Guidance

Annex 5 Woodland improvement

Published 29 June 2023

Applies to England

Multi-year options including Woodland Improvement (WD2) and capital items including Woodland Infrastructure (FY2).

Purpose

This annex provides information to support Higher Tier applications for woodland improvement using multi-year options and/or capital items.

a) Requirements for a Woodland Management Plan

If you’re applying for a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier agreement on woodland, you must have a Forestry Commission approved Woodland Management Plan (WMP) covering all the woodland in your agreement.

You must have an approved WMP throughout the 5 year period of your Higher Tier agreement, so if your WMP ends before your Higher Tier agreement, you will need to apply for a WMP for the remaining time. You can apply within the last year of your existing WMP, but to avoid double funding, there must be no overlap of WMP start and end dates.

Your WMP must be fully approved with any associated felling licence in place by 31 August.

If your land contains a SSSI, in or outside of woodland, you must contact Natural England (NE) before the CS agreement starts as NE must approve any new WMP alongside a SSSI ‘supplementary notice of operations’. If the SSSI is found to be in poor condition, a feasibility study (PA2) may also be required before a Higher Tier application can begin.

You can contact Natural England by email at [email protected] or by phone on 0300 060 3900.

Where your CS application includes historic environment multi-year options, or capital items within the woodland, work related to Scheduled Monuments may require Historic England consent. This can either be obtained separately, or alongside the Forestry Commission’s approval of your WMP.

Historic Environment options and capital items, and Veteran Tree Surgery are now eligible with the woodland improvement option WD2. This means your application will remain woodland only.

For woodland applications please complete:

• Historic Environment capital option(s) on Annex 2c
• Historical Environment and Veteran Tree Surgery multi-year option(s) on Annex 2h

If your Higher Tier application includes any Agri-Environment element, it is a mixed application, as the Historic Environment capital items and multi-annual option(s), and veteran tree surgery multi-annual option(s) will be applied to land parcel(s) outside woodland.

For mixed applications please complete:

• Annex 1b, Non-Rotational Options for Historical Environment (HS1, HS4, HS6 and HS8) and Veteran Tree Surgery (BE6) multi-annual options.
• Annex 1e for Historical Environment Capital Items HE1 and HE3

You can contact Historic England by email: [email protected] or by phone: 0370 333 0607

Your WMP must support your Higher Tier application requirements under the WD2 or historic environment options and show why you need the capital items included in your application.

You can read more information about WMPs including information about funding and download the templates from Create a woodland management plan on GOV.UK.

You can use other templates needed for a Forestry Commission approved UKFS compliant WMP, for example, a WMP produced to gain access to the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme (UKWAS), but only Forestry Commission templates must be used for your WMP using the Countryside Stewardship Woodland Management Plan grant.

Amending Woodland Management Plans to support Countryside Stewardship applications

You may find your current WMP does not support your Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier application. For example, an older WMP might not:

• accurately reflect the current woodland management objectives
• fully address the current constraints and threats affecting woodland management
• be compliant with the current UKFS standard (revised 2017).

You may be able to make amendments to your WMP as part of making your Higher Tier application, depending on the type needed. You need to discuss any changes with your Woodland Officer as soon as possible as Forestry Commission approval is needed by 31 August.

To get this approval you might have to:

• hold discussions with relevant stakeholders
• apply for and get additional felling permissions
• arrange for any other consents needed.

Submit your amended WMP to your local Forestry Commission Woodland Officer allowing enough time for approval.

It is unlikely that major amendments to an existing funded PA3 WMP could be approved in time. Forestry Commission Woodland Officers can advise if you are eligible for new PA3 or not and on the likelihood of amendments being approved in time.

Key points:

• a Forestry Commission WMP must be approved or approved in principle to support an eligible Countryside Stewardship application by the initial application submission deadline of 29 April

• where a WMP is approved in principle at the deadline for initial applications, the felling consents and permissions must be completed and a felling licence in place by the final application deadlines given above

• where the WMP needs an amendment so that it supports management options/item requests (for example if using WD2 to support a priority objective that is not within the existing WMP), the WMP must be amended and approved by the final application deadlines given above

• For applications of less than 10 hectares, you will receive a minimum payment of £1000 per year for 5 years

b) Eligible Area and Value Thresholds

To be eligible for Higher Tier the total area of woodland in your application must be 3 hectares or more (unless the woodland is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, in which case this threshold is lowered to 1 hectare). The total area for the application can be made up of separate blocks of woodland, but the minimum size for these blocks is 0.5 hectares.

To be eligible for Higher Tier Woodland Improvement, the land parcels must be registered with a land use of WO12 – woodland, on the Rural Payments service. Read Forestry Commission Operations Note 42 for more information about this.

If you are making a mixed application for both agri-environment and woodland options, the 3-hectare minimum application size still applies, but this can be made up of land containing both woodland and agri-environment options and/or items. The 0.5-hectare minimum block size for woodland still applies.

The table below lists the minimum agreement and block sizes, as well as the minimum total value of capital items within a single agreement.

