Information on the Register of Grant Schemes and Felling

 

The Forestry Commission maintains two Registers.  Applications for woodland creation and felling licences and any other applications we require comment upon are shown on the Register of Grant Schemes and Felling.  The Register of Environmental Impact Assessment details the decisions that we make under the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations.

Register of Grant Schemes and Felling

This register is now provided through our Grants and Licences Online Service (GLOS) and shows details of all applications for grant aid or felling in England, Scotland and Wales.  Applications only appear on the Register if they meet the requirements of the UK Forestry Standard (PDF 974kb). The Standard sets out the criteria and standards for the sustainable management of forests and woodlands in the UK.

Details of applications are shown when they reach the stage at which we are prepared to approve them.  If we approve the application, the status changes to "Approved" at which point the details are again displayed for information. Each application has a map to provide additional detail on the exact location of the work.

There are currently two lists within the register, each with multiple pages. The G&L Online Register shows English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) applications whilst the Register of New Planting and Felling, shows felling and other grant applications.
There is a help facility denoted by the question mark within the screen. This facility provides guidance on how to use the register along with explanations of the abbreviations used.

Forestry Commission England welcomes comments about felling and planting applications during the four-week period in which details are displayed on the Register. Any comments received are considered in consultation with the applicant and, if appropriate, the application may be amended or rejected.  If you are a consultee with whom we regularly confer (local authorities and statutory organisations), we will invite you to comment via letter or email.

It is worth noting that most applications are for work that will take place on private land and permission may be required to enter the area. 

To obtain details of and /or submit a comment regarding an application displayed in the G&L Online Register:

Click on the case reference. You will be presented with a basic summary of information for the application. By pressing the Case Report button you can view more information about the application (excluding personal information) and a map.

The Submit Comments button opens an electronic form for you to complete. Please note that personal information such as your name and e-mail address is collected so that, if necessary, we can provide a response. If you prefer, you can submit your comments by post; a correspondence address is shown on the Case Report's first page. Please include the application reference number in any written correspondence.

The G&L Online list is continually updated and you have 28 days from when the case first appears on the register to submit any comments.

To obtain details of and/or submit a comment regarding an application displayed in the WGS results list:

Contact your local Forestry Commission regional office (PDF 163kb) quoting the reference number and asking for further information.  Personal information contained in the application will not be included (e.g. applicant’s name, address, telephone number, amount of grant, etc) when we provide copies.

If the copy is large or if copies are requested regularly, we may charge a fee for this service.

Submit any comments either in writing or by e-mail to the same regional office quoting the reference number.

The WGS list is updated weekly, usually on a Monday, and you have 28 days from when the case first appears on the register to submit any comments.

If you would like to make comments about Defra's Higher Level Stewardship Scheme applications (with the scheme designation HLS), then you should contact the Rural Development Service. 

Energy Crop Scheme Applications and Higher Level Stewardship Applications for Woodland Work

These schemes are administered by Defra but details are shown on the Register of Grant Schemes and Felling.  Defra will make any decisions about the comments received, although they may seek our advice where appropriate.
The Higher Level Stewardship Scheme is part of Defra's Environmental Stewardship Scheme, which aims to deliver benefits in areas of high environmental value on farms.  Grants are paid to encourage the creation of small woodlands and tree felling to deliver environmental priorities e.g. restoration of other semi-natural habitats.

East London

Grants for planting trees and managing woodlands in parts of East London are administered on our behalf by Groundwork.  This applies to the following boroughs: Bexley, Barking and Dagenham, City of London, Greenwich, Hackney, Havering, Lewisham, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.  For details of applications in this scheme please see the Groundwork website.  This Register will also include a map that relates exactly to the proposed work.