Grant or payment · England
Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG)
Pays for the surveys and design work to plan a new woodland that meets the UK Forestry Standard.
- From
- Forestry Commission
- How much
- Stage 1: £1,500 fixed. Stage 2: £150 per ha minus the £1,500 (minimum £500). Cap £30,500 per project. Extra for specialist surveys if needed.
- Who can apply
- Landowners, land managers and public bodies (not Forestry England); landowner consent if you do not own the land.
What you’ll need
- At least 5 ha total (blocks at least 0.5 ha and 20 m wide)
- Latest WCPG forms
- Agent authority form if using an agent
How to apply
- Check eligibility with your Woodland Creation Officer
- Submit WCPG forms
- Start only after signing the Stage 1 agreement
Open all year. You cannot use it if you have already applied for EWCO on the same site. Page updated 11 February 2026.
Similar schemes
- Trees Outside Woodland Fund 2026/27 OpenThe Tree Council (with Defra) · Closes 31 October 2026Grants for trees and supporting items outside woodland, such as hedgerow trees, orchards and green spaces.
- Trees for your farm (agroforestry) OpenWoodland TrustFunded agroforestry with a farm visit and a tailored design for shelter, soil and water.
- England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) Open all yearForestry CommissionPays to plant new woodland, plus yearly maintenance and extra one-off payments for public benefits.
- MOREwoods Open all yearWoodland TrustSite visit, woodland design, trees and protection, and funding for new woodland of at least half a hectare.
- National Forest tree planting and habitat grants Open all yearNational Forest CompanyGrants and advice to plant woodland from 0.25 ha up to landscape scale, and to manage woodland and farmland habitats.
- Northern Forest - Trees for Climate Open all yearNorthern Forest partnership (Woodland Trust, Community Forest Trust and four community forests)Up to full funding and free advice for woodland, wood pasture, agroforestry and trees outside woods across the Northern Forest.
Checked against the official pages on 29 October 2026. Sources: 1. Always read the official page before you apply.