Forestry Commission
You can apply for funding to support native woodland creation or the restoration of Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) within a 25-mile zone surrounding the HS2 Phase One route between London and the West Midlands.
See the
The HS2 Woodland Fund (HS2WF) opened on a first come, first served basis in February 2018, with an initial budget of 1 million. A further 4 million budget is now available to be allocated to projects until 2024/25.
Woodland Creation
From May 2023 HS2 funding for woodland creation will be delivered via the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO). The England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) opened in June 2021. For more information on EWCO read our EWCO guide.
Applications to EWCO within the 25-mile zone of the HS2 Phase One route will be identified and administered by the Forestry Commission; those applications that are planting native woodland will be earmarked to receive funding from HS2 Ltd. HS2 Ltd will cover the costs of all capital items for tree planting and maintenance works, whilst EWCO will fund any additional contributions such as payments for nature recovery, riparian buffering and flood risk reduction. Applicants will be notified through their EWCO agreement offer and will have the option to opt out of receiving funding from HS2 Ltd if desired.
Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS)
The HS2 Woodland Fund continues to accept PAWS restoration applications. The HS2 Woodland Fund is open year-round, but PAWS restoration applications are assessed 4 times per year. View the assessment deadlines for PAWs applications 2023/24 .
Applications received in each application cycle will be ranked based on their score and will be provisionally allocated funding based on budget availability. Where there is sufficient budget to fund all applications received in each application cycle all eligible applications will progress.
For more information read our leaflet,Creating and restoring woodland: HS2 Woodland Fund.
Case study
How to apply for HS2WF PAWS restoration step by step
To apply for a grant under HS2WF PAWS restoration you will need to follow these steps:
Read the grant manual and terms and conditions on the Application form page to find out if youre eligible, if necessary, seek initial advice from your local Woodland Officer.
Prepare a UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) compliant, FC-approved Woodland Management Plan (WMP), this must be in place before an agreement is offered. The WMP must have been approved in principle by the Woodland Officer before the application is submitted. You will also need to secure a felling licence.
Complete the application form, annex and Woodland Condition Assessment on the application form page (support is available from an FC Woodland Officer), submit this along with accompanying maps and supporting information to hs2woodlandfund@forestrycommisson.gov.uk noting the quarterly application deadlines.
Once your agreement is approved and you have completed the work submit your claim for payment by 31 March in the year that the planting work is scheduled to be completed (as set out in the Agreement document).
Find out if you are eligible
Woodland Creation
Your land should be inside the 25-mile zone surrounding the HS2 Phase One route and you need to be planting native woodland via the Nature Recovery Additional Contribution.
Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) restoration
Your land should be inside the 25-mile zone surrounding the HS2 Phase One route. If your land falls just outside this zone but you make a proposal of outstanding quality, you may be considered for funding at the discretion of the Forestry Commission and the HS2 Woodland Fund Review Panel.
When applying for PAWS restoration, you must have a Woodland Management Plan approved in principle by the Forestry Commission, and no grant offer will be made until a Woodland Management Plan and all associated Felling Licences have been formally approved by the Forestry Commission.
Full eligibility criteria
For full eligibility criteria, see the HS2 Woodland Fund grant manual on the application form page.
Biosecure Procurement
The Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot has been extended to include the HS2 Woodland Fund to address risks to our biosecurity.
From 1 July 2023 onward applicants for the HS2 Woodland Fund must commit to sourcing their trees from suppliers who are either certified under the Plant Healthy Certification Scheme(or have applied to become certified) or who have passed aReady to Plant assessment provided by Fera Science Ltd.Further information is available in the grant manual, failure to adhere to the procurement requirement may result in a reduction in the payment of your claim.
This requirement helps to combat the threats posed by pests and diseases, as well as strengthening our biosecurity and serving our long-term vision for our trees and woodlands. Find information and support on how to comply in our guide: Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot for Plants and Trees.
How it works
Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) restoration
The HS2 Woodland Fund is open year-round but PAWS restoration applications will be assessed four times per year, it takes up to five months from receiving a valid and complete application to an agreement being offered. You will have one planting season available to complete your project.
A UKFS-compliant, FC-approved Woodland Management Plan (WMP) must be in place before an agreement is offered. The WMP must have been approved in principle by the Woodland Officer before the application is submitted. All felling permissions must be in place before an agreement is offered.
The application process for PAWS restoration also includes the completion of a Woodland Condition Assessment (form and guidance available on the