Forest Expansion Scheme | nibusinessinfo.co.uk

Eligibility criteria

Grants are available for landowners, including

• farmers
• landowners and estate owners
• charitable organisations
• local councils (Establishment Grant only)

Government bodies and agencies are not eligible to apply for Forestry Grant Schemes. The holder (manager) of land owned by government departments and agencies can apply for an Establishment Grant provided the manager is constituted as a private body, charitable organisation or council.

Additional information

The main aim of the Forest Expansion Scheme is to encourage applicants to establish new woodland at a landscape scale, with associated environmental, economic and social benefits. Support is provided for afforestation of both agricultural and non-agricultural land.

Support will be provided for

• costs of establishment including the costs of plants and planting and other costs such as ground preparation, protection and maintenance (between years one to five) of the newly planted woodland
• payments for income foregone to cover loss of income compared to agricultural production for a maximum period of ten years

The application for grant aid must describe the long-term objectives for the woodland and the work proposed in the next five years to meet these objectives. Wherever possible, there should be a single application for each property or group of woodlands managed as a unit.

The Forest Expansion Scheme is not available for

• panting in existing woodlands (including grazed woodland)
• christmas tree growing
• short rotation coppice
• fast-growing trees2 or trees planted for energy production (such as short-rotation forestry)