Higher Tier woodland applications minimum requirements

Area/Capital item	Minimum area for individual block (hectare)	Minimum agreement requirement (hectare)
Overall area	0.5	3ha woodland-only 1ha woodland SSSI 0.5ha of woodland within a mixed application
Capital items (including infrastructure applications)	0.5	Minimum value £500

c) Application timeline for Higher Tier woodland applications

All woodland applications must be made using the map and application pack available on request from us – Annex 9 lists contact details. Guidance and sample forms referred to in this manual are available at Countryside Stewardship on GOV.UK.

The timeline for woodland applications is:

You must send your application to us by 29 April. We won’t accept applications after this date so apply as early as possible.

Applicant action	Timeline
Request an agreement map and Higher Tier application pack	As soon as possible and by 31 March at the latest. This is to allow initial applications to be received by 29 April
Sign and submit application form, including woodland annex and agreement map	By 29 April
Develop your initial application with a Forestry Commission Woodland Officer, including a site visit, to create a final application, with maps, scoring form and work specifications agreed	After submission of an eligible initial application
Sign and submit completed final application with all requested supporting documentation to Forestry Commission Woodland Officer, including maps, quotes, agreed revised score forms and work specifications	Applications by 31 August
Confirm your acceptance of the agreement offered	From November onwards

d) Woodland Improvement multi-year option (WD2), other multi-year options, Woodland Infrastructure (FY2) and capital items

Countryside Stewardship provides support for woodland improvement under the Higher Tier through the woodland improvement option (WD2) and/or capital items, including woodland infrastructure (FY2).

You can apply for WD2 and/or capital item(s) where work will support the following priority objectives:

• enhancing priority habitats
• enhancing priority species
• restoring plantations on ancient woodland sites
• improve resilience to climate change through continuous cover forestry.

Woodland Improvement option (WD2)

This is a multi-year option with a minimum £1000 per year for 10ha or less, or £100/ha for 10ha or more, per year for 5 years. You can find the WD2: Woodland improvement guide to support this option on GOV.UK.

Other multi-year options (HS1, HS4, HS6, HS8, BE6)

These are multi-year options which can be used to support the management of historic environment features in your woodland parcels. These are compatible and can be combined with WD2 to support a range of objectives compliant with the UK Forestry Standard. Work included within these multi-year options (e.g. scrub control under HS4) must not be included within the WD2 Prescriptions (e.g. P2007 “manage successional scrub”) or capital items (e.g. support for scrub control via SB1 or SB2) applied to that parcel.

The multi-year option BE6 veteran tree surgery is to be linked with the individual trees included within the WD2 prescription with P2010.

The use of these multi-year options and supporting capital items is at the discretion of the Forestry Commission. The use of historic environment multi-year options will be required if your HEFER (see section 4.10.1) identifies essential work to Scheduled Monuments in woodland parcels.

For more information on these options, please use the ‘Countryside Stewardship grants’ (known as the ‘grant finder’) on GOV.UK.

Capital items

A number of capital items can be applied for to support woodland improvement. Some of these can be applied for on their own, and others have to be applied for with other capital items or the WD2 option.

Find more information in the following table.

Further details for each capital item can be found using the Countryside Stewardship grants (known as the ‘grant finder’) on GOV.UK

Capital items that can be used stand alone or in association with WD2		Capital items that can only be used in association with WD2	Supplementary capital items that can only be associated with other capital items
BN12 – Stone wall restoration		RP5 – Cross drains	FG4 – Rabbit fencing supplement
BN13 – Top Wiring – stone wall		WN5 – Pond management (100 square metres or less)	FG5 – Fencing supplement - difficult sites
BN14 – Stone wall supplement – stone from quarry		WB1 – Small wildlife box	FG12 – Wooden field gate
FG1 – Fencing		WB2 – Medium wildlife box	FG14– Badger gate
FG2 – Sheep netting		WB3 – Large wildlife box	FG15 – Water gates
FG9 – Deer fencing		RP3 – Watercourse crossings
FG10 – Temporary deer fencing		RP6 – Installation of piped culverts in ditches
FG11 – Deer exclosure plot		FY1 – Deer high seat
FG16 – Deer pedestrian gate		WN8 – Timber sluice
FG17 – Deer vehicle gate		SB4 – Chemical bracken control
		HE1 - Historic and Archaeological Feature Protection
		HE3 - Removal of Eyesore
FY2 – Woodland infrastructure		SB5 – Mechanical bracken control
RP32 – Small leaky woody dam (1m to 2.99m)
RP33 – Large leaky woody dam (3.0m to 5m)
SB1 – Scrub control and felling diseased trees
SB2 – Scrub control - difficult sites
SB6 – Rhododendron control

Multi-year and capital woodland improvement options and items can be applied for on the same land if they are complementary and not used to fund the same work.

Evidence and quotes for capital items

If you apply for woodland capital items, you might need photographs that show the proposed location of the capital item object or operation. You must keep this evidence as we may ask to see it.

