Vicki Howlett is the Woodland Creation Incentives Team Manager at the Forestry Commission. In this post she explains how the WCPG application process will change later this year.
We want to make the whole woodland creation process more efficient. So, from 11 December 2024 we’re changing the Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG) process.
WCPG supports landowners, land managers and public bodies to design new woodland that meets the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS).
Instead of waiting until a woodland creation application is made, we’ll carry out Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and consultation in the WCPG process. This will make our decision-making and woodland creation more efficient.
These changes are part of a new approach to consultation on forestry applications, which we shared with you last year.
What has already changed
We already made changes to WCPG in December 2023. These included:
- Stage 1 fixed payment increased from £1,000 to £1,500
- overall funding cap increased from £30,000 to £30,500
- added standard cost options for some Supplementary Payments for survey work (as an alternative to providing 3 quotes)
- a new Supplementary Payment option to assess the impact of deer
- combined the application form and woodland creation design plan template into the ‘Woodland Creation Planning Grant Application and Plan’
What will change from 11 December 2024
We will carry out EIA and consultation in the WCPG process.
They won’t need to be repeated at later stages of your woodland creation proposal (for example if you’re applying for the England Woodland Creation Offer), unless there is a significant change to the proposal.
Including EIA and consultation at the earliest opportunity in the woodland creation process will remove duplication and speed up any future grant giving.
This means:
- consultation and EIA screening will be undertaken at the end of Stage 2 of the WCPG application, once we are content with the final proposal
- WCPG applications will be published on the consultation public register for a period of 21 days
- a county archaeologist will be engaged on WCPG final proposals
- we will not repeat consultation or EIA screening for a subsequent England Woodland Creation Offer application unless there is a significant change to the proposal
- we will not need a standalone EIA application for afforestation unless there is a significant change to the proposal
What this means for applicants
Applicants will not need to submit additional forms or take any additional steps.
We will undertake consultation and EIA as part of our process before approving Stage 2.
We want to make sure these changes benefit applicants and have minimal impact on the application process. So, we're making minor tweaks to the WCPG application and plan to make sure we collect all the information we need in a single form.
This means:
- applicants will not need to submit additional forms with their WCPG application
- we will publish a revised version of the WCPG application and plan
- applicants are still required to do stakeholder engagement on their proposals
- applicants will not need to submit an EIA application for afforestation
When will these changes be introduced?
Consultation and EIA screening will become part of the WCPG process from 11 December 2024.
We want to make sure landowners and land managers are aware of the full process before applying. That’s why these changes will apply to new applications only and will not be applied retrospectively to applications already in progress.
We hope these changes make the whole woodland creation process more efficient for applicants. If you have any questions about these changes, please get in touch with us by emailing WCPG@forestrycommission.gov.uk or contact your local Woodland Creation Officer.
Find out how to apply for the Woodland Creation Planning Grant on GOV.UK.
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