Applications are made via Expressions of Interest (EOI) through Rural Payments Wales, with funding awarded if using one of our 17 Registered Woodland Planners.
Seven different grant categories are available, each with their own payment levels and requirements, providing support for creation of a broad spectrum of woodland types to meet a range of ownership objectives.
All grant options comprise of three main elements. A generous capital grant paid on completion of the initial planting works is followed by twelve years of ‘Maintenance Payments’ and ‘Woodland Creation Premium’ payments, both of which can be claimed through the owners annual SAF return.
During this 12-year contract period any existing Basic Payment Scheme or Sustainable Farming Scheme entitlements on the land will continue to be paid. A additional grant for installing new stock fencing, gates, water troughs and other items around the planting area is also available.
The two primary categories of the WCG include the following;
Enhanced Mixed Woodland
If timber production is a primary objective the Enhanced Mixed Woodland option provides the best balance between grant income and productive potential:
- Minimum of 5 major species (at least 10% of each)
- Minimum of 25% broadleaves inclusive of woody shrub element or 30% if the planting area is below the upper limit of enclosure and larger than 30 hectares
- Maximum 10% woody shrub element
- No more than 50% of a single species
- Stocking density 2,500/ha
- Exclude livestock (including horses, ponies and camelids)
Native Woodland – Carbon
If creating an area of native broadleaf woodland is the objective, the Native Woodland – Carbon option pays the highest level of grant
- Native species mixture
- Maximum 30% woody shrubs allowed
- Stocking density 2,500/ha
- Exclude Livestock (including horses, ponies and camelids)
Woodland Creation Planning Scheme (WCPS)
Free Scoping Advice on Woodland Creation
Tilhill Forestry can organise a pre-application service through Natural Resources Wales (NRW). This provides an initial assessment of your land’s suitability for woodland creation and is a requirement before progressing to a full Woodland Creation Grant application.
Following this, you can apply to the Woodland Creation Planning Scheme (WCPS).
The WCPS:
- Provides funding between £1,000 and £5,000 to develop a Woodland Creation Plan
- Covers up to 80% of survey costs (where required following pre-application advice)
- Enables plans to be prepared by Registered Woodland Planners and verified by NRW and Welsh Government
The scheme is open year-round for Expressions of Interest via Rural Payments Wales.
Once a Woodland Creation Plan is approved, you can proceed to apply for a Woodland Creation Grant. Tilhill Forestry has 17 registered woodland planners across all regions of Wales to design, develop, and submit quality Woodland Creation Plans.
Woodland Creation Grant (WCG)
The Woodland Creation Grant supports farmers and landowners to establish new woodland, typically on areas over 2 hectares (minimum eligible area is 0.25ha).
This scheme is suitable for:
- Larger-scale woodland creation (over 2ha)
- Sites not appropriate for the Small Grants scheme
The grant provides financial support for:
- Tree planting
- Fencing
- Maintenance
- Premium payments (income foregone compensation)
A verified Woodland Creation Plan (via WCPS) is required before applying.
The application window typically opens in March and runs until November, or until funding is fully allocated.
Small Grants – Woodland Creation Scheme
This scheme supports smaller-scale planting (less than 2 hectares) and does not require a Woodland Creation Plan.
It is designed for:
- Agriculturally improved land
- Land of low environmental value
The grant provides funding for:
- Tree planting
- Fencing
- Maintenance
- Premium payments (income foregone compensation)
There are multiple application windows throughout the year via Rural Payments Wales.
For more information, get in touch using the ‘Talk to us’ section below.
Tilhill’s Wales webinar shows how farming & forestry work together.
The webinar features expert presentations and case studies on the multiple benefits of farm diversification with trees from Tilhill’s Wales & Marches Regional Manager, David Edwards who has worked in forestry since graduating from University of Aberdeen in 1984. David has a broad breadth of forestry experience, landscape contracting and utility arboriculture. He is a longstanding Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) and was elected President in 2017.
Iwan Parry, Tilhill’s Area Manager for Wales is a multi-award winning Chartered Forester and currently Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Foresters Wales Regional Committee. Iwan has the benefits of communicating in both English and Welsh.