Landowners can benefit from woodland investment

Landowners looking for subsidies under the new Woodland Grant Scheme need to register their intention of doing so with the Forestry Commission by April 1st.

The Scheme is designed to provide better economic returns for timber, enhance the environment, and provide new areas for recreation.

Helen Gough, a member of the Agricultural and Rural Affairs team at Warwickshire lawyers Lodders, said: "The scheme is ideal for landowners looking for an alternative income from their land but they must register their intention of doing so."

She added: "The suite of new grants is designed to develop the co-ordinated delivery of public benefits from woodlands via the Rural Development Programme.

"The Commission pays grants for establishing and looking after woodlands and forests, because of the benefits which well managed woodlands can give to society.

"It also encourages good management of forests and woodlands, including well timed regeneration, particularly looking after ancient and semi-natural woodlands."

She said the scheme was expected to provide jobs and improve the economy of rural areas, and districts where there were few other sources of economic activity.

"New forest and woodlands offer an attractive long term use of land which can play an important part in diversifying an agricultural business or stand on their own as an environmentally friendly investment."

Summing up Ms Gough said: "It's important for landowners already registered in an existing grant scheme to appreciate that while they will continue to receive the subsidies on that scheme, they must re-register to be eligible for subsidies on future woodland projects.

"New entrants to the Woodland Grant Scheme must of course register their intention with the Forestry Commission without delay if they want to receive the subsidies."

Between 2000 and 2005 the Woodland Grant Scheme supported the planting of 28 million new trees and a more than a quarter of a million hectares of existing woodland were brought into approved management schemes.