Forest Creation Grant
Department for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsWest Midlands, East Midlands£2k – £1m
Who can apply
Landowners with land inside, or close to, the National Forest boundary. Eligible applicants include individuals, landowning businesses, incorporated organisations, partnerships and community groups capable of entering into a legal agreement. Applicants must be able to demonstrate legal control of the land and meet the obligations of the grant. Larger or more complicated schemes may also require registration on the Rural Land Register to obtain a Single Business Identifier (SBI). You can find a detailed map of the Forest boundary on our website, just scroll down on this page.What We Cannot FundProjects that do not benefit the National Forest or its communities.Schemes under 0.25 hectares.Any works required under planning conditions, including Section 106 obligations.Planting required under a Felling Licence or Restocking Notice.Works and activities already funded through other National Forest schemes or other grants.VAT the applicant can recover from HMRC.Buildings, vehicles and other similar capital items.Any work completed before a grant offer is made.Projects with a more suitable alternative funding source.Woodland created solely for short‑rotation coppice (SRC) is not eligible f
What it funds
The Forest Creation Grant supports landowners and tenants within the National Forest or close to its boundary to take part in our shared vision of transformation through forests. By planting trees and creating thriving wooded landscapes, applicants help shape a greener, more resilient future for nature, communities and local enterprise.Whether your aim is to create new woodland, enhance and connect habitats, protect livestock, soils or crops, or develop innovative woodland-based products, this g
How to apply
It can be difficult to know what will work for you and what the National Forest can support. The best first step is usually for a National Forest advisor to visit your land. Before getting in touch, it helps to consider the following:Where is your land located? Use our online map to check if it falls within the National Forest boundary (scroll down on this page to view it). If it’s outside the boundary, let us know the location - What3Words is useful.Are there existing land management agreements? For example, Countryside Stewardship.What are your objectives? Make a note of your top three reasons for wanting to plant trees or create habitats.Can you sketch your ideas? A simple outline of the areas you think would benefit from planting is a useful starting point. If you're considering woodland, roughly how large might it be? Over 2 hectares (5 acres) is helpful to flag early.When you are r
Last checked against the official source: 24 Aug 2026. Scheme parameters are set by the funder and can change — verify before applying, or let us do it for you.
Ask about eligibility
Plain-English answers about this scheme's published criteria — not application advice.
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