GovWire

You can access the public registers here:

• consultation register for grant schemes, felling and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) applications
• decision register for grant schemes, felling and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) decisions

How to use the consultation register

You can search the consultation register for:

• grant-aided woodland creation
• afforestation where an EIA (full notification) is made
• tree felling (excluding those permitting thinning works, felling of cricket bat willow where like for like restocking is proposed, or where an exemption to the consultation register applies)

Grant-aided woodland creation proposals and tree felling applications are published on the consultation register for 21 days.

Afforestation proposals, where an EIA (full notification) is made, are published for 21 days. During this time you can comment on the proposals in relation to UK Forestry Standard requirements.

The register shows the date the application was published and the end date for comments.

EIA stage 2 applications

This register is also used to notify the public of EIA stage 2 applications for consent at the consultation stage for the Environmental Statement. These are required where we decide, at stage 1, if a project could have a significant effect on the environment.

In these instances, the project proposer is required to seek advice and provide evidence to show how the impact identified at stage 1 may be mitigated. They will do this by writing an environmental statement.

While we assess the environmental statement, we will publish details of the environmental statement for public comment for a period of 30 days, prior to making our final decision. We may consult other bodies before reaching a decision.

More information on the EIA process can be found on our EIA guidance page.

England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)

We publish proposals that relate to applications under EWCO as soon as possible. This means that the schemes may not have been checked for compliance with the UK Forestry Standard. Where schemes undergo significant change to ensure compliance with the UK Forestry Standard or EWCO rules the proposal will be relisted to provide 21 days for comment.

Consultation register: tree felling application exemptions

Defra announced a modification to the way a limited number of felling licence applications will be dealt with by the Forestry Commission.

Some felling licence applications may now be excluded from publication on the consultation public register, such as those:

• directly related to the management of tree pests and diseases
• made due to a public safety issue

This is so we can expedite the proposed tree felling for an overriding biosecurity or public safety benefit.

The exemption from the consultation public register will not affect the outcome of whether a tree will be felled. The exemption is intended to streamline the decision-making process for felling licence applications that relate to overriding biosecurity or public safety issues. However, you should continue to make felling licence applications in a timely way.

The exclusion from the consultation public register will not impact the need to consult with statutory bodies, where relevant, and does not impact on other conditions related to approving a felling licence, such as the need to restock.?

How to get more information or comment on an application

Submit a comment online by visiting the consultation register website. Leave your comment against the case youre interested in.

Most applications are for forestry work on private land.

To request more information, or comment by post, youll need to find out which body (Forestry Commission or a Defra partner) is responsible for the application. See the field called Organisation in the public register. You can contact us or a Defra partner.

Contact information

Forestry Commission cases

Email or write to the appropriate Forestry Commission Administrative hub and quote the case reference number.

Defra woodland creation delivery partner cases

Please quote the case reference number when contacting the woodland creation partners:

• City of Trees
• Derbyshire Heartwood
• Forest of Avon Trust
• Forest for Cornwall
• Forest of Marston Vale Trust
• Forest of Mercia
• Great Western Community Forest
• Greenwood Community Forest Partnership
• Humber Forest
• National Forest Company
• North East Community Forest
• Northumberland Woodland Creation Partnership
• Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest
• Raise: Cumbria Community Forest
• Thames Chase Trust
• The Mersey Forest
• Trees on Tees
• White Rose Forest
• Woodland Trust

Your privacy

Read the privacy notice on the consultation public register webpage for information on how your personal information will be treated, if provided.

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