Complete your application form, maps and annexes
This section tells you how to fill in your Countryside Stewardship Woodland Management Plan Application form, maps and annexes.
Complete your application form on paper or electronically, as described above.
Prepare a map to accompany your application
You must provide map(s) showing the full area of the woodland you are including in your proposed Woodland Management Plan and send this with your Woodland Management Plan grant application. The map needs to be clear, readable and meet the standards set out below.
We suggest you complete the annex and your map(s) alongside each other. This means you can add your capital item in the annex then immediately mark it on the map as you go along.
How to create a map
You can create the map associated with a Woodland Management Plan application yourself, as long as it meets the standards set out below, or you can request one through the Forestry Commission map request service.
Maps you supply should be based on ordnance survey (OS) maps and/or Geographical Information System (GIS) generated digital maps. Maps should be based on a scale of 1:2500 or 1:5000 or for large schemes 1:10000. If you are using a GIS based map at a non-standard scale, add a scale bar to the map so that this can be used to measure lengths.
You should mark the land parcel references and the SBI clearly on the map.
If you’re sending your supporting documents to us by email, send us your map as a PDF file.
Minimum mapping standards
If you create your own agreement map, or are marking up a map you’ve received from the Forestry Commission map request service, you must make sure they meet the following rules:
- The map(s) must show whole land parcels with land parcel references and a clear boundary for the extent of the Woodland Management Plan
- The map(s) must have a number (1, 2, 3, and so on). Include this map number and also the total number of maps, for example, 1 of 3
- Write your Single Business Identifier (SBI) – consisting of 9 digits, the application year and agreement title (as detailed on the application form) on the top right of the map
- Write the name of business or applicant – this should be the name that is registered with us for the SBI, on the right-hand side of the map
- If there are no numbered OS grid lines, write a 6 figure OS grid reference for the centre of the map on the bottom left of the map
- Please use black ink when you write on the Agreement Map. If you make a mistake do not use correction fluid - strike through the mistake instead.
The Woodland Management Plan annex has been designed to capture all the information needed to complete your Woodland Management Plan application. Please fill in this annex with as much detail as you can.
Email ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk (or call 03000 200 301) to get a copy of the annex. This is available in electronic or paper format.
You must begin with the ‘START HERE’ tab, then complete Annex A and then Annex B. This order is important because the information you enter pre-populates the other annexes where relevant, to save you time.
If you can, you should fill in the Woodland Management Plan Annex electronically so that your Forestry Commission Woodland Officer has access to your self-calculating document.
If you’re completing a paper annex, it does not contain any pre-populated information, so you need to write all the information into it.
START HERE worksheet
Start your application by completing this worksheet. The information carries through to the other annexes as you complete them, so this information must be accurate. Enter all information in the yellow cells.
Name of lead applicant
Enter the lead applicant’s full name. This must match a named applicant on the application form.
This information carries through into Annexes A and B as you complete them unless you are using a paper form.
Single Business Identifier
Enter the application SBI. This must match the application form.
This information carries through into Annexes A and B as you complete them unless you are using a paper form.
Name of Woodland
Enter the name you want the woodland to be known by (maximum 20 characters).
Which Forestry Commission area team will be advising you?
Click into the box in this column, then click the small dropdown arrow that appears. Then select the Forestry Commission area team who cover the area where your woodland is located.
Use the Forestry Commission Area and Woodland Officer boundaries map on GOV.UK to check which team to select. Search for ‘Forestry Commission area offices’ on GOV.UK.
What is the grid reference of the centre of your woodland?
Enter the six figure grid reference of the centre of your woodland.
Do you intend to apply for a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier Agreement following the approval of the plan?
Confirm either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.
Annex A: Land summary
Use this annex to list all the land parcels being used in your application. Only include the land parcels being used in your woodland management plan application, not all the land parcels linked to your SBI.
Complete Annex A in full with all relevant land parcels before you complete Annex B.
Name of lead applicant/SBI
This pre-populates when you enter the information in the ‘START HERE’ tab unless you are using a paper form.
You cannot edit this cell.
ID
This ID number is generated automatically and carries through from Annex A to Annex B.
You cannot edit this cell.
OS Map Sheet ref/National Grid no.
Enter the land parcel reference number from the Rural Payments service for each land parcel in the format LP1234 5678. Do not enter the grid reference number.
IMPORTANT: You must leave the space in the land parcel number, or an error message will appear. You need to check you’ve included the space if you copy and paste land parcel numbers into the annex.
You can only enter one land parcel number on each line. Only include land parcels being used in your Woodland Management Plan application and only enter each land parcel once in this annex.
Is this parcel registered on the Rural Payments service?
