Guidance

Felling Licence Online: quick guide (accessible version)

Updated 1 November 2024

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

Use this guide for Felling Licence Online applications.

New user registration

Log in with your email and password or register for a new account:

Step 1: click Need access? Register here.

        The “Create new account” page opens.

Step 2: complete all fields marked with an asterisk *.

Step 3: select an account type Agent or Owner.

Agent: an agent submits felling licence applications on behalf of an owner or tenant. Agents will be able to create properties and owner profiles subject to a signed Agent Authority Form.

Owner: you own the land or are a tenant, and do not use an agent.

Step 4: read the terms and conditions of use, and the privacy policy. Once you’ve read them and are happy to proceed, tick both boxes.

Step 5: once you’ve checked your details, click Create New Account.

        The “Home” page opens and you will receive an email confirming your registration.

Adding a property profile

Agents: you must complete steps 1, 2 and 3 before you add a property.

Owners: go straight to step 4: add a property.

Step 1: click Manage Owners from the left menu. Click add managed owner.

Enter the owner’s details, complete all mandatory fields marked with an asterisk *.

Step 2: click Choose File to upload a signed Forestry Commission Agent Authority Form.

Step 3: click save. You will return to the “Home” page. You should see that an owner record has been added in the top left of the screen.

Step 4: click Add Property from the left menu. The “Create Property” page will open.

Agent’s “Create property” page

In the Managed Owner section, start typing the owner’s name. A list will appear. Select the owner from the list.

Step 5: complete all the fields marked with an asterisk *. Click save.

        You have now created a property record. A map will appear.

        You can now add a compartment.

Add compartment(s) to a property

There are 3 ways to add compartments to a property:

• add compartment(s) manually go to Step 1
• import a CSV file and manually draw compartment(s): click import
• import shapefile: click import

Step 1: click +add compartment under the property you created.

Step 2: complete the Add compartment fields. If possible, use a numbering format for the compartments, such as 1, 2, 3 and 1a, 1b, etc.

Total Ha: you do not need to complete the Total Ha field. This will populate automatically when you draw the compartment polygon.

Designations: these are, for example, sites of special scientific interest (SSSI), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) etc.

Step 3: click save. The “Compartment” screen will appear.

        Hover your curser over the square icons around the map to reveal their functions.

Step 4: click on the icon for Zoom to Coordinates on the right of the map.

Step 5: enter the OS Grid reference (6 digit number) or Place Name. Click go.

        The map viewer will zoom to the location. Use the zoom +/- tool if needed.

        Use the mouse to move the map: hold left click and drag.

Step 6: Find the Draw a polygon icon at the top of the map. Click to plot points on the map.

Double click to confirm area.

Click save.

        To add another compartment: start from step 1.

Editing the polygon

Click the Edit features icon. A blue line will appear around the compartment polygon.

Drag the lines and corners to your compartment area.

To delete the compartment click on the dustbin icon.

Total hectares (Ha)

The Total Ha changes as you change the size and shape of the compartment.

Ensure all your compartments for this licence are mapped before moving to the next step.

Submit your application

Step 1: click the Application icon from the left menu.

Step 2: click +Add.

        The Property tab will open.

Agents: start typing the name of the Owner. Select the owner from the list.

You will also need to add the name of the person completing the felling application.

Property tab

Step 3: start typing the Property name. Select the property from the list.

Click save or next.

Operations tab

Step 4: select the Operations tab. Add any additional notes in General FLA notes.

Click save.

General FLA notes

Provide any additional information relating to the application, such as percentage of each species etc.

If you require a felling licence urgently to prevent the spread of a pest or disease and/or mitigate a public safety issue, you must provide further details here. You will need to upload any supporting evidence in the Shared Application Documents tab. See step 10.

Step 5: enter the estimated start and completion dates for the proposed felling.

Step 6: scroll down to the map under Felling details. Click the compartment area.

        The Create Felling Detail box will open.

Step 7: complete all fields marked with an asterisk *. Area to be felled is auto- populated. Enter species by typing the name and selecting from the list.

Click save.

Operation type: to add more than one ‘felling operation type’ to a compartment, repeat Step 6 after saving.

Each of your ‘felling operation types’ will be added to the Felling Details section. You can edit or delete these.

Step 8: choose one of the following:

• if you’re application is for thinning only. Click next and done. Go to step 10
• for other applications, with operation types other than thinning, click next and go to step 9

Restocking tab

Step 9: scroll down to the map. Click the compartment area.

        The Create Restocking Detail box will open.

Complete all fields marked with an asterisk *. Repeat for each restocking compartment.

Click save.

Do not complete this step if your application is for thinning only.

Shared Application Documents tab

Step 10: to add additional documents, such as Supplement Notice Operations, click Upload Application Document.

Click Choose File and save.

        Click More Information for acceptable file sizes and types.

When your file has been uploaded successfully click done.

Step 11: an Apply section will appear with 5 new icons.

        To review or edit your application, click the pencil icon .

When you’re ready, click the Submit icon.

Once your application is submitted you can not make any changes. Unless it is returned to you by the Admin Hub or Woodland Officer.

Step 12: the Terms and conditions box will appear. Read and click Submit if accepted.

Step 13: You’ll get an email confirming your application and reference number.

The email will give you the contact details of the Admin Hub dealing with your application.

Felling application approval

Once we have approved your licence you’ll get an email confirming your licence has been approved.

Log in to Felling Licence Online to view and download the approved licence.

From the Home screen, find your approved licence under My Applications.

Click on the document icon next to the reference number.

You can use the envelope icon to email a ‘one-time only’ link of an approved felling licence.

The Admin Officer processing your application will email you with any supporting information such as a European Protected Species (EPS) checklist, statutory consultee responses or your approved woodland management plan.

Contact us and further resources

For system support you can email: fellinglicenceonline@forestrycommission.gov.uk.

Read more about tree felling and when to apply.