- EOL window opens:
- EOL window closes:
The WCG is available on Rural Payments Wales (RPW) online to farmers and landowners who have a woodland creation plan, approved by the Welsh Government, following successful application to the Woodland Creation Planning scheme. Information on how to apply to the Woodland Creation Planning scheme is available: Woodland Creation Planning Scheme: Rules Booklet.
These guidance notes explain the WCG. Please read them carefully. If you then consider you qualify for support under this scheme and you want to apply, please see ‘How to Apply’ at Section E and Woodland Creation Grant: using RPW online to apply.
To be able to apply for WCG by 22 November 2024, Welsh Government will need to have confirmation of a verified plan from NRW by 8 November 2024.
All selected planting and capital works will need to be completed and claimed by 31 March 2025.
The minimum area for an application is 0.25ha of approved planting and there is no maximum area.
Funding is available for five woodland categories, livestock and deer fencing and gates.
The level of protection required to enable trees to establish will vary depending on the site being planted. In some cases, tree guards will not be required, but where they are considered necessary, we would encourage land managers to consider the use of non-plastic alternatives, if appropriate for the site conditions.
You will need to consider tree availability when deciding whether to submit an WCG Expression of Interest (EoI).
Sustainable Farming Scheme
The funding will help farmers transition to the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) as trees planted now will count towards the SFS universal action for tree cover on farms. There will be no disadvantage in terms of SFS eligibility for undertaking the planting prior to the start of the scheme.
Section B: eligibility
To be eligible for the Woodland Creation Grant you must:
- have an active Woodland Creation Plan approved by the Welsh Government under the Woodland Creation Planning Scheme which complies with the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS)
- have registered as a customer with RPW and have been issued with a Customer Reference Number (CRN)
- be a public or private land holder, municipality, or an association, including community groups planting on publicly owned land. You must have full management control of the land
- have your landlord’s agreement for you to enter the scheme if you are applying as a tenant
- landlords will be able to apply for the scheme if they can demonstrate that they retain full management control of the land. Landlords will not be able to apply for funding on any land that is or has been subject to dispute over tenancies within the last 12 months
Eligibility:
- only areas of planting and associated fencing approved by Welsh Government under the Woodland Creation Planning Scheme are eligible
- an application must contain a minimum area of 0.25ha of approved planting
- an application must include the associated fencing approved to ensure new planting applied for is stock excluded
- no changes can have been made to the approved planting area before applying for grant that would affect the area approved
- if you are only planting a portion of your verified plan, you must ensure that the field parcels contained within your EoI still conform to the specification of that Woodland Creation Option