Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG)
Forestry Commission · England
The Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG) provides funding to support the design of UK Forestry Standard-compliant woodland creation plans. It helps applicants assess feasibility, identify constraints, and develop detailed planting proposals before applying for full woodland creation funding.
Summary
Deadline
31 Mar 2027
Complexity
Medium
Time to apply
20-60 hours
Updated
9 Jun 2026
The Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG) provides funding to support the design of UK Forestry Standard-compliant woodland creation plans. It helps applicants assess feasibility, identify constraints, and develop detailed planting proposals before applying for full woodland creation funding.
Eligibility
Applicant types
Not specified
Business size
SME
Industries
Forestry, land management, environmental conservation
Match funding
Needs verification
Requirements
Landowners, land managers, and public bodies (excluding Forestry England) Landowners or land managers in England planning new woodland creation meeting WCPG minimum area (per Forestry Commission guidance). Woodland creation planning, biodiversity, landscape, water environment, historic environment, stakeholder engagement
Eligible applicants
Landowners, land managers, and public bodies (excluding Forestry England)
Funding and scope
Benefit amount
Up to £30,500 per project
Total fund available
Up to £30,500 per project
Funding intensity
Not specified
Payment type
Reimbursement
Eligible scope
Woodland creation planning, biodiversity, landscape, water environment, historic environment, stakeholder engagement
Eligible expenses
- Site analysis, mapping, surveys, preparation of woodland creation design plan, specialist survey work (where required)
- Not specified
Ineligible costs
- Not explicitly stated
- funding excludes work already required under existing obligations
Application and risks
Application platform
Application form submitted via email to Forestry Commission
Competitiveness
Competitive Selection
Decision timeline
Not specified
Assessment process
Written decision typically provided within 15 working days of application submission
Application sections
Not specified
Application components
- Application form, site context map, Woodland Creation Design Plan Template, supporting documents and maps
Required documents
Not specified
Appendices
Not specified
Assessment criteria
- Feasibility of woodland creation, compliance with UK Forestry Standard, quality of design plan, environmental and stakeholder considerations
Decision risks
Applications may take longer if involving sensitive locations or untested tree species
Timeline and partners
Opening date
1 Dec 2015
Project duration
Not specified
Project start
Not specified
Project end
Not specified
Co-funders
Not specified
Collaboration rules
- Forestry consultant may support application but landowner/manager must be applicant.
Consortium requirements
- Single applicant per woodland creation planning project.
Additional guidance
[{"label":"Initial Research Grant","value":"£1,500 (Stage 1 – desk-based feasibility and site assessment)"},{"label":"Training Grant","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Future Funding (Subject to Stage Gate)","value":"Stage 2 funding: £150 per hectare (minus £1,500 already paid), subject to successful Stage 1 outcome"},{"label":"Intent to Apply Deadline","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Key Organisational Requirements","value":"Applicants must plan woodland creation in England with a minimum size of 5 hectares; landowner consent required if applicant does not own the land"},{"label":"Governance Requirements","value":"Woodland design must comply with the UK Forestry Standard and relevant environmental considerations"},{"label":"Monitoring Requirements","value":"Submission and approval of Woodland Creation Design Plan and supporting documentation"},{"label":"Funding Structure","value":"Two-stage funding model: Stage 1 (feasibility) followed by Stage 2 (detailed design), with optional supplementary payments for specialist surveys"},{"label":"Renewal Structure","value":"Not specified"},{"label":"Environmental & EDI Requirements","value":"Must consider biodiversity, landscape, water, historic environment, and stakeholder engagement in design"},{"label":"important notes","value":"Minimum project size is 5 hectares; funding capped at £30,500; applications accepted year-round; stage 2 funding dependent on successful stage 1 assessment"}]
Quick facts
- Status
- Open
- Deadline
- 31 Mar 2027
- Funding amount
- Up to £30,500 per project
- Funding band
- Micro (<£50k)
- Funding type
- Grant funding for planning and design of woodland creation
- Payment type
- Reimbursement
- Audience
- Mixed
- Industry
- Forestry, land management, environmental conservation
- Last updated
- 9 Jun 2026
- Published
- Not specified