Uk Forestry Commission

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.

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

The Forestry Commission has published transparency data for expenditures exceeding £25,000 for January and February 2026. CSV files are available for the Forestry Commission, Forestry England, and Forest Research entities covering the reporting periods. The data is published as part of the UK government's commitment to public sector transparency.

Landowner Ordered to Pay Record £268,751 Fine for Illegal Tree Felling

Leicestershire landowner Motor Fuel Ltd was ordered to pay £268,751 after pleading guilty to failing to comply with an Enforcement Notice for illegal tree felling of mixed broadleaf woodland in 2019. Leicester Magistrates' Court imposed a fine of £266,666 plus £2,085 in costs and surcharge, payable within 28 days, alongside a 10-year Restocking Order requiring maintained replanting.

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.

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.