If you apply for any of the capital items listed below you will need photographs to show the absence of the items you are applying for. You must keep this evidence as we may ask to see it.

Code	Capital item
BN12		Stone wall restoration
BN13		Top wiring – stone wall
BN14		Stone wall supplement – stone from quarry
FG1		Fencing
FG2		Sheep netting
FG4		Rabbit fencing supplement
FG5		Fencing supplement – difficult sites
FG12		Wooden field gate
FG14		Badger gates
FG15		Water gates
RP32		Small leaky woody dam (1m to 2.99m)
RP33		Large leaky woody dam (3m to 5m)
SB1		Scrub control and felling diseased trees
SB2		Scrub control – difficult sites
SB4		Chemical bracken control
SB5		Mechanical bracken control
WN5		Pond management (100 square metres or less)
WB1		Small wildlife box
WB2		Medium wildlife box
WB3		Large wildlife box
HE1		Historic and archaeological feature protection
HE3		Removal of eyesore

If you apply for the capital item Woodland Infrastructure (FY2) you will need to give 3 quotes in your final application.

We recommend that you check all requirement details for all capital items at Countryside Stewardship grants (known as the ‘grant finder’) on GOV.UK.

Woodland infrastructure (FY2)

You can apply for capital item FY2 under a Higher Tier Agreement, however claims against FY2 can not be made until the Higher Tier agreement is live. The earliest Higher Tier Agreement can go live is 1 January 2023.

As of 2022, Capital Item FY2 is available as a standalone capital item and awarded as a capital item grant through Countryside Stewardship Protection and Infrastructure. Applications for this grant are open all year round.

This capital item supports woodland management by making the woodland accessible by road, allowing timber and other forest products to be moved or stored for transport more easily. Your WMP or WCP must identify the need for the proposed access or you should have an agreement from your Woodland Officer.

We will pay 40% of actual costs for this item (including VAT and agents’ fees, where applicable). You must submit at least 3 written quotations with your final application. Each quote should clearly show an itemised specification of the proposed work (for example, length of road, construction method and length).

If you want to use your own labour and machinery to carry out the work, you will still be required to provide at least 3 written quotations, with the quotation for your own work based on labour costs, hourly rates and the cost of using your own machines with an explanation to support the rates.

Your application maps must clearly show the location of the proposed infrastructure. You will need to prepare a detailed specification for the road/infrastructure, tailored to the site and explain why the specification has been chosen. Your specification needs to:

• set out the work that will be carried out on site showing how the soil conditions have been considered.

• meet national legislation, following the Construction, Design and Management (CDM) regulations for forest roads and tracks. You can read further information in Forestry Commission Operations Note 25 on GOV.UK.

You need to give clear reasons in your application why the road specification you’ve chosen is appropriate. This will be assessed by the Forestry Commission.

Before applying for this item, you must:

• notify the local planning authority and the relevant highways authority so they can decide whether the work can be classified as a permitted development. Read Planning permission for Farms. This requires you to submit a description of the work to the Local Authority

• get consent for work from the local planning authority (or internal drainage boards within an internal drainage district) where the road crosses a watercourse or uses culverts during construction, use or maintenance. Where a new road in a forest needs access to the public highway the relevant highways authority may need to be notified too. You must send a copy of the local planning authority’s advice and any permits with your initial application.

If the work can be classified as permitted development, you will need to inform the Forestry Commission, who will decide whether the work will require consent under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) Regulations. This depends on whether the proposal is likely to have a significant effect on the environment.

Read FY2: Woodland infrastructure on GOV.UK for guidance to support this item.

Scrub control – difficult sites (SB2)

This capital item supports scrub control on sites that either need specialist operations or machinery, or where scrub control is included in your FC approved WMP. Up to 80% of actual costs will be paid (including VAT, where applicable). You must provide at least 3 written quotations with your final application. Read SB2: Scrub control - difficult sites on GOV. UK for guidance to support this item.

e) Work required under WD2

To support delivery of the priority objectives in Section (b) there are both mandatory and optional sets of requirements and evidence.

Monitoring and recording evidence

Compliance with UK Forestry Standard

Prescription 2008	Evidence needed
Management time – evidence of activities undertaken: monitoring, photography, marking.	Retention of monitoring reports at years 3 and 5 where identified below as we may ask to see them. Retention of other supporting documents, for example, Operational Site Assessments, sales receipts to be available on request during site visits.

Compliance with UK Forestry Standard

Prescription 2012	Evidence needed
UKFS compliant operational activities evidenced by completion of an Operational Site Assessment or similar.	Retention of Operational Site Assessment or similar to be available during site visits.

Monitor change

Prescription 2006	Evidence needed
Provide monitoring reports in years 3 and 5 to confirm progress (for example providing before and after photographs, a record of the number of deer culled, and the results of squirrel monitoring).	Retention of reports in years 3 and 5 to include photographic evidence. We may ask to see this evidence.

