The woodland creation grant is a standalone capital grant under Countryside Stewardship. Farmers and other land managers can apply for a 2 year capital works programme to plant and protect young trees. If you’re eligible, a supporting maintenance grant of £200 per hectare for 10 years may also be available.

Read the 2018 manual on this page for guidance on making an application and agreement conditions.

See the main Countryside Stewardship page for more information about this scheme.

Woodland creation 2017 agreement holders should refer to the woodland creation grant manual 2017 for their agreement conditions.

The woodland creation grant is a standalone capital grant under Countryside Stewardship. Farmers and other land managers can apply for a 2 year capital works programme to plant and protect young trees. If you’re eligible, a supporting maintenance grant of £200 per hectare for 10 years may also be available.

This manual provides information about the woodland creation 2018 grant scheme and agreement conditions.

See the main Countryside Stewardship page for more information about this scheme.

Woodland creation 2017 agreement holders should refer to the woodland creation grant manual 2017 for their agreement conditions.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove met Scottish farming and fishing leaders today to discuss the future of their industries outside the EU.

Representatives from across the Scottish farming and fish processing sectors attended the meetings with the Secretary of State at Aberdeen’s James Hutton Institute, a hub for environmental and farming innovation.

The meetings focused on the specific opportunities and challenges facing Scottish farmers and fishing businesses as we prepare to leave the EU.

Farming groups including NFU Scotland, the Scottish Food and Drink Federation and the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association attended to share their ambitions and expectations for future farming policy.

And in a further meeting, representatives from the Scottish Seafood Association, Associated Seafoods and a wealth of processing companies set out their desires for future trade and the needs of the Scottish supply chain.

The meetings also focused on how Scotland’s entrepreneurial farmers and fishermen can make the best use of innovation and new technology to boost productivity.

Speaking after the meetings, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:

Aberdeen is a city extremely close to my heart and one with proud traditions in both farming and fishing. Both industries are part of the fabric of daily life for so many people in the North East, but they are also vitally important for the local and national economies, together contributing over £10 billion. I’m determined to see them go from strength to strength outside the EU.

Today’s discussions were very productive and helpful as we take forward this once in a lifetime opportunity to design a new approach that can deliver a brighter future for Scottish farmers and fishermen.

There are undoubtedly challenges ahead, but if we work together I believe there can be great rewards. I’m committed to working with the Scottish farming and fishing industries to make sure we secure a smooth transition and grasp the opportunities that leaving the EU presents.

The roundtables held today are part of a series of ongoing engagements across all parts of the UK ahead of EU exit.

He will chair his last Board later this month.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) will now begin the process of finding a suitable successor to continue the momentum created under Tony’s tenure.

Nigel Smith, a senior independent Non-Executive Director with Sellafield Ltd, will cover the role in the interim.

David Peattie, NDA Chief Executive Officer, said:

On behalf of the NDA, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Tony for his excellent leadership and contribution to the clean-up mission at Sellafield. We wish him every success in his new role.

Habitat improvements at Grantham’s Wyndham Park are the stage for a day of free activities helping everyone enjoy the nature on their doorstep.

Environment and conservation experts will be on hand at the award-winning location on Sunday 24 September, offering games, competitions, crafts, wildlife spotting and more.

All activities have been designed to show how easy and fun it is to get closer to nature – and play a part in protecting it.

The event marks the official unveiling of improvements to Wyndham’s Park’s natural habitat, and a 100m-stretch of the River Witham that flows through it.

Enhancements include an area of stepped decking enabling safe access to a shallow part of the river and new wetland habitat to attract rare species.

All were funded using fishing licence money from the Environment Agency, which is re-invested into rivers, helping to improve facilities for anglers, tackle illegal fishing and encourage more people to take up the sport.

The event will offer a chance to explore the changes to the park’s habitat, and discover how they benefit both visitors and wildlife.

Matt Parr, geomorphology technical specialist at the Environment Agency, said:

Few things beat the great outdoors but that doesn’t mean you have to escape into the wilderness. Natural wonders can be found right in the heart of your town.

We’ll be on hand to help you spot the opportunities, using the beauty of Wyndham Park – and our improvements to the river there – to show how easy and fun it is to get closer to nature.

Organisations taking part in the event include the Environment Agency, South Kesteven District Council, Lincolnshire Rivers Trust, Anglian Water and Rivercare.

It takes place from 12noon to 4.30pm on Sunday 24 September. The date coincides with World Rivers Day, a global celebration of rivers, their value to local communities and the importance of looking after them.