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Short Rotation Coppice Crops of Willow or Poplar
This funding option is designed to encourage Scottish farmers to establish short rotation coppice crops, through the planting of willow or poplar, as a farm diversification option that has the economic potential to take advantage of any emerging local woodfuel markets and renewable energy projects.
WHAT CAN I GET SUPPORT FOR?
Under this funding option applicants can apply for support to plant and establish tree crops of willow or poplar, to be subsequently managed as short rotation coppice on a 2 to 5-year cropping cycle. There are however some eligibility criteria that your project must meet (in addition to meeting the Regional Priorities set for your area) which include:
- The minimum eligible block of tree planting is 2 hectares.
- At least 10,000 willow or poplar cuttings per hectare must be established and maintained for a period of at least 5 years.
- Proposals must demonstrate that they have established an end use for the produce, e.g. evidence of a supply contract, and that the produce will be used to develop a fuel supply for renewable energy products.
- All tree planting proposals must comply with the requirements of The UK Forestry Standards.
- If your proposals falls above certain minimum-size thresholds and are likely to have a significant effect on the environment, an application for consent under The Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry)(Scotland) Regulations 1999 may be required.
- Local authorities and other statutory organisations will be consulted about all proposals.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Only owners or occupiers of agricultural land can apply for support under this option.
WHAT SUPPORT CAN I GET?
Under this funding option support is based on the total costs incurred in establishing the trees as short rotation coppice. The payment rate will be at 50% of the actual costs (based on receipted invoices) in Less Favoured Areas (LFA) and 40% of the actual costs (based on receipted invoices) in no-LFA. A maximum establishment cost of £1,540 per hectare has been set meaning the maximum support payment will be £770/ ha in LFAs and £616/ ha in non-LFAs.
REGIONAL PRIORITIES?
Applicants are reminded that they must demonstrate how their proposal will help deliver the desired outcomes set out at local level as expressed in the Regional Priorities (clickable map). As such it is recommended that applicants discuss their proposal with their local consultant at an early stage.