THE Forestry Commission’s intention to bridge the “gap” in aid between the end of the English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) and the start of Countryside Stewardship is good news for woodland owners, according to forestry specialist Mike Dyke.

The EWGS, which ended last year, was widely used. It helped many landowners to manage woodlands, create new ones, install woodland infrastructure and re-stock after felling.

It will be replaced later this year by Countryside Stewardship (CS) – a combined scheme with what was Environmental Stewardship and Catchment Sensitive Farming. However, concerns were raised with the Forestry Commission, that the gap between the end of EWGS and the start of CS would be detrimental to the industry – particularly those responding to Statutory Plant Health Notices, perhaps due to a Phytophthora ramorum disease outbreak, and those wanting to establish new woodland.

"However, we heard yesterday that the Forestry Commission’s intention is to make a 'Preliminary Grant Offer' which is expected to be available from mid February until May 2015," said Mr Dyke, from H&H Land and Property.

The Forestry Commission has suggested that applications will be considered for three items – woodland creation; woodland improvement for plant health issues; and the creation of a Woodland Management Plan.

Mr Dyke said: "For many woodland owners it is concerning that as yet, few details have been released regarding the start of CS and the benefits to woodland owners this may bring, but we do know that to be eligible for any woodland grants a Woodland Management Plan will be required to support all applications.

"Therefore, we are urging all woodland owners who may have interest in future woodland grants under Countryside Stewardship to make use of the preliminary grant offer to create a woodland management plan. This will ensure that they have sufficient evidence to support their eligibility for a woodland grant through CS as soon as the window opens."