The following will also apply to woodland improvement activity unless they are not relevant to the woodland. This will be agreed with your Forestry Commission Woodland Officer:

Thin or selectively fell trees

Prescription 2011	Evidence needed
Thin or selectively fell [X] hectares of trees.	Retention of reports in years 3 and 5 to include before and after photographic evidence. We may ask to see this evidence.

Regeneration felling

Prescription 2013	Evidence needed
Undertake regeneration felling to encourage crown development and/or natural regeneration.	On site visual checks to show compliance with management plan proposals.

Regeneration planting

Prescription 2003	Evidence needed
If, in spaces exceeding 0.25ha, 2 years after the removal of conifers, natural regeneration of native species has not begun, or conditions to support natural regeneration of native species are not in place, replant with [species] at 1100 trees per hectare (note: there is a regulatory requirement that felled areas are restocked.)	On site visual checks to show compliance with management plan proposals.

Silvicultural transformation

Prescription 2004	Evidence needed
Implement silvicultural transformation as informed by the Woodland Management Plan.	On site visual checks of conversion activity and associated record keeping to show compliance with management plan proposals.

Reduce conifers

Prescription 2018	Evidence needed
By year 5 reduce the percentage of coniferous species from [x%] to [y%].	On site visual check that percentage reduction has been achieved through sampling.

Manage successional scrub

Prescription 2007	Evidence needed
Manage successional scrub through cyclical cutting.	Retention of reports in years 3 and 5 to include before and after photographic evidence. We may ask to see this evidence. On site visual check that management has been undertaken.

Coppicing

Prescription 2009	Evidence needed
Re-coppice [x]ha of [y] species.	Retention of reports in years 3 and 5 to include before and after photographic evidence. We may ask to see this evidence. On site visual check that re-coppicing has taken place.

Squirrel monitoring

Prescription 2016	Evidence needed
Within red squirrel strongholds monitor red and grey squirrel presence through current best practice, for example, hair tubes.	Retention of monitoring reports in years 3 and 5 as we may ask to see them.

Veteran trees

Prescription 2010	Evidence needed
Release [x] existing and/or recruitment veteran trees from competing tree growth.	Retention of reports in years 3 and 5 to include before and after photographic evidence. We may ask to see this evidence. On site visual check to show compliance with management plan proposals.

Deer control

Prescription 2015

Evidence needed

Where deer control has been identified as required in the woodland management plan, by the end of year 1 of the agreement have in place a deer management plan. Manage deer populations to allow the establishment of appropriate ground flora and understory, preferably by means of lethal control but if this is not effective through fencing deer out of the woodland. Monitor such management and provide reports including, for example, deer cull numbers and photographic evidence from deer exclusion plots in years 3 and 5.

Retention of monitoring reports in years 3 and 5 as we may ask to see them.

Remove non-native/invasive species

Prescription 2014	Evidence needed
Vegetation management - remove [x] hectares of competing and/or non-native or invasive vegetation of [y] species by appropriate mechanical or chemical control.	Retention of reports in years 3 and 5 to include before and after photographic evidence. We may ask to see this evidence. On site visual check to show compliance with management plan proposals.

Permanent open space

Prescription 2000	Evidence needed
Create and/or manage [x] hectares of permanent open space.	Retention of reports in years 3 and 5 to include before and after photographic evidence. We may ask to see this evidence. On site visual check to show compliance with management plan proposals.

Access Tracks

Prescription 2001	Evidence needed
Create and/or manage [x] metres of access rides.	On site visual check to show compliance with management plan proposals.

Ride management

Prescription 2006	Evidence needed
Manage [x] metres of ride edges through an [x] zone cutting regime.	Retention of reports in years 3 and 5 to include before and after photographic evidence. We may ask to see this evidence. On site visual check to show compliance with management plan proposals.

Deadwood

Prescription 2002	Evidence needed
Create and/or maintain appropriate levels of deadwood habitat in line with UKFS.	Retention of reports in years 3 and 5 to include before and after photographic evidence. We may ask to see this evidence. On site visual check to show compliance with management plan proposals.

Grey squirrel control

Prescription 2016	Evidence needed
Where grey squirrels are identified as a threat in the woodland management plan they will be controlled by live or lethal trapping. Trap type and trapping methods must follow any best practice with respect to legality, checking frequency and dispatch method. In areas with red squirrels, only live trapping is permitted. Shooting may be undertaken as an additional method of control.	On site visual check to show compliance with management plan proposals.

Operational Site Planning

Prescription	Evidence needed
UKFS compliant operational activities evidenced by completion of an Operational Site Assessment (OSA) or similar.	Retention of Operational Site Assessment or similar to be available during site visits.

Key points:

• If you include deer control in your agreement, you must have a deer management plan in place at the end of the first year of your agreement.

• You need to produce monitoring reports in years 3 and 5. Your reports should contain information for each of the prescriptions in your agreement, as identified in the table above. You must keep this evidence as we may ask to see it.

• From the start of the Higher Tier window opening in 2022, FY2 will be available as a standalone grant. Please see the FY2 pages on the Countryside Stewardship grants on Gov.uk.

