Apply for the England Woodland Creation Offer
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-05)

Apply for funding to create woodland under the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO).

The EWCO pages have been re-designed to improve clarity and navigation.

The EWCO grant manual has been removed. The manual content is now available across GOV.UK webpages. Use the EWCO collection page (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/get-england-woodland-creation-offer-funding-to-plant-woodland) to find information for each stage of the EWCO application process.

There are no significant changes to the current EWCO eligibility, rules or processes. Minor changes are highlighted on this page’s update section.

Follow these steps to apply for EWCO.

1. Read the how to apply guidance

Read the guidance on how to apply for EWCO (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-the-england-woodland-creation-offer/guidance-on-how-to-apply-for-ewco) to understand what you need to include with your application. You will need to:

plan your woodland

get consents, approvals and permissions in place

prepare a map

2. Download and complete the application forms

You must complete the following forms:

EWCO application form

EWCO declaration form

EWCO declaration form: countersign sheet (if additional parties need to counter sign the application)

3. Download and complete optional forms

You may also need to submit additional forms, where applicable:

EWCO natural colonisation initial site assessment form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-colonisation-site-assessment-england-woodland-creation-offer): one form for each individual area you intend to use natural colonisation as a method of woodland creation

EWCO common land and shared grazing supplementary form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/common-land-and-shared-grazing-england-woodland-creation-offer): if the land in your application is common land or an area of shared grazing

EWCO public access non-spatial eligibility form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-access-non-spatial-eligibility-england-woodland-creation-offer): for proposing eligibility for the public access additional contribution where your scheme is outside of the ‘NfC Social’ GIS spatial targeting layer

EWCO biosecure procurement requirement exception form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/biosecure-procurement-requirement-exception-form): if you’re not purchasing your trees from a commercial supplier, apply for an exception to the Biosecure Procurement Requirement

4. Send your completed application

Email your completed forms to: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Alternatively, you can send a paper copy of the forms to:

England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)Forestry Commission National Office620 Bristol Business ParkColdharbour LaneBristolBS16 1EJ

Tips on completing the EWCO application form

There are instructions for completing sections in the form at the top of each worksheet. Read the instructions before scrolling down to complete the required fields in each worksheet.

If you’re using MS Excel, all mandatory fields are highlighted until completed. This functionality may not be available in other software.

Some fields are locked for editing - you do not need to complete these.

Several questions require an answer from a dropdown list. These are indicated in the question or column heading.

Some fields need a particular format for the data. An ‘error message’ will appear if your entry does not match the required format.

Get help and support

Email the EWCO team for more information xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

If you have applied, you will receive an email from the address xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx). Check your junk folder and accept emails from this address, and reply directly.