Woodland creation grants now available Professional services
E
astern region farmers and land- owners are being encouraged to apply for a grant to create wood-
land on their land. Administered by the Forestry Com-
mission and fi nanced through the Na- ture for Climate Fund, the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) opened last month. It replaces the Woodland Carbon Fund.
The EWCO will cover capital costs, at a 100% intervention rate (up to a per hectare cap). It also provides annual maintenance payments for 10 years to- wards forest roads and tracks, and rec- reational infrastructure such as paths and picnic benches.
“Now is an ideal time to start think- ing about the help that the EWCO can provide,” says Gwilym Jenkins, from the food and farming team at Savills in Cambridge. “Support is fl exible to allow land- owners to create a woodland that meets their own objectives and those of gov- ernment; and we’ve had several clients ask us already about how they can best utilise the grant.”
quality, reduced fl ood risk and proxim- ity to settlements.
It is hoped the EWCO will support the creation of over 10,000 hectares of new woodland over its lifetime and fol- lows the UK government’s commitment to plant 30,000 hectares of trees every year in its England Trees Action Plan for 2021-2024. “Forestry is a multi-functional asset, with multiple ecosystem services fl ow- ing from it, whether it be timber, car- bon, fl ood prevention or public access, while woodlands are increasingly be- ing understood and utilised for their holistic value.
tra incentive for the creation of new broadleaves woodlands,
“The EWCO also provides ex- especially
The new grant scheme replaces the woodland carbon fund
Additional payments recognise the public benefi ts that well-designed woodland generates in the right loca- tions. The payments cover nature re- covery, riparian buffers, access, water
those which extend existing priority woodlands, benefi t water habitats, or provide access to the public.” The England Trees Action Plan also aims to encourage the formation of Woodland Creation Partnerships. The goal is to help local farmers and landowners secure private fi nance for woodland.
What does the future hold for agricultural support?
With changes on the horizon, Gwilym Jenkins from Savills in Cambridge explores future options for agricultural support.
With the amount received through the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) gradually reducing until it ends in 2028, the landscape for agricultural support is changing.
At present, the only additional funding available is through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Unlike previous years, greening is no longer required as part of the BPS process – making stewardship look more appealing. It is also a way to secure income for the next five years and, should the upcoming Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme be a better option, agreement holders can switch without penalty.
Looking ahead, the Farming Investment Fund will open this autumn, with grants to fund equipment, technology and infrastructure aimed at boosting productivity. For those planning a larger project however, it may be worth seeing if other funding options emerge.
From 2022 capital grants will be available to support animal welfare improvements, while vet visits for health and welfare management will be supported too.
Talk to us today
Gwilym Jenkins Savills Cambridge 01223 347 208
gwilym.jenkins@
savills.com
Savills Cambridge 01223 347 208
The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme within ELM will also launch, paying farmers for achieving standards for things such as soils and low input grassland management. Monetary values of between £30 and £59 per hectare are expected for achieving the arable soil standard.
It’s also thought the Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants scheme will reopen in 2022, supporting boundary repairs, fencing and concreting yards.
Additionally, the lump sum exit scheme is now available to claimants of the BPS. The payment replaces future BPS claims and the claimant is required to exit the industry. It is hoped this will encourage new entrants and succession planning.
One thing is for sure – with BPS support declining farmers and landowners will need to be proactive in finding new sources of income going forward.
For advice on the rural sector in East Anglia contact Gwilym Jenkins at Savills Cambridge at
gwilym.jenkins@
Savills.com or 01223 347 208.
66 ANGLIA FARMER • JULY 2021
Photo credit: Chris Rose
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