FY2: Woodland infrastructure Grant

About this grant

This is a capital grant item under Natural England's Protection and Infrastructure grants programme that funds woodland infrastructure to improve access and management. The grant supports the construction of forest roads, tracks, and related infrastructure that allow timber and other forest products to be moved more easily from woodlands, thereby improving woodland management. Eligible works include building mechanised timber extraction tracks, haulage roads and turning points, road entrances and laybys, timber transfer points and stacking areas, drainage infrastructure, and woodland security features such as gates. Applicants must have an approved woodland management plan identifying poor vehicle access as a barrier to timber movement, or have Forestry Commission adviser agreement that improved access is necessary for woodland maintenance or removal of diseased trees. The grant can be used as part of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier applications, Protection and Infrastructure grants, or Woodland Tree Health grants.

Eligibility

Applicants must own or manage woodland in England and have either an approved Forestry Commission woodland management plan identifying poor vehicle access preventing timber movement, or written agreement from their Forestry Commission adviser that improved access is necessary for woodland maintenance or removal of diseased trees. The Forestry Commission assesses applications before an agreement is offered. Applicants must prepare a detailed site-specific specification setting out work needed, expected timber production, and soil conditions. Applications require three written quotations for the proposed works. Applicants must check and obtain any required consents including planning permission from local authorities, highways authority notification for public highway access, and consent from local authorities or internal drainage boards where roads cross watercourses or use culverts. The work must comply with CDM regulations for forest roads and tracks.

How it's scored

The Forestry Commission assesses applications for woodland infrastructure before an agreement is offered. Assessment criteria include whether the applicant has an approved woodland management plan identifying access as a constraint, Forestry Commission adviser agreement on necessity of improved access, compliance with national legislation and CDM regulations, and appropriateness of the detailed specification and quotations provided. The Forestry Commission also determines whether the proposal requires Environmental Impact Assessment under the Forestry Regulations based on whether it is likely to have significant environmental effects.

Key requirements

• ✓Eligibility and requirements must be reviewed on the full Natural England listing
• ✓Project must relate to woodland infrastructure
• ✓Applicant must meet Natural England's organisational and project criteria

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for FY2: Woodland infrastructure?

Eligibility covers organisations in GB; nonprofit, charity, local-authority, community-group, social-enterprise. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Forestry funding supports afforestation, reforestation, sustainable forest management and avoided deforestation. Money flows from climate finance, nature programmes, results-based payments and corporate buyers of forest carbon. Calls typically require land tenure clarity, community engagement and a credible plan to monitor tree survival over time.