Reports

Land devaluation and red tape put owners off planting new woodland

Results of a survey of members reveals support for woodland creation is tempered by concerns over availability of suitable land, loss of land value resulting from change of use to woodland and accessibility of long term grants to support capital investment and maintenance.

By Wendy Necar · June 3, 2020

Landowners and managers report they are poised ready to plant many more trees – but the government’s hopes for widespread woodland creation risks being derailed unless three key concerns around change of land use and excessive red tape can be addressed.

Results of a survey of members’ views and experiences of woodland creation by the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) released today (3 June) reveal support for woodland creation is tempered by concerns over availability of suitable land, loss of land value resulting from change of use to woodland and accessibility of long term grants to support capital investment and maintenance. Woodland creation is a permanent land use change under the UK Forestry Act 1967.

Simon Lloyd, RFS Chief Executive, says: “There is widespread interest in woodland creation among land managers, but a prerequisite for most is a financial case that recognises the risk and uncertainty in taking an irreversible decision, the reduction in the value of land when converting agricultural land to woodland.

“The survey records widespread concerns about the complexity, cost and timing of grant processes. The government risks putting off private land owners from potential woodland creation unless administrative processes are greatly simplified and grant timescales aligned with forestry timescales to recognise not just the costs of planting but the long-term nature of management.”

Interest in creating new woodland has increased. Whereas just 23% of nearly 700 survey respondents had created new woodland in the past two years, 42% are planning to do so in the next five years. Of those not planning any new woodland the main reason cited (55%) was a lack of suitable land. For those hoping to plant new woodland in the next five years 61% ranked ‘financial returns’ and 56% ranked ‘land devaluation’ as ‘important’ or ‘very important’ factors in their planning.

Other findings from the report show ongoing concern about the availability of skilled contractors to deliver and maintain new woodland and a lack of flexibility in the choice of species land managers can use to build climate adapted woodland for the future.

The RFS is the largest and longest established education charity promoting the wise management of woods in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its survey of members received nearly 700 responses with more than 84% of those from woodland owners and forest managers.