N I C H O L S O N S

Plants Forestry Landscapes

Countryside Stewardship Review and Update

Objectives

Water Quality

Flood Management

Biodiversity

The Woodland GrantsHigher Tier Mid Tier Other Capital

Woodland Improvement Multi-Annual

None Woodland Management Plans

Woodland Improvement (Capital)

Tree Health (Improvement & Restoration)

Woodland Improvement (infrastructure)

Woodland Creation Establishment*

Woodland Creation

The Woodland Grants - AnalysisHigher Tier Mid Tier Other Capital

Woodland Improvement Multi-Annual

None Woodland Management Plans

Woodland Improvement (Capital)

Tree Health (Improvement & Restoration)

Woodland Improvement (infrastructure)

Woodland Creation Establishment*

Woodland Creation

Competitive

Scored Applications

Targeted

Set Application Windows

Require an FC Approved Management Plan

Non-Competitive

Open Application Windows

No Requirement for an FC Approved Management Plan

Woodland Management Plan

Threshold Payment

First 100 hectares (ha) £20 per ha (minimum payment £1000)

Over 100ha £10 per ha

It can’t be used on woodland: - that is less than 3ha in size - already has a FC approved management plan which requires only minor changes New woodland exceeding 20% of the total management plan area will be excluded from payment.

Critical for all Higher Tier Applications

Non Competitive Open Application Window

Woodland Tree Health - RestorationNon Competitive Open Application Window

Areas of woodland affected by Chalara fraxinea or Phytophthora ramorum.

Must have a letter from FC or AHPA to confirm cases of Chalara .

Must have a SPHN confirming larch infected with Phytophthora ramorum infected larch

Minimum restock area of 0.5 hectares

Minimum density of 400 stems/ha

Payment based on a per tree and protection requirement basis.

Restock tree species Ancient woodland site OtherNative £3,500 £2,750Non-native £1,750 £2,250

Woodland Tree Health - ImprovementNon Competitive Open Application Window

£2800 - £4400/ha for Rhododendron control

£260 - £1680/ha for Larch tree removal

Supports removal of Rhododendron and/or (Uneconomic)Young Larch trees in response to a SPHN

Rhododendron Control requires a SPHN on ability to prove you are within 3km of a SPHN

Woodland Improvement – Multi Annual

£100/ha per annum

PAWS RestorationPriority Habitats (Native or Ancient Woodland Types)Priority Species (inc. Woodland Birds)

Thinning/Coppicing/Scrub Management are the essentials.

UKFS compliance necessary requiring additional work - Deer/Squirrel Control - Open Ground Management - Veteran Trees

High Demand on Monitoring Recording and Reporting

Competitive July – End SeptOr EOI by 30th June for Mixed Apps.

Woodland Improvement – Capital

£ Set CS RatesCan be separate or joint with Multi-Annual Application

Targeted in Broadleaved/Native Woodland

Stand alone items – e.g. Deer Fencing/Scrub ControlSupporting items – e.g. High Seats/Badger gatesItems ONLY Linked to Joint Multi Annual Applications – Pond Management/Bracken Control

Applications need to identify area of influence the work will have.

Successful applicants will need to be careful they meet item specifications – e.g Deer fencing.

Competitive July – End SeptOr EOI by 30th June for Mixed Apps.

Woodland Improvement – Infrastructure

40% Contribution based off FC Standard Roading Rates

Targeted in Broadleaved/Native Woodland

Prior to applying• Prepare detailed specification.• Notify the LPA• Obtain consent from LPA or IDB for water crossings/culverts• Secure three quotes (Guidance states this is only required for successful applicants but this is

not the case)• Ensure Surveyors and Agents Fees are recorded for adding to the application

Applications need to identify area of influence the work will have.

Successful applicants will need to ensure they follow specifications carefully.

Competitive July – End SeptOr EOI by 30th June for Mixed Apps.

Woodland Creation

£1.28 per tree£1.60 per tree guard£ Standard costs for fencing/gates etc.£200/ha per annum – Maintenance Payment

Payment based on a per tree and protection requirement basis.

Based on Scored applicationsTargets woodland buffering/connectivity with ancient/native woodland typesTargets EA identified locations for water quality/flood prevention agenda

Competitive February to end of April

Woodland CreationCompetitive February to end of April

Minimum agreement size 3ha 1ha

Minimum block size 0.5ha 0.1ha

Minimum width 20m 10m

Minimum stocking density 400 stems per ha (sph) 1,600sph

Maximum internal open space 20% 20%

Woodland CreationItem

Before photos of the planting site - Geotagged After photos of the planting site - Geotagged Year 1 – Submit Annual ClaimYear 2 - Maintenance Image - Geotagged & Submitted with Claim

Year 3 – Submit Annual ClaimYear 4 - Maintenance Image– Geotagged & Submitted with Claim

Year 5 – Submit Annual ClaimYear 6 - Maintenance Image– Geotagged & Submitted with Claim

Year 7 – Submit Annual ClaimYear 8 - Maintenance Image - Geotagged & Submitted with Claim

Year 9 – Submit Annual ClaimYear 10 - Maintenance Image - Geotagged & Submitted with Claim

Remove individual tree protection in year 10

Woodland Creation Maintenance Payment – Checklist

Some Final PointsWeb-based information – navigating can be confusing

In applying you need to secure more RPA Customer information than before.

Critical to read all relevant sections of manuals and options/items in applying.

All the data for a grant is not all in the one location.

Take note of the obligations and timescales before signing.

Be aware of the reporting obligations – particularly for Woodland Creation and Woodland Improvement Multi Annual Agreements.