The new Woodland Creation Planning Scheme (WCPS) has been opened by Welsh Government and will remain open throughout the year (subject to budget), with applications selected every six weeks. The scheme has been designed on the pilot which was run in 2021.
The WCPS offers grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 to develop plans for new woodland creation. There is currently an available budget of £500,000 for claims made by 31 March 2023.
After a plan is successfully verified by NRW, it will be eligible for Welsh Government funding for tree planting. Funding for woodland creation will be available from August, with windows opening every three months from then onwards, subject to budget availability.
In order to claim, you will need to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI), these must be for a woodland plan of at least two hectares. Welsh Government are considering a simplified process for areas of woodland which are less than two hectares and there will be opportunities to apply for funding for these projects later in 2022.
Please note that land managers are not able to submit two EOIs for the same land holding per calendar year.
More information about the scheme can be accessed on the Welsh Government Website – Woodland Creation Planning Scheme | Sub-topic | GOV.WALES or please contact Katie Davies on 01267 887190 katie.davies@ruraladvisor.co.uk