Cymraeg
New Glastir Woodland Creation Grant scheme offers grants of up to £9,000 per hectare for new tree planting in Wales!
In October 2010 the Welsh Government launched a new grant scheme to encourage and support woodland creation in Wales, Glastir Woodland Creation. The grants are available now and is open to all landowners, whether farmers or not, and whether or not they are within the Glastir agri-environmental scheme.
Launched by the Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones, the scheme is aimed at delivering the Welsh Assembly’s target of creating 100,000 ha of new native and mixed woodland over the next 20 years, to help soak up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and also to make the Welsh landscape more resilient to the effects of climate change. An ambitious target like this requires realistic incentives and these have now been made available.
The scheme includes a planting grant over the first three years, an income foregone payment over 15 years and also a fencing payment of £3.15 per metre for new fencing. The rates vary depending on the type of trees planted and are higher for registered farmers. Full details are available on the Forestry Commission Wales (FCW) website. The Woodland Trust can help you apply for this grant. Just ring us on 0845 293 5689.
What does this mean for landowners?
If you are a landowner in Wales and you would like to plant trees, the Welsh Assembly Government will effectively meet the costs of doing so.
How does the scheme work?
Applications must be made via a project officer approved by the Forestry Commission Wales (FCW). These project officer are funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the service is free to landowners. To start the process, either ring Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust) on 0845 293 5689 or contact the FCW direct via its website.
Does it matter where the land is?
There are some areas where these grants are not available, for example peatland where tree planting could release more carbon from the soil than the trees would absorb in growing. There is a presumption against planting in these areas. There are other areas, for example some land in National Parks, where some consultation is necessary prior to planting. Across wide areas of Wales, however, Glastir Woodland Creation Grants can be secured very easily and quickly.
A map of these areas is available on the FCW website and they areas are marked red, amber and green respectively. Please note, however, that even is the land you wish to plant is marked in red, some planting may still be possible as your project officer can apply to have land removed from the red area if the restriction against tree planting is seen to be unnecessary.
Single Farm Payment
Recent changes in EU rules mean that landowners will remain eligible for SPS on land that has been taken out of production through agri-environmental schemes providing that you claimed SPS in 2008.
What if I don’t want to claim a government grant?
There are many landowners who, for whatever reason, do not wish to claim a government grant for tree planting. Coed Cadw can provide help through its MOREwoods scheme. This provides free help and support for landowners wishing to plant trees, potentially including a visit from our experienced advisors to check land suitability, help with design of the wood and species to be planted plus free trees and guards. We’ll even help with the paperwork. If you are a landowner and would like help with MOREwoods, please ring us on 0845 293 5689 or email morewoods@woodlandtrust.org.uk