The Woodland Creation Planning Grant provides funding to landowners, land managers, and public bodies in England to develop a proposal for creating new woodland. The grant covers the cost of preparing a UK Forestry Standard compliant woodland creation design plan, helping applicants assess site constraints and opportunities before committing to planting.
About the Woodland Creation Planning Grant
Administered by the Forestry Commission, the WCPG operates in two stages, moving applicants from an initial desk-based assessment through to a fully compliant woodland creation design plan. From 11 December 2024, the process now includes consultation and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening at Stage 2, meaning all new applications will receive a regulatory decision on the woodland planting proposal at the point of final design approval.
Funding Size
- Stage 1 fixed payment: £1,500 for desk-based data gathering
- Stage 2 payment: £150 per hectare, minus the £1,500 paid at Stage 1
- Minimum Stage 2 payment: £500
- Maximum total funding per project: £30,500
- Supplementary payments available for specialist surveys including peat depth, breeding birds, vegetation and habitats, deer impact assessment, and archaeological surveys, where identified as necessary by a Forestry Commission technical expert
Who Can Apply
- Landowners in England
- Land managers with landowner consent
- Public bodies, excluding Forestry England
- Agents may apply on behalf of landowners with a completed Forestry Commission agent authority form
- Landscape-scale applicants spanning multiple land holdings, with written confirmation of landowner support
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Geographic Eligibility
- England only
- Separate guidance applies for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
- For proposals spanning a national border, Stage 2 funding is limited to the land area located within England
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Woodland creation planning and design
- Biodiversity, habitats, and environmental assessment
- Soil, peat, climate, and water impact analysis
- Historic environment and landscape consideration
- UK Forestry Standard compliant design
- Stakeholder engagement in woodland planning
Application Process
Applications are accepted year-round. Applicants should read the grant terms and conditions, then submit the completed WCPG application and plan forms by email to WCPG@forestrycommission.gov.uk. A signed agreement from the Forestry Commission must be in place before any work begins. Stage 1 work may not commence until a Stage 1 agreement offer has been accepted, and Stage 2 work may not begin until a Stage 2 offer has been received.
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Required Materials
- Completed WCPG application and plan (all three worksheets)
- Map showing the proposed woodland boundary with OS grid reference, site name, and Single Business Identifier if known
- Landscape context plan as a minimum supporting document at Stage 1
- Landowner consent or tenancy agreement if the applicant does not own the land
- Supplementary payment application form if specialist surveys are required
- Declaration form
Key Dates
- Applications accepted year-round
- Forestry Commission aims to respond within 20 working days of receipt
- Applications in sensitive locations or proposing untrialled tree species may take longer to process
- EIA screening and consultation at Stage 2 includes a 21-day public register publication period
Selection Notes
- Proposed woodland must be a minimum of 5 hectares in total
- Individual blocks within split proposals must be a minimum of 0.5 hectares and at least 20 metres wide
- Applications are ineligible if the site already has an approved England Woodland Creation Offer or an active EIA enquiry form