• You need to keep other evidence such as Operational Site Assessments, deer management plans and invoices. You will need to have this evidence available for any site visit that may take place during the life of your agreement.

f) Maps

Agreement Maps

An Agreement Map for Woodland Improvement must be created and submitted with every initial application by 29 April. You will be sent a map with the application pack you requested. You may then choose to use the supplied map as a base on which to mark items, boundaries and/or other details.

If you want to you can create your own Agreement Map using GIS software or you can request a map from the Forestry Commission using their map request form on GOV.UK.

However you create your map, the Agreement Map must meet the minimum mapping standards outlined below. Whether you use the supplied map or create your own Agreement Map, you must create 2 copies of your Options/FER map.

You must show your options choices on one copy and show the environmental features on your holding on the other copy. After you’ve done this, scan them into your computer.

When you request an application pack, we will ask you to confirm the presence of any existing Environmental Stewardship agreements on the land. If you use the Forestry Commission map request form, you can highlight any existing ES agreements on the land parcels you want included in a Higher Tier agreement.

This means we can discuss initial eligibility issues with you. We will carry out more detailed eligibility checks throughout the application process.

For more information on Environmental Stewardship and Higher Tier agreements, please read section 3.4.1 of this manual.

The woodland option WD2 is only available for established woodland. To make sure this requirement is met land must be both:

• fully established – your Woodland Officer will check this during their site visit, we expect trees in newly planted woodland to be at least 15 years old to qualify

• no longer receiving either Farm Woodland Payments (FWP), Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS) or Farm Woodland Scheme (FWS).

In established woodland, if there is a live multi-annual English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) agreement on the land, you should speak to your Forestry Commission Woodland Officer to confirm if the land is eligible to be included in your application.

When we receive your initial application we will check if the land included in your application is eligible.

When contacting us, you must have the following information to hand:

• applicant’s Single Business Identifier (SBI).
• applicant’s personal details.
• County Parish Holding (CPH) number.
• land parcel numbers for the land you want to include in your application.
• whether or not a live Environmental Stewardship agreement is present on any land parcels in the application.

Minimum mapping standards for your Agreement Map

If you use the map we sent you, you’ll need to:

• colour the location of the proposed area of WD2 and/or any capital items using a coloured pen. List the capital item code(s) next to the areas you mark

• make sure that the map’s key includes areas of WD2 and capital items

• make sure that your land parcel numbers are clearly shown

• mark fence lines – make a note on the map to show the type of fence (code) you are applying for
• write on the top right corner of each map:
  • your SBI
  • the business name (this is the name registered with the SBI in the Rural Payments service)
  • application year and agreement title (as detailed on the application form)
• use black ink when you write on the Agreement Map
• if you make a mistake do not use correction fluid, strike through the mistake instead.

If you create a map using GIS software, instead of using the map supplied by us, you need to meet the following minimum standards in addition to those listed above:

• if there are no numbered Ordnance Survey (OS) grid lines, you must note the 6 figure OS grid reference for the centre of the map on the bottom left of the map
• the scale of the map must be clearly shown.

You will be responsible for providing updated maps following any agreed changes to the proposed annual or capital items.

Annotated maps

You must submit a supplementary set of high quality, colour maps when you are developing your Higher Tier initial application. You must write/mark on the maps:

• the locations of the capital items
• the specific locations where the work will be carried out - for example, ride management, coppice management, veteran trees – other examples are given in Annex 2
• the specification of the work if required, for example, 2 and 3 zone ride mowing. You must include a clear and concise key on your map so that we understand your marks and notes.

You can make your annotated maps by using one of the following:

• a copy of the base map we sent you
• an appropriate OS map.

Your map, or maps, can show a mixture of information but must be clear and easy to read. Create a series of maps if you need to add too many items to show clearly on one map. A single annotated map, or a series of maps, must cover all of the WD2 elements included in your application.

Some examples of this include:

• ride creation/management - clarifying where each type of ride will be created
• open space creation and management
• veteran trees identification and management
• areas of thinning/regeneration felling – clarifying where each felling operation will be carried out.

The full list of WD2 elements can be found in Annex 5, section e) of this manual. You must have annotated maps for the Forestry Commission Woodland Officer’s site visit. They need the maps to discuss and agree your final application and to help prepare your agreement with RPA.

When you submit your final Agreement Map and the annotated map(s), it is your responsibility to make sure that areas marked on the maps are accurate and agree with the details of your application. We will identify any mapping discrepancies through our environmental outcome site visits and checks.

Reductions or recoveries may be applied – read Section 6.4 of the manual.

g) Scoring

Overview

For all CS Higher Tier applications please read the ‘How to complete your Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier application’ guide - gives helpful tips about how to complete your application. You can also watch the Forestry Commission video on YouTube:

Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier – guidance for applicants’

Countryside Stewardship is a targeted, competitive scheme. We will give priority for funding to those offering the greatest environmental benefits particularly in relation to biodiversity, the restoration of PAWS sites, improvements to water quality / flood prevention. Not all eligible applications will be offered an agreement.

