Forestry Commission woodfuel objectives and activities in south east England

Matthew WoodcockProgrammes Manager

25 September 20092

Woodland cover

Total Woodland Area > 270,000 ha (14%)Total Ancient Woodland > 131,000 ha(nearly half the woodlands of the SE and > 1/3rd of England’s ancient woodland)ASNW: 87,000 ha, PAWS: 44,000 ha

25 September 20093

Protected Landscapes and the Public Forest Estate

• Public Forest Estate > 35,000 ha • Produce 166,000m3 wood per year

25 September 20094

ETWF Delivery Plan aims:

• Sustainable Resource:• To provide a resource of trees, woods and forests in places where they can

contribute most in terms of environmental, economic and social benefits now and for future generations

• Climate Change:• To ensure existing and newly planted trees, woods and forests are resilient to climate

change and also contribute to the way in which biodiversity and natural resources adjust to a changing climate

• Natural Environment:• To protect and enhance the environmental resources of water, soil, air, biodiversity

and landscapes (both woodland and non-woodland) and the cultural and amenity values of trees and woodland.

• Quality of Life:• To increase the contribution that trees, woods and forests make to the quality of life

of those, living in, working in or visiting England

• Business and Markets:• To improve the competitiveness of woodland businesses and promote the

development of new or improved markets for sustainable woodland products and ecosystem services where this will deliver identifiable public benefits, nationally or locally, including the reduction of carbon emissions

25 September 20095

Great Higham FarmConverted to holiday

accommodation and heat provided by woodfuelled district

heating system

Torry Hill Estate

Former buildings converted into holiday lets, swimming pool built and all linked to district

heating system

Boiler ‘house’ located for ease of

fuel delivery

350kW boiler with buffer tank to balance

load and programmable

computer control

Fuel store located for ease of access; plenty of space adjacent to stack wood for

drying and then chip directly into the hopper = minimises

handling and maximises efficiency

25 September 20096

Forestry Commission delivery mechanisms

• Grants: English Woodland Grant Scheme

• Regulations: Felling & EIA Regulations

• Advice: via Woodland Officers

• Outreach: information, education, etc

• Public Forest Estate

• Market development

25 September 20097

Targeted Grants

Major areas of interest:

• Woodland Planning Grant

• Woodland Improvement Grant to improve management access

• Woodland Creation Grant

• Woodland Regeneration Grant

• Value for money

25 September 20098

Learning from the experience gained in Finland and Austria

Learning from others

25 September 20099

‘Wood: Energy that grows on trees’South East England Pilot

South Downs National Park

Kent Downs AONB

Interventions:• Developing Markets:

• Exemplars;• M & E Capacity;• Woodheat Esco’s;• Installer capacity;

• Supply chain:• Extend WO role;• Optimise grants;• Explore role of PFE and staff;

• Communications:• The rural sector;• The general public.