Landowners and farmers in Lancashire can now take advantage of attractive new rates for grants to help boost their woodland areas.
Lancashire County Council's Woodlands Project is offering advice and support on how to apply for the new improved rates of grants designed to help local people make the most of existing woodlands or to plant new ones.
In some cases grants can cover 80% of the cost of the work. The new rules of the Single Payment Scheme also mean that owners can continue to claim SPS payments after the land has been planted with trees.
Paul Bullimore from the Lancashire Woodlands Project said: "The new grants from the Forestry Commission's English Woodland Grant Scheme make management and planting a very attractive option. They can help with the cost of management plans, fencing, thinning, planting, natural regeneration, footpaths and much more.
"Many woodlands in the county have a long history of under management leading to reduced ecological value and poor quality timber yet many of our native woodlands can be our richest wildlife habitats as well as growing a renewable resource – timber."
The Lancashire Woodlands Project team will be at the Great Eccleston Show on the 18th and 19th July at the new forestry and woodland section. Why not come along and find out more about trees, woodlands and woodcrafts?
Without good management the quality of the habitat and the timber deteriorates. But simple management work such as fencing the boundary to exclude grazing animals can make a huge difference.
Markets for timber have been helped recently by the growing demand for wood fuel. Many people are installing hi-tech woo d fired boilers to save money and reduce CO2 leading to increased demand for timber. This is helping to provide markets for some of the lower grade timber which in recent years has been difficult to sell.
The grant application process has been streamlined and can be completed online as well as on paper.
If you would like to know more about looking after your woodland, want to plant a new one or are interested in wood fuel please contact Paul Bullimore at the Lancashire Woodlands Project on 01772 533917 or email lwp@lancashire.gov.uk or visit www.lancashirewoodlands.co.uk
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