New grants now available

[the village idiot]

Hi All,

 

I have had several people ask me for details on the new round of RPA grant funding. I have been sent this info today which may well be of interest.

 

TVI.

 

Countryside Productivity Grant now open for forestry applications.

 

Woodland owners and forestry contractors can now apply for grants under the Countryside Productivity Scheme, part of the Rural Development Programme. Grants, that may cover up to 40% of the total eligible costs of the project, are for woodland harvesting, extraction and small-scale processing, plus covered areas and hard standing for storage and processing. The project should enhance forestry potential or add value to forestry products. This type of business support will be central to bringing more woodlands into active management.

 

Before they apply for a Countryside Productivity grant, applicants need to register on the Rural Payments system. Online application forms for either small or large grant proposals must be completed and sent to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) by 30 June 2015.

 

Applicants need to send quotes, references to catalogue listings or formal tenders, and provide specific evidence, for example on how the investment will improve their woodland or business, woodland management plans, and proof of demand for services.

 

All details are available on https://www.gov.uk/how-to-apply-for-grants-countryside-productivity . More information is available by telephoning 0300 0200 301 (Rural Payments Helpline) or emailing [email protected]. Woodland owners or forestry contractors can also contact their local Forestry Commission office for advice and support.

 

Further information

 

The following can apply to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) for this grant: • woodland owners or those who represent a woodland association • small or medium-sized forestry contractors with an annual processing capacity of less than 10,000 cubic meters

 

The applicant can apply for a grant worth up to 40% of the total eligible costs of the proposal.

 

The application can be for either: • a small grant of between £2,500 and £35,000, or • a large grant of between £35,000 and £1,000,000.

 

Applicants can apply to fund woodland harvesting and extraction projects and small-scale processing. The project should enhance forestry potential or add value to forestry products.

 

Small scale processing is limited to chipping, splitting and sawing, using mobile or fixed machinery, undertaken either on, or immediately next to, the woodland holding, with an annual processing capacity of less than 10,000m3

 

If the processing machinery is ‘fixed’ it must be located either on or immediately next to the woodland holding.

 

Eligible equipment

 

Grants are available to buy: winches and associated equipment for extraction (including skyliners) self-propelled wood chippers tractor-mounted firewood processors, and mobile saw benches or saw mills. timber processor and harvesting heads for primary processing of felled trees forwarders forest harvesters skidders tractor-mounted forestry grabs or tongs. tractor-mounted wood chippers trommel or other types of chip-screening equipment. log decks racks log conveyors log lifters bagging shoots. trailers designed for hauling timber or logs cranes designed for extracting timber from woodland firewood and wood splitters kindling machines bagging equipment associated with firewood processors covered areas for processing, storing and seasoning hard standing for processing, storing and seasoning moisture meters

 

A number of important specific criteria and exemptions apply; check http://www.gov.uk/cap-reform for details

 

Items ineligible for funding

 

The following equipment is not eligible for funding: • personal protective clothing • chainsaws • standard or small scale tractors • all-terrain vehicles • tipping trailers • flat bed trailers • box trailers • wood-fired boilers.

[jonsey]

Only in England?

[the village idiot]

Only in England?

 

Not sure, best ask the FC

[SteveA]

Damn that looks good... if you wood in England.

[gnfencer]

yes there are sdrp payment s in Scotland, though no grants for any hedges in Aberdeenshire, just woodlands and water courses.

[saintsman54]

A new round of Creation, Planning and Tree Health grants are out for 15/16 too, info here Countryside Stewardship (England)