Rural Payments and Services

This is an old version of the page

Date published: 1 February, 2016

Date superseded: 24 March, 2016

To see recent changes to this guidance, check the bottom of this page.

Table of Contents

• Aim
• Eligibility criteria
• Scoring criteria
• Recent changes
• Previous versions
• Download guidance

The aim of these scheme is to create broadleaved woodlands on land that is suitable for sawn and prime timber and that is accessible for timber transport (including links to suitable public roads).

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 two hectares in any one year
• 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 (2014–2020) Site Suitability folder on the Forestry Commission Scotland Map Viewer page.

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 and have the capacity to achieve a minimum average yield class 6 across the application area.

For all native trees planted within this option, you must provide a suppliers document when submitting an initial planting claim (see example document below). A template is also provided.

Threshold score = 10 points

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 Parks and National Scenic Areas

Or

• applications that demonstrate further diversification by integrating at least one other appropriate Woodland Creation option (see explanation below) within the scheme boundary (but not Sitka spruce)

Or

• applications that enhance farmed landscapes or help to diversify farm woodland (Refer to Forestry Commission Scotland booklet – The Creation of Small Woodlands on Farms)

5 POINTS – For applications that meet one of the three-point criteria above and the criteria below:

• applications within one of the priority areas identified in the FCS-SEPA opportunity mapping projects as likely to provide multiple benefits for natural flood management and water quality. Select the Forestry Grant Scheme (2014–2020) Target Areas folder on the Forestry Commission Scotland Map Viewer to confirm your application meets this requirement.

Scale of delivery

1 POINT – applications between 2 hectares and 4.99 hectares.

3 POINTS – applications between 5 hectares and 9.99 hectares.

5 POINTS – applications above 10 hectares.

Delivering better quality

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

• 5 per cent native broadleaves and 10 per cent secondary broadleaf species suitable for timber production

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

• 10 per cent native broadleaves and 10 per cent secondary broadleaf species suitable for timber production

Or

• 5 per cent native broadleaves and 15 per cent secondary broadleaf species suitable for timber production

5 POINTS – for applications that deliver the maximum diversity eligibility criteria for this option, which is:

• 10 per cent native broadleaves and 15 per cent secondary broadleaf species suitable for timber production

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 capital eligible 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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