Projects sought to create and restore woodland along HS2

The HS2 Woodland Fund has reopened for applications, supporting projects that create and restore woodland along the High Speed Two (HS2) Phase One route

The HS2 Woodland Fund has reopened to new applications, with £3.25m available to support woodland creation and the restoration of plantations of ancient woodland sites (PAWS).

First launched in November 2017 and managed by the Forestry Commission on behalf of HS2 Ltd, the fund is available for landowners located up to 25 miles from phase one of the route from London to the West Midlands.

The Woodland Creation aspect of the fund will now be available under the Forestry Commission’s England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO). Funding for the restoration of PAWS will remain as a standalone offer and will be open to applications over the next two years. Applications will be assessed four times per year, with the first deadline on 30 June 2023.

Sir William Worsley, Forestry Commission Chair, said: “We must ensure that woodlands and habitats impacted by HS2 are effectively restored and protected.

“By facilitating the creation of new woodland, and bringing new life to ancient woodlands, the HS2 Woodland Fund will continue to be instrumental in ensuring that any loss from the project is sufficiently compensated for.”

“The HS2 Woodland Fund, a component of our extensive Green Corridor environmental programme, is designed to help landowners near to the HS2 route create new native, broadleaved woodlands and restore existing ancient woodland sites,” added HS2’s Biodiversity Lead David Prys-Jones.

“This forms part of HS2’s wider strategy to create a network of bigger, betterconnected, climate resilient habitats and new green spaces for people and wildlife to enjoy.”

Eligible landowners considering applying to this round of the HS2 Woodland Fund are encouraged to discuss their plans with the Forestry Commission.

• The HS2 Woodland Fund reopened in May 2023 and has been extended for two years, up until March 2025.

• Applications must be submitted by 30 June 2023, to plant trees in the 2023/24 planting season.

• Decisions will be communicated by end of October 2023, giving proposals the best chance to be implemented during winter 23/24.

• PAWS been extended for two years, up until March 2025.