Confirm whether the land parcel is registered in the Rural Payments service. Click into the box in this column, then click the small dropdown arrow that appears. Then confirm either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Sign in to the Rural Payments service on GOV.UK and search for ‘make or update a rural payments claim’.
Parcels that are not registered in the Rural Payments service cannot be included in a Countryside Stewardship agreement.
Annex B: Area & Grant Amount
Use this annex to declare the area of woodland included in your application and to calculate the area eligible for financial support. Only include the land parcels that you use in your Woodland Management Plan application, not all the land parcels linked to your SBI.
Complete this part of the annex in full with all relevant land parcels before you complete the rest of the annex.
Name of lead applicant/SBI
These pre-populate when you enter this information in the ‘START HERE’ tab.
You cannot edit this cell.
Total area of woodland in your application (ha)
Enter the total area (in hectares) of woodland you want to include in the Woodland Management Plan you are applying for. The total area must be larger than 3ha.
Total area of newly planted woodland under 10 years old in your application (ha)
Enter the total area (in hectares) of any newly planted woodland under 10 years old you want to include in the Woodland Management Plan you are applying for.
This area should not include natural regeneration.
% of total woodland in your application under 10 years old
This calculates automatically using the information you entered in Annex A.
You cannot edit this cell.
Total area of woodland eligible for payment (ha)
This pre-populates from the information you entered in previous annexes. It calculates the total area of your woodland eligible for payment, based on the fact that only up to 20% of the funded area can be comprised of newly planted woodland under 10 years old.
You cannot edit this cell.
Total grant amount
This is the total value, based on the areas given. The minimum payment is £1000.
You cannot edit this cell.
Q1. Is there an existing FC-approved Woodland Management Plan on any of the woodland in this application?
Confirm whether there is an existing FC approved Woodland Management Plan on any of the woodland in your application. Click into the box in this column, then click the small dropdown arrow that appears. Then confirm either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.
Q2. Is all of the woodland on your holding included in this application?
Confirm whether all the woodland on your holding is included in this application. Click into the box in this column, then click the small dropdown arrow that appears. Then confirm either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Your answer must be ‘Yes’ for your application to be eligible.
Q3. Are these the only woodlands that are owned under this SBI?
Confirm whether the woodlands included in this application are the only woodlands linked to this SBI. Click into the box in this column, then click the small dropdown arrow that appears. Then confirm either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.
Q4. If you have answered ‘NO’ to question 3, do you plan on applying for Countryside Stewardship support for a Woodland Management Plan on any of these other woodlands?
Confirm whether you plan on applying for support through Countryside Stewardship for another Woodland Management Plan on any of these woodlands. Click into the box in this column, then click the small dropdown arrow that appears. Then confirm either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.
Fill in Section 2: Declaration and undertakings to confirm that you have read and understood the requirements of the CS scheme and the undertakings that you are making in submitting your application.
Read the declaration, undertakings and warning carefully.
If you are submitting your application by post, sign Section 2 and enter your name in block letters, your capacity (for example sole trader, company director, agent and so on) and the date of your signature.
If you are submitting your application online, you do not need to sign the declaration.
Use the checklist below to make sure that you have completed your application in full and attached any required supporting documents and evidence including maps, photographs, briefs, specifications or consents before sending it to us.
Make sure that:
- you have completed all relevant Parts of the application form, including signing and dating Section 2
- all your land and business details are up to date and correct on Rural Payments
- you have arranged for ‘Submit’ permissions in Rural Payments, if you’re acting as an agent
- you have completed map(s) showing the land parcels in this application. Go to Step 2 for details on how to do this
- you have attached any applicable supporting documents or evidence
- you have attached any continuation sheets you’ve used in your application.
For the capital item descriptions, search Countryside Stewardship grants on GOV.UK. You can also read Countryside Stewardship: Record keeping and inspection requirements on GOV.UK.
By email
Send us all parts of the completed form, together with maps and other supporting documents and remember to include the Annex with your application.
A signature is not needed if you send your application by email.
Email your application and supporting documents to us at: ruralpayments@defra.gov.uk and put ‘Countryside Stewardship, Woodland Management Plan grant application, 2021, [SBI] as the title.
You must also put your SBI in your email and check they’re on everything you send to us.
You’ll receive an automated email to confirm we have received your application. Check your spam mailbox if you don’t receive this.
By post
If you prefer, you can post them to us at our address in the ‘Important information about your application’ document attached to your application form. Put your SBI on everything you send to us.
If you are sending the form to us by post you must sign your application and any supporting forms.
For any documents you send us by post, we recommend that you get proof of postage. You’re advised to keep a copy of your completed application form and maps.