Woodland applications and the woodland elements of mixed applications, will be scored on the basis of:

• if your application deals with an environmental priority for your area – if it does, we will give it a higher score
• how your plans will help the environmental priorities for your area.

The capital items you apply for must go with the WD2 specifications you include on your application. Your application must show how you will deal with one or more of the 4 priority objectives (priority habitat, priority species, restoring plantations on ancient woodland sites and improve resilience to climate change through continuous cover forestry).

All scoring has an area-based element so you will need to identify:

• which priority objective(s) for your area you will deal with in your application
• which land parcels in your application you will use for this priority objective.

You can check this by visiting Land Information Search (LIS) on GOV.UK.

Process

Action	Responsibility	When
Complete and submit score form (Annex 2e of the application form)	Applicant	By 29 April
Confirm that the self-score meets or exceeds 1,100 points	RPA	On receipt of initial application
Initial Ranking + Threshold Setting	Forestry Commission National Office	By early June
Final Ranking + Threshold Setting	Forestry Commission National Office	After 31 August

• You must submit a completed, self-scoring form as part of your woodland application by 29 April.

• We will rank initial applications against a nationally determined threshold score. This threshold score will take into account the value of initial applications submitted and the funding available to support agreements for that year.

• After the initial application deadline has passed (29 April) we will rank all applications received by their scores. We will tell you if it is likely that your application will be considered in the final ranking in October.

• Your Final application must include a final score, agreed with the Woodland Officer, by the deadline for submitting final applications (31 August).

• We will rank final applications against a nationally determined threshold score that takes into account the value of final applications submitted and the funding available to support agreements for that year.

• The woodland and agri-environment elements of your application will be ranked separately. Natural England will carry out the ranking for agri-environment elements and Forestry Commission will carry out the ranking for the woodland elements. If you have a mixed application, it will need to pass the initial ranking for each element.

Scoring multi-year options and capital items

If you declare multi-year options and capital items on the same piece of land, we will score only the multi-year option.

Multi-year options

We will give a base score and an additional area-based score. We may give a supplementary score if your application includes a woodland bird assemblage and/or a woodland SSSI and/or it deals with more than one priority objective.

Formula: base score + (area based score x hectare of activity) + supplementary score(s) = total score

Scoring capital items

‘Stand-alone’ capital items will be scored if they are not on the same area of land as a multi-year option. The area-based element of the score is determined using an ‘area of influence’.

Formula: base score + (area-based score x hectare of influence) + supplementary score(s) = total score. The table below shows the ‘area of influence’ for each ‘stand-alone’ capital item:

Capital item	Description of area of influence
BN12 – Stone wall restoration	The area of woodland protected by the wall
BN13 - Top wiring	The area of woodland protected by the top wiring
BN14 – Stone wall supplement – stone from quarry	The area of woodland protected by the wall
FG1 – Fencing	The area of woodland protected by the fence
FG2 - Sheep netting	The area of woodland protected by the netting
FG9 – Deer fencing	The area of woodland protected by the fence
FG10 – Temporary deer fencing	The area of woodland protected by the fence
FG11 – Deer enclosure plot	The area of woodland around the enclosure(s) where deer impact is being assessed. You will need enough plots to allow the impacts of deer to be assessed across the woodland.
FY2 – Infrastructure	The area of woodland that the infrastructure will provide access to and bring into management
SB1 – Scrub control	The area of land receiving support for scrub control
SB2 – Scrub control – difficult sites	The area of land receiving support for scrub control
SB4 – Chemical bracken control	The area of land receiving support for bracken control
SB5 – Mechanical bracken control	The area of land receiving support for bracken control
SB6 – Rhododendron control	The area of land receiving support for rhododendron control

h) Woodland Maintenance payments (WD1)

The Woodland Maintenance payment (WD1) is a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier option to support the maintenance of newly created woodland resulting from a Countryside Stewardship Woodland Creation Grant agreement.

WD1 is a multi-year option that is for a period of 10 years. You submit an annual claim and will then receive an annual payment. If your application is successful, the agreement will start on 1 January 2023. It will end on 31 December of the tenth year.

The grant is only available if you are an existing Countryside Stewardship Woodland Creation Agreement Holder. If you are, when your capital grant agreement ends, we will send you a WD1 application pack. You can then apply for a WD1 agreement if you meet the following eligibility requirements:

• you met your Woodland Creation objectives and your final claim will be paid

• the land is not owned by a public authority - this includes land owned by the state, the Crown, county councils, district councils and local authorities

The WD1 application is separate from the other Higher Tier applications so may have a different deadline for returning it to us. You will find the deadline date in the application pack sent to you.

You can find more information on woodland maintenance payments on ‘Countryside Stewardship grants’ (known as the ‘grant finder’) on GOV.UK.

i) Woodland Supplements

A relevant prescription(s) should be chosen for woodland improvement option WD2 to allow application (and eligibility) of specific woodland supplement(s). For example, you should apply for P2015 under WD2 in order to supplement its delivery with the WS1.

