Rural Payments and Services

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Table of Contents

• Aim
• Eligibility criteria
• Scoring criteria
• Recent changes
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The aim of these scheme is to create or expand native pinewood priority habitat of the National Vegetation Classification W18.

You must meet all eligibility criteria listed on the Woodland Creation page and:

• you must comply with the UK Forestry Standard
• the minimum planting width is 15 metres
• the minimum block size is 0.25 hectares in any one year
• the woodland must be within the pinewood zone. Select the Forestry Grant Scheme Target and Eligibility Areas folder on the Scottish Forestry Map Viewer page to see if you are eligible
• your application must meet the species composition criteria in the table below

Please note that in order to achieve 100 per cent from the table above you will not be able to select all minimum or all of the maximum values.

Species selection

As an initial first step in determining whether or not the site is climatically suitable, you should view the Forestry Grant Scheme Climatic Site Suitability folder on the Scottish Forestry Map Viewer page.

You should also demonstrate that this National Vegetation Classification woodland type is appropriate to the site, which will be determined by existing vegetation indicators (refer to Forestry Commission Bulletin 112 – Creating New Native Woodlands), as well as climatic conditions, soil moisture and soil nutrient regimes.

Any applications that are not shown as being climatically suitable will only be considered if you can clearly demonstrate that the site is suitable for the chosen species of trees, for example where there is localised shelter in an otherwise exposed location.

As per the eligibility criteria of the woodland creation general guidance the tree species must be 'suitable' or 'very suitable' to the site.

For all native Scots pine and native broadleaves planted within this option, you must provide a copy of the supplier's document when submitting an initial planting claim (see example document below). A template is also provided.

As well as entering the quantity of trees and the Master Certificate Number on the supplier's document, you should also include the region of provenance, demonstrating that the trees are suitable for the site (refer to Scottish Forestry guidance - Seed Sources for Planting of Native Trees and Shrubs).

See Forestry Commission Marketing and Supplying Forest Reproductive Materials for further information.

Threshold score

Each option within your application must meet the threshold score to be considered for approval. In achieving the threshold score, your option must score against each criterion except for additional benefit. The scores will then be used as the basis for allocating funding on a competitive basis through the Forestry Grant Scheme clearing process.

Delivery of option benefits

1 POINT – for applications that meet the eligibility criteria but do not deliver any of the benefits below.

3 POINTS – for applications that provide one or more of the following in addition to meeting the eligibility requirements:

• applications that clearly support the aims of National Park and National Scenic Areas

Or

• applications that will improve an existing wooded landscape by resolving recognised design deficiencies (usually related to the design principles of relative scale and shape)

Or

• applications which can demonstrate their design follows the guidance in Forestry Commission Scotland Bulletin 112 Creating New Native Woodlands

5 POINTS – for applications that meet one of the three point criteria above and one or more of the criteria below:

• applications that form key linkages within a habitat network between existing native pinewood areas

Or

• applications that expand designated pinewood areas

Or

• applications are within core capercaillie areas

Or

• applications within one of the Woodlands for Water priority areas, identified as likely to provide multiple benefits for natural flood management and water quality. Select the Forestry Grant Scheme Target and Eligibility Areas folder on the Scottish Forestry Map Viewer to confirm your application meets this requirement.

Scale of delivery

1 POINT – applications between 0.25 hectares and 4.99 hectares.

3 POINTS – applications between 5 hectares and 19.99 hectares.

5 POINTS – applications above 20 hectares.

Delivering better quality

1 POINT – for applications that meet the minimum stocking density eligibility criteria for this option, which is:

• 1,600 stems/hectare

3 POINTS – for applications that deliver more than the minimum stocking density eligibility criteria for this option, which is:

• to plant at least 10 per cent of this option at 3,000 stems/hectares. The area you are planting at 3,000 trees per hectare must be in a planned site location, identified on the species map, and the minimum stocking density of this area must remain at 3,000 trees per hectare until the trees are established at year 5

5 POINTS – for applications that are well in excess of the minimum stocking density eligibility criteria for this option, which is:

• to plant at least 20 per cent of this option at 3,000 stems/hectares. The area you are planting at 3,000 trees per hectare must be in a planned site location, identified on the species map, and the minimum stocking density of this area must remain at 3,000 trees per hectare until the trees are established at year 5

Delivery of good practice

1 POINT – for applications which meet the minimum relevant industry standards, but do not deliver any of the benefits detailed below.

3 POINTS – for applications that meet one of the criteria detailed below:

• applications which demonstrate that you have liaised with consultees, communities and neighbours, prior to the scheme being submitted and addressed, where possible, any points they may have raised

5 POINTS – for applications that meet one of the criteria detailed below:

• applications which clearly demonstrate that you have thoroughly assessed the site conditions and propose the most appropriate management techniques to minimise the impacts to the environment. This must be beyond what you might be compelled to do within the conditions of the contract or recognised as an industry standard practice

Or

• applications which are community owned, led, or supported and clearly demonstrate the delivery of significant benefits to the local community such as designed landscape

Value for money

Applications where the cost of ancillary eligible capital supporting works, for example fencing, gates, tree shelters, bracken control, are:

1 POINT – more than 30 per cent of the total capital cost for initial planting.

6 POINTS – less than 30 per cent of the total capital cost for initial planting.

10 POINTS – less than 10 per cent of the total capital cost for initial planting.

Supplementary point – additional benefit

1 POINT – will be awarded, as an additional point, where:

• applications are in an area identified as ‘preferred’ within the relevant Forestry and Woodland Strategy (or equivalent)

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