In a recent article by Lockhart-Garratt millions more trees will be planted across the country thanks to grants from the Woodland Carbon Fund, which has opened for applications today.
More than £19million has been made available by Government to support creation of new woodlands over 30hectares, which will help meet future carbon targets.
The fund is part of the Government’s commitment to plant 11 million trees by the end of the Parliament.
Landowners and managers can apply for grants and will be encouraged to create woodlands close to communities which provide public access.
Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said:
“Woodland creation is an important part of our ambition to leave the environment in a better state than we found it, which is why we are making more than £19million available as part of our commitment to plant 11 million trees by 2020.
This new fund will encourage large scale planting, helping us reduce our carbon footprint, while creating new forests to enjoy the generations to come.”
Woods can deliver a range of benefits, including increased biodiversity, improved water quality, prevention of soil erosion, enhanced flood protection and producing timber and wood fuel.
The scheme is open to eligible farmers, local authorities, community forests, other landowners and managers.
Maximum grants available will range between £6,800 and £8,500 per hectare depending on its locations, with the higher rate available where there is an access need and permissive access is granted.
Discretionary footpath access payments will also be available.
Full details of how to apply and the criteria necessary is available on the Forestry Commission website.
Gepp and Sons have been supporting Farmers and their businesses for 250 years and have possibly the most experienced and established Rural Services Legal Team in the region. If you have any legal questions relating to farming and businesses in the rural community please contact Edward Worthy on either 01245 493939 or worthye@gepp.co.uk
The above is not legal advice; the article was first published by Lockhart Garreatt, leading environmental planning and forestry consultancies and is intended to provide information of general interest about current farming issues.
