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Woodland Creation application guidance

This revised guidance, first published in July 2026, outlines principles and process you should follow when considering woodland creation.

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Getting started

This section provides a step by step guide to help applicants prepare woodland creation proposals.

Applicants are encouraged to provide concise descriptions with a clear rationale for management decisions. Good use of tables and maps will reduce the need for long text explanations.

Where possible, applicants should use the templates provided, which will enable individual elements of plans to be assessed by Scottish Forestry and consultees.

The level of detail required will depend on the size and complexity of proposals. Some of the stages below may not be applicable in all cases.

If in any doubt it is recommended practice to agree what is required with the local Scottish Forestry woodland officer.

Contact your local Scottish Forestry office

Overview - proposals intending to apply for grant funding

Proposals requiring EIA screening or 10+ hectares

Applicants are required to follow steps 1.1 (prepare initial proposal) and 1.2. (due diligence).

when step 1.2 (due diligence) has been completed, the proposal can be submitted to us for review and public consultation
we will assess the proposal to ensure that all relevant issues arising during the due diligence phase have been addressed
the proposal will then be subject to at least a 4 week formal consultation exercise (Stage 3)
we may require applicants to address any further relevant issues or comments that are raised through the Public Register consultation
when all issues have been addressed and the design finalised we will complete their assessment (including an EIA Screening Opinion if required)

Important

After any EIA screening opinion and UKFS assessment have been provided, applicants can apply for grant funding for their woodland creation proposal.

In exceptional circumstances and only for natural regeneration proposals, we may allow a grant application before step 1.2 (due diligence) has been completed.

However, this must be agreed with Scottish Forestry prior to starting due diligence.

Proposals not requiring EIA Screening and less than 10 hectares

Applicants are able to apply directly for grant funding without undertaking steps 1.1 and 1.2 however, proportionate due diligence will be expected to have been undertaken and this must be clearly detailed in the application.

We will assess the proposal to ensure that all relevant issues arising during the due diligence phase have been addressed.

The proposal will then be subject to at least a 4 week formal consultation exercise (Stage 3).

We may require applicants to address any further relevant issues or comments that are raised through the Public Register consultation.

When all issues have been addressed and the design finalised we will complete their assessment.

Important - due diligence

It is recommended that applicants agree what proportionate due diligence is required with us prior to progressing such proposals.

In some circumstances, such as in sensitive areas (for example in National Parks or National Scenic areas) and in areas where there has been significant recent woodland creation, smaller woodland creation proposal are likely to require EIA screening.

Forestry Environmental Impact Assessment

In such cases applicants must complete Stages 1, 2 ,3 and 4 , prior to applying for grant funding.

Overview – proposals not intending to seek grant funding

Proposals for afforestation not applying for grant funding but requiring a screening opinion under the Forestry (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 are expected to follow step 1.1 (prepare initial proposal) and 1.2 (due diligence).

The Forestry (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (legislation.gov.uk)

When such proposals have sufficient information, the applicant can complete stage 2.2 to request an EIA screening opinion.

The level of detail required will depend on the sensitivity of the proposals.

Overview – proposals with complex environmental considerations

In the case of large, complex or particularly sensitive proposals we may decide at an early stage in the process, that EIA consent will be required.

Where this occurs ahead of significant due diligence, the applicant will be advised to submit an EIA screening opinion request so that the EIA consent process can be followed (see Stage 3).