Advisory Services

How Can We Help You?

The Woodland Advisory Service exists to support landowners and land managers looking to create or manage woodland within Cumbria. Advocating, demonstrating and advising on woodland management has been at the very core of Cumbria Woodland's mission for over 30 years. Our expertise combines knowledge of woodland management with a deep understanding of the Cumbrian landscape, environment and heritage.

The advisory service can offer information on all grants and funding available for woodland management and creation.

The prospect of woodland creation or management can seem daunting, but our services can demystify the process and support you to get the best from your land. Our advisory service can offer the following:

Step 