Incentives and Benefits of Woodland Creation - hosted by the Forestry Commission and Natural England

[@simonmasters3295]

I think this is just wrong but it's also worthwhile to note and i think there's um been some 1:05:48 confusion as well because there's a lot of concern about whether we're going to be planting on productive land 1:05:56 within the scheme 1:06:02 we don't um give grants for planting on grade one or grade 2 um productive land because we recognize that food security is really important 1:06:10 though you can incorporate maybe some buffer strips um of trees or shelter 1:06:15 belts um within um that land um and particularly on grade three so we're 1:06:22 very conscious that land is really important whether it's for biodiversity or for food production

[@simonmasters3295]

@Jo.Garlick What are you saying in the Q+A at 1.05.30 ? "We do not provide grants from planting productive land i.e. Grade 1 and 2?" You then go on to presume that the proposed woodlands will be broadleaved I have not seen ANY OTHER reference to the Ag Land classification - and I have seen plenty of Biodiversity Priority Areas on Grade 2 Land on the indicative maps that are out there... Are you serious? I tried clarifying this today with ANYONE in FC and Natural England that would take my call Natural England's automated eMail reply says it "will get back to me in 20 days" So much for the "Trees Action Plan" and 30,000 ha per year for 30 years!

[@kernowforester811]

I assume you are in the business of promoting or conducting woodland creation? Grade 1 and 2 (and 3a) ALC land is not include in the 'low risk' areas for woodland creation under the EIA (forestry) assessment. Whilst generally guidance is that yes, food security is a major consideration, there is no specific instruction or rule that grade 1 or 2 cannot be afforested. However, financially it is unlikely landowners with such land will want to afforest such land, as it will be considered to devalue it. Woodland creation grants are however awarded in terms of public benefit, so an EIA opinion may come into play. As I say, decisions must be made on balance. Woodland creation is NOT built development. There is a requirement to consult for loss of 20ha or more of better quality land (BMV) with NE, see;. www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-land-assess-proposals-for-development/guide-to-assessing-development-proposals-on-agricultural-land, and under the www.gov.uk/government/publications/25-year-environment-plan. The 25 year plan makes a few statements about protecting the best agricultural land, whilst planting the least productive. Some bodies don't even want the least productive planted as it is often assumed to be habtat and spp rich, yet it is that land that farmers will usually want to afforest!, However, this restriction on not planting grades 1, 2 and 3a, has to be interpreted on balance for woodland creation. Under the Environment Act 2021, there is now a legal binding target of e.g. 16.5% woodland cover in England by 2050, so something will have to give! As long as a woodland creation project passes muster, i.e. in terms of EIA (forestry) compliance and UKFS, does not contain archaeological features of concern as informed by the county archaeologist for instance, it can be considered. Also refer to FC operations note 43 on planting priority habitat woodland on priority habitat open land. As long as there is a biodiversity nett gain, with consideration of UKFS on landscape, historic environment, habitat and spp etc, it can usually be planted. Perversely, it is often the lower grades of land, that some non statutory and NGO bodies will consider as being a 'no go zone' for woodland creation, due to habitat and spp diversity. So many landowners, are then between a rock and a hard place. They will generally want to afforest the poorer, unimproved land of lower value, and not the better quality arable and improved pastures, yet not planting higher ALC grade restricts the options for woodland creation. As I say, 'decisions must be made on balance'. My first suggestion is contact your local FC woodland officer or woodland creation officer, (or if in Wales, NI or Scotland your local woodland officer), to discuss. I am a chartered forester based in the Westcountry, having worked all over the British Isles in forestry, and woodland creation is my main area of expertise.