Converting Pastural Land to a Wood

ILikeBananas

Hi,

Something that I would like to do in the future is buy some agricultural land and plant it with native trees and flowers. I don't have any interest in building any property or harvesting the wood for lumber and would be quite happy to allow the land to take its own natural course.

1. Are there any legal issues with converting pastural land to wooded land?
2. Are there any EU grants for doing this kind of conversion?
3. Would there be a real risk of someone else cutting the trees illegally for lumber if they observed that the land was being "neglected"?

Birdnuts

ILikeBananas wrote: »

Hi,

Something that I would like to do in the future is buy some agricultural land and plant it with native trees and flowers. I don't have any interest in building any property or harvesting the wood for lumber and would be quite happy to allow the land to take its own natural course.

1. Are there any legal issues with converting pastural land to wooded land?
2. Are there any EU grants for doing this kind of conversion?
3. Would there be a real risk of someone else cutting the trees illegally for lumber if they observed that the land was being "neglected"?

1) No
2) Native woodland grant scheme lasts for 15-20years(AFAIK)
3)Haven't heard of that being a big issue elsewhere

grassroot1

Lots of posts like this on social media at the minute you can of course do what you like with the land.
Please remember it still has to be managed though.
Will you allow access?
What if someone has an accident?
How will you deal with invasive species?
What will you do if for instance it was corncrake habitat or yellowhammer are present do you still plant?
Trees are not always the answer but good luck with the project.

Donald Trump

grassroot1 wrote: »

Lots of posts like this on social media at the minute you can of course do what you like with the land.

Do you not have to get an afforestation licence for anything over a quarter of an acre? Something like that?



How long does that take, and how common would it be that they might be refused?

grassroot1

Donald Trump wrote: »

Do you not have to get an afforestation licence for anything over a quarter of an acre? Something like that?



How long does that take, and how common would it be that they might be refused?

I think thats only a declaration in local paper and sign up like PP

Donald Trump

grassroot1 wrote: »

I think thats only a declaration in local paper and sign up like PP

That as it may be, but the fact that you have to get it must mean that there is hypothetically the scenario where it might not be granted? That is what I would assume

forgottenhills

ILikeBananas wrote: »

Hi,

Something that I would like to do in the future is buy some agricultural land and plant it with native trees and flowers. I don't have any interest in building any property or harvesting the wood for lumber and would be quite happy to allow the land to take its own natural course.

1. Are there any legal issues with converting pastural land to wooded land?
2. Are there any EU grants for doing this kind of conversion?
3. Would there be a real risk of someone else cutting the trees illegally for lumber if they observed that the land was being "neglected"?

Sounds like a good project so best of luck!

Get some advice on fencing if for instance you want to exclude deer who might damage your young trees or flowers but still allow smaller animals to access in and out of your land.

Another poster mentioned accidents so investigate and obtain suitable insurance cover such as public liability to cover anyone you may have working on the land plus any trespassers.

lg123

Donald Trump wrote: »

That as it may be, but the fact that you have to get it must mean that there is hypothetically the scenario where it might not be granted? That is what I would assume

Having a look at the map, here's an example of a refusal: CN82398. Is there any way we can see the reasons for the refusal?

Yellow_Fern

ILikeBananas wrote: »

Hi,

Something that I would like to do in the future is buy some agricultural land and plant it with native trees and flowers. I don't have any interest in building any property or harvesting the wood for lumber and would be quite happy to allow the land to take its own natural course.

1. Are there any legal issues with converting pastural land to wooded land?
2. Are there any EU grants for doing this kind of conversion?
3. Would there be a real risk of someone else cutting the trees illegally for lumber if they observed that the land was being "neglected"?

Can happen with high quality ash timber

greencatkin

Hello

Did you do it? How did it work out?