Woodland Creation – Native Broadleaves in Northern and Western Isles

This is an old version of the page

This is an old version of the page

Date published: 1 February, 2016

Date superseded: 30 March, 2016

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

The aim of this scheme is to create native woodlands that contributes to the Orkney, Shetland or Western Isles woodland strategies.

You must meet all eligibility criteria listed in 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, up to a maximum of one hectare, for the Northern Isles
    0.25 hectares, up to a maximum of three hectares, for the Western Isles
  • your application must meet the composition criteria in the table below

Composition of native broadleaves in Northern and Western Isles
Item Minimum
(per cent)		Maximum
(per cent) 		Minimum stocking density
on the planted area
at year five (per hectare)
Native broadleaves or shrubs [1]65803,000
Mixed broadleaves or conifers where appropriate10203,000
Designed open ground [2]015n/a
[1] Up to 20 per cent of the native broadleaves can be native woody shrubs.
[2] You must refer to the designed open ground guidance on the general Woodland Creation page to see how designed open ground will apply to your application. For example additional open ground, in excess of the specified percentage, may be permissible depending on the specifics of the site, but will not be eligible for grant support.

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.

To be successful sites will need moderate soil fertility, local topographical shelter and be accessible. For the Western Isles this will mean a presumption against planting in exposed west or north coast locations. Please discuss with your local conservancy office.

For all 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.

This should include information such as quantity, the region of provenance and Master Certificate Number.

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

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 help to enhance and diversify farmed landscapes

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

  • applications that increase the size and resilience of existing woodland with appropriate new planting to form a contiguous block of woodland

Scale of delivery

Northern

1 POINT – for applications of 0.25 hectares.

3 POINTS – for applications between 0.26 hectares and 0.5 hectares.

5 POINTS – for applications above 0.5 hectares.

Western

1 POINT – for applications of 0.25 hectares.

3 POINTS – for applications between 0.26 hectares and 1 hectare.

5 POINTS – for applications above 1 hectare.

Delivering better quality

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

  • 75 per cent native broadleaves and 10 per cent mixed broadleaves or conifers where appropriate

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

  • 70 per cent native broadleaves and 15 per cent mixed broadleaves or conifers where appropriate

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

  • 70 per cent native broadleaves and 20 per cent mixed broadleaves or conifers where appropriate

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.

Example for 1 point

Core capital item:

Initial planting 1 hectare ‘Northern Isles’ = £3,600

Ancillary capital items:

Deer Fence: 350 metres x £6.80 = £2,380

Ancillary costs as a percentage of total grant sought:

£2,380 ÷ £3,600 = 66%

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)

Section Change Previous text New text
Eligibility criteria:
Species selection		Supplier's document – template
[PDF added]

Supplier's document – example
[PDF added]
For all native broadleaves planted within this option, you must provide a copy of the supplier's document when submitting an initial planting claim (see Forestry Commission Scotland Technical Support for an example document).For all 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.

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