New woodland grant scheme

Jun 3 2009 by Jade Wright, Birkenhead News

TREE enthusiasts in Wirral are being offered even greater incentives to help make the region greener, thanks to the Forestry Commission’s latest English Woodland Grant Scheme.

The commission already has a significant presence in Wirral, including the successful land regeneration of Newlands at Bidston Moss in Birkenhead, which saw an additional 28 hectares at the community woodland, boosting it to an impressive 68 hectares.

They’re now offering total potential grant support of £3,800 per hectare to those looking to create significant areas of new woodland that can deliver economic, social and environmental value.

Kevin May, Grants, Regulation and Partnership Manager for the Forestry Commission in North West England, says: "We’re developing the English Woodland Grant Scheme to help new and existing woodlands on their land to the public to improve access and provide recreation opportunities for better health and well-being.”

They’re particularly looking for woodland bird and butterfly habitats, maintenance and enhancement of Sites of Special Scientific Interest and ancient woodland expansion.

The Forestry Commission are also looking for applications to plant new native woodland near existing ancient woodland and the stewardship of existing woodland that benefits the environment or provides new places for people to enjoy healthy exercise.

In the last ten years, grants worth more than £10 million have been given out leading to more than 5,000 hectares of new woodlands in North West England.

With woodland ranging from as little as four per cent to nine per cent, the North West is one of the least wooded areas in England and the proportion of ancient woodland is even less. The minimum area which can be supported is quarter of a hectare. The closing date is 30th September 2009.

For details call the Forestry Commission on 017687 76616 or email northwest.fce@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.