Uk Forestry Commission

Forestry Commission Q1 2026 Prompt Payment Performance Data

The Forestry Commission published its Q1 2026 prompt payment performance data covering January to March 2026, showing the percentage of invoices paid within 5 days and within 30 days of receipt for Forestry Commission, Forestry England, and Forest Research. The transparency data was published on 22 April 2026 on GOV.UK and applies to England.

Record £268,751 Fine for Illegal Tree Felling

Leicestershire landowner Motor Fuel Ltd was sentenced at Leicester Magistrates' Court on 28 January 2026 to pay £268,751 after pleading guilty to failing to comply with an Enforcement Notice served following unlawful felling of mixed broadleaf woodland beside a petrol station in 2019. The trees were felled as a pre-emptive action for a future development proposal to extend the premises. This is the highest ever fine imposed for illegal tree felling by a court in England. The court also ordered Motor Fuel Ltd to maintain the replanted trees for 10 years under a Restocking Order.

Transparency Data: Spend Over £25,000 (January-February 2026)

The Forestry Commission has published its expenditure transparency data for January and February 2026, covering all invoices over £25,000 across three entities: Forestry Commission, Forestry England, and Forest Research. The data is available as CSV files for each month and organization. February 2026 reports were added on 15 April 2026, with the original publication dated 24 February 2026. This transparency initiative applies to England only.

Spruce Site Assessment Grant Reopens for England Landowners 2026/27

The Forestry Commission has amended guidance for the Spruce Site Assessment (SSA) grant following the program's reopening for 2026/27. The SSA grant supports landowners and land managers in England with spruce trees in the Ips typographus Proactive Spruce Removal Area. Updated terms and conditions and revised application guidance have been published.

Non-compliant Wood Packaging Material Interception Guidance

The Forestry Commission published an infographic illustrating the top GB ports where non-compliant solid wood packaging material has been intercepted, covering the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. The infographic identifies associated international trading supply regions linked to non-compliant interceptions. This guidance updates previously published infographics covering 2022 to 2024 periods.

Woodland Creation Planning Grant Application Forms for England

The Forestry Commission has published updated application forms for the Woodland Creation Planning Grant (WCPG) programme in England. The forms include an application and plan spreadsheet, declaration form, supplementary payment application form, and terms and conditions. Applicants must use these documents to apply for funding to support production of UK Forestry Standard compliant woodland creation plans.