Support for Forestry Businesses from FC England
Forestry Commission England are promoting free support forestry businesses in relation to new grants within the new Rural Development Programme, set to start in 2015.
Details of future schemes are yet to be decided or announced but if arrangements are similar to the last programme, those areas that would be of most obvious interest for grant support might include kit (timber harvesting, extraction and primary processing equipment), but potentially also storage, tracks and hard standing, specialist timber and woodfuel haulage, venison processing, training, business support, and advisory services.
Capital grants might also be available for schemes which demonstrate economic growth through such areas as resource management, soil, air and water quality improvement and adding value through supply chain development.
The Forestry Commission is offering free support to forestry businesses with an idea to expand their business but which struggle to pull the necessary paperwork together. This support, provided by a consortium of forestry initiatives and specialists throughout England, who will help with business planning, financial forecasting, legal agreements, identifying the right technical solutions and the best fit grant.
Experience from previous rounds of these European Rural Development Grants shows that it will be important for forestry businesses to have good quality “oven ready” applications in time for the official opening.
FCE are encouraging businesses to register their interest in the support as soon as possible. Please choose from the appropriate regional contact below
- East England: Corinne Meakins corinne.meakins@forestry.gsi.gov.uk 01842 819089
- East Midlands: David Bole david.bole@forestry.gsi.gov.uk 07712 750549
- South East: Matthew Woodcock matthew.woodcock@forestry.gsi.gov.uk 01483 326210
- South West: Mark Prior mark.prior@forestry.gsi.gov.uk 01392 834260
- West Midlands: Simon West simon.west@forestry.gsi.gov.uk 01905 532212
- North West: Penny Oliver penny.oliver@forestry.gsi.gov.uk 01524 565805
- Yorkshire & the North East richard.pow@forestry.gsi.gov.uk 07831 216024
