands offer an attractive long term use of land which can play an important part in diversifying and agricultural business or stand on their own as an environmentally friendly investment.
Between 2000 and 2005 the Woodland Grant Scheme supported the creation of 28,262ha of new woodland in England (approximately 28 million new trees planted).
In addition 257,921ha of existing woodland were brought into approved management schemes.
Page last modified:
19 June, 2006
Page published: 10 December, 2002