Grant or payment · Wales
Woodland Creation Planning Scheme
Grant towards a Registered Woodland Planner drawing up a UK Forestry Standard woodland creation plan, needed before applying for the Woodland Creation Grant.
- From
- Welsh Government / Rural Payments Wales
- How much
- £1,000 to £5,000 per plan (minimum £1,000; £50 per whole hectare over 20 ha, up to £5,000 including surveys).
- Who can apply
- Land managers in Wales planning new woodland of at least 0.25 ha (0.5 ha for agroforestry), especially over 2 ha or on more sensitive land.
- Opens
- 5 January 2026
- Closes
- 31 December 2026
What you’ll need
- Register with Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online and get a Customer Reference Number (CRN)
- A Registered Woodland Planner
- Pre-application assessment (free NRW pre-application service available)
How to apply
- Get free pre-application advice from NRW
- Submit an Expression of Interest on RPW Online
- Monthly selection
- Planner produces the plan for NRW verification
- Claim the plan payment
2026 rules booklet published 5 January 2026. Open all year with monthly selection. No payment for plans that are not verified, though survey costs can still be claimed.
Similar schemes
- 'Making wood work for Wales' capital grant (forestry and timber) OpenWelsh Government40% capital grant for tree nurseries, forestry contractors, timber harvesting and processing businesses and private forest owners to buy equipment and bring woodland into management.
- Woodland Creation Grant (SFS Optional and non-SFS windows) OpenWelsh Government / Rural Payments Wales · Closes 20 November 2026Pays for planting, fencing and gates for new woodland of 0.25 ha or more that has a Welsh Government-approved Woodland Creation Plan, plus 12 years of maintenance and premium payments.
- Free woodland creation pre-application advice Open all yearNatural Resources WalesFree check from NRW on whether your land is suitable for new woodland before you apply for planning or planting grants.
- Glastir Woodland Creation legacy payments Open all yearWelsh Government / Rural Payments WalesAnnual maintenance and premium payments that continue for woodland planted under existing Glastir Woodland Creation contracts.
- MOREwoods Open all yearWoodland TrustSite visit, woodland design, trees and protection, and funding for new woodland of at least half a hectare.
- SFS Optional: Woodland management (capital items, then forest management plans) Coming soonWelsh Government / Rural Payments WalesCapital payments at standard rates for managing existing woods, such as fencing, invasive species control, tree surgery, specialist bird and bat boxes and veteran tree work; forest management plans to follow.
Checked against the official pages on 29 October 2026. Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4. Always read the official page before you apply.