WS1 – Deer Control and Management

Aim: Achieve effective deer management

How much will you be paid: £90 /ha

Where to use this item:

• Where deer are identified in the Woodland Management Plan as a threat to semi-natural woodlands, regeneration and/or where deer browsing negatively impacts on woodland features, ground flora or structure.

Where this item cannot be used:

• If deer hasn’t been identified as a threat to woodlands.

How will this item benefit the environment?

Effective use of supplement will:

• Reduce deer browsing and grazing impacts to woodlands, ground flora and vulnerable features in the wider landscape enabling damaged ecosystems to recover

• Improve woodland structural and species diversity helping to increase resilience to climate change, pest and diseases

• Ensure sustainable numbers of deer appropriate to the habitat.

Management Requirements:

• In addition to P2015 under WD2 (baseline option), Deer Management Plan (DMP) production should be in collaboration and agreement with your local Deer Officer/Woodland Officer and be submitted by the end of year one. Within the DMP we expect to see baseline deer habitat impact and activity assessment to have been undertaken to inform the deer management planning. Your DMP will build on the draft plan that you will submit with your Initial Application documents

• You should erect the agreed number of additional deer monitoring exclosures starting with year 1 of your Higher Tier Agreement to be complete in full by the end of year 2. Please follow the advice and specifications outlined in Operational Note to erect monitoring exclosure plots. Photographic monitoring evidence of plots should be submitted to your local Deer officer/Woodland officer at the beginning and years 3 and 5 of your agreement

• Carry out agreed levels of culling activity (as agreed with Deer Officer/Woodland Officer in your Deer Management Plan). Provide evidence of culling activity and cull returns to the Deer Officer/Woodland Officer annually following the guidance and template provided on GOV.UK.

• Provide annual habitat impact assessments that will be recorded in a report (link to be added) (supported with a graded (high/medium/low) impact and activity summary and photographic evidence of the survey), following the guidance and templates provided. Habitat impact assessments should be carried out in all significant woodland habitats and structure types. Each woodland across the landholding within the agreement as soon as possible in year 1 (to support the DMP) and then in years 3 and 5.

Supporting mechanisms:

• Deer Officers in conjunction with the National Deer Advisor will publish and maintain templates for deer habitat impact assessments, cull data, and Deer Management Plan templates

• Deer Officers will offer support and advise applicants individually or through group events, on the deer management planning and other elements to deliver the supplement successfully

• Deer Officers will offer awareness sessions on deer management requirements, and training in the use of habitat impact monitoring (deer impact and activity assessments). It is expected that applicants will be invited to attend one of the sessions held. These will be organised and run at several locations within each area during each year (Specific details to be confirmed and published nearer the time)

• Operational Note to erect monitoring exclosure plots outlines specifications on deer exclosure plots. For specialist advise please consult with your local deer officer/woodland officer

Keeping records

At the application stage:

• Supply a draft Deer Management Plan (DMP) with your Initial Application Documents.

You must keep the following records and supply them on request:

• Any bank statements, receipted invoices, consents, or permissions connected with the work

• Records of all management activity on the option area for each parcel, including an operational site assessment, or similar, to show UKFS compliant operational activities

• A Forestry Commission approved management plan that justifies the need for this option

• A Deer Management Plan in place by the end of the first year

• Monitoring reports for year 3 and 5 of the agreement to confirm progress (for example providing before and after photographs, a record of the number of deer culled, and the results of squirrel monitoring)

• Evidence of activities undertaken through monitoring, photography and marking

WS2 – PAWS Restoration and Maintenance

Aim: Restore and maintain plantations on ancient woodlands sites

How much will you be paid: £70 /ha

Where to use this item:

• In ancient woodland (identified on Natural England’s ancient woodland inventory) - download the data or view it on the Magic map system (zoom in to see local detail) - to maintain the restoration of PAWS where tree felling work is selected under WD2.

Where this item cannot be used:

• On the land that does not meet the spatial eligibility criteria unless advised by Forestry Commission Woodland Officer.

How will this item benefit the environment?

Supplement will help restore plantations on ancient woodland sites to:

• Ensure the existing native component of the canopy is being maintained and, in most situations, increased aiming for at least 80% native species

• Be resilient and able to adapt to climate change

• Safeguard and enhance the public benefits provided by ancient woodland

• Address and mitigate threats to the woodland resource

Management Requirements:

• Keep all newly planted trees or natural regeneration free from competing vegetation for 5 years (throughout the duration of your CS Agreement) by using approved manual methods e.g., mulch, or a clearing saw, hook or scythe

• Replace any trees that die

• Use enrichment planting if natural colonisation fails

• If not already identified as mandatory under WD2, complete an operational site assessment – OSA by year 1 of your Agreement. FS OSA example

The agreement will set out what must not be done. It is likely successful applicants will not be allowed to:

• Use any herbicides if there is a recognisable surviving semi-natural ground flora for example; wild herbs, grasses, ferns and mosses

Keeping records;

• Any bank statements, receipted invoices, consents, or permissions connected with the work
• Records of all management activity on the option area for each parcel

Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this item

Practise Guide: Choosing stand management methods for restoring planted ancient woodland sites

WS3 – Squirrel Control and Management

Aim: Achieve effective squirrel management

How much will you be paid: £50 /ha

Where to use this item:

• where the sites are identified as being threatened by grey squirrels

Where this item cannot be used:

• if squirrels have not been identified as a threat to woodlands

How will this item benefit the environment?

