This section of the website provides information on all the bidding rounds and grants under the Woodland Enterprise Grant as part of the RDPE Programme 2007 to 2013.
The Woodland Enterprise Grant (WEG) is a capital grants programme, (for grants £62,500 and below) funded under the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and is available to Forestry Micro-businesses. The grant funding is managed by Herefordshire Council in partnership with Heartwoods, which is managed by the Small Woods Association.
The grant aims to improve the economic value of forests and improve the overall performance of forestry enterprise by supporting the production and processing of primary forestry products e.g. woodfuel. The grant does not cover arboriculture.
Applications for WEG’s are currently being invited to support investments in the following areas:
Woodfuel chippers;
Specific forestry equipment e.g. Bespoke loaders, forwarders, trailers Roll on Roll off chip containers;
Distribution of forestry products e.g. chip blowers;
Firewood processing and packaging e.g. firewood and kindling processors;
Post felling wood processors e.g. small forwarders;
Primary product timber drying facilities e.g. kilns;
Chainsaws/other small scale equipment as part of a larger investment package; and
Low ground pressure equipment e.g. All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and horse logging equipment.
How do I apply for a Woodland Enterprise Grant?
First contact Heartwoods to register interest in the project.(please see contact details)
You will be asked to complete a Stage One application form to capture your details and understand if you are an eligible applicant under RDPE.
If you have not already done so, Heartwoods will also put you in touch with Business Link West Midlands who will help you assess any need for training or business advice.
Heartwoods will work with you to produce a Woodland Investment Plan for your business. The plan will identify if you have any specific skills, training or equipment needs to support your business. If you wish to apply for a grant you will need to contact the WEG team at Herefordshire Council
The WEG team will discuss your proposal and confirm that you and your project are eligible for RDPE funding.
If it looks as if you are eligible you will be invited to complete a full application and a Project Officer will arrange a visit to explain the process. You will also need to complete a State Aid declaration to let us know if you have received public funding over the last 3 years.
If planning permission is needed you will also need to secure this and/or listed building and other relevant consents (where this is a legal requirement) before submitting your full application.
How do I find out more?
More information is available by contacting Advantage West Midlands or Herefordshire Council through the details shown below.
Rural Development Programme for England Business Support is part of Solutions for Business, the Government's package of publicity funded business support delivered to help companies start and grow. More information on Solutions for Business is available here.