Effective use of supplement will:

• limit tree damage and support red squirrel populations where present
• increase control of invasive species
• support conservation of composition of native woodland

(Management) Requirements:

• Produce a Squirrel Management Plan (SMP) by year 1. You should work collaboratively with your deer officer/woodland officer to produce the plan and outline activities within. (Activities should include trapping and/or shooting, or as agreed with your Deer Officer). SMP should be submitted electronically to your local deer officer/woodland officer by the end of year 1 of your agreement to secure the annual funding for WS3. Your SMP will build on the draft plan that you will submit with your Final Application documents

• Undertake training in Grey Squirrel control – courses to be discussed with your local deer officer/woodland officer

• Erect an agreed number of traps within your woodland as per your Squirrel Management Plan (SMP)

• Provide squirrel control evidence by year 2, 3, 4 and 5: Photographic evidence of effort/activity and outcomes to be submitted electronically to your local deer officer/woodland officer.

Supporting mechanisms:

• National Deer Advisor will provide templates for squirrel management plans

• Deer Officers or other specialist staff will offer support and advise applicants individually or through group (training) events, on management planning and other elements for scheme requirements

Keeping records

At the application stage:

• Supply a draft Squirrel Management Plan with your Final Application Documents.

You must keep the following records and supply them on request:

• Any bank statements, receipted invoices, consents, or permissions connected with the work

• Records of all management activity on the option area for each parcel, including an operational site assessment, or similar, to show UKFS compliant operational activities

• A Forestry Commission approved management plan that justifies the need for this option

• A Squirrel Management Plan by the end of year 1

• Monitoring reports for year 3 and 5 of the agreement to confirm progress (for example providing before and after photographs, a record of the number of squirrels culled, and the results of squirrel monitoring)

• Evidence of activities undertaken through monitoring, photography and marking

Advice and how to carry out this item, controlling grey squirrels forests and woodlands

WS4 – Access for People

Aim: Enable permissive access (by foot) across the whole woodland

How much will you be paid: £50 /ha

Where to use this item:

• Where people would benefit from gaining access to woodlands

Where this item cannot be used:

• Outside the spatial eligibility unless agreed with Woodland Officer

• Where woodland owner/manager already has a legal obligation to provide access by foot due to their existing commitments or where legal rights already exist, for example open access land

How will this item benefit the environment?

Access for people incentive will:

• Create greater opportunities for public to access woods
• Contribute to publics’ health and mental well-being
• Create alternative outdoor activities
• Create educational opportunities to better understanding woodlands
• Encourage and foster engagement with nature

Management Requirements:

• Enable permissive access to the woodland through identifiable paths and routes: management and maintenance of the path network, to allow public access throughout the year for access by foot, and where reasonable, including mobility aids and pushchairs/buggies

• Erect appropriate signage for public to be aware that they are welcome to visit the woods

• Carry out a necessary number of site inspections on an annual basis to ensure the woodland is H&S compliant.

Keeping records:

• Any bank statements, receipted invoices, consents, or permissions connected with the work

• Records of all management activity on the option area for each parcel, including an operational site assessment, or similar, to show UKFS compliant operational activities

• Evidence of activities undertaken through monitoring, photography and marking

Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this item

Open access land management rights and responsibilities

And public rights of way landowner responsibilities

Agreement Management

Agreement Holders must comply with the mandatory elements set out in Section 6 of this manual. They must also be familiar with the Annex 1 Terms and Conditions.

Work can start on or after the 1 January 2023 agreement start date, you can find more information on the required record keeping in the WD1: Woodland creation - maintenance payments guidance on GOV.UK.

Claims process – multi-year agreements

Revenue Claims (for Woodland Creation Maintenance): must be received by midnight on 15 May of the relevant claim year (except where 15 May falls on a Bank Holiday, other public holiday or weekend. In such cases the deadline is the next working day).

Agreement Holders can make a late payment claim for annual maintenance payments after the deadline of 15 May each year, until midnight on 10 June (except where 10 June falls on a Bank Holiday, other public holiday or weekend. In such cases the deadline is the next working day) but they will incur a penalty.

For each working day the payment claim is late, the size of the penalty will be 1%. Agreement Holders cannot make payment claims after midnight on 10 June (apart from in cases of good reasons for a breach). For more information about the claims process, read Section 6.1 of this manual.

You must keep the evidence listed under ‘Keeping records’ in the WD1: Woodland creation - maintenance payments guidance on GOV.UK.

We may ask to see this evidence.

Payments for all agreements

RPA will make all payments directly into the Agreement Holder’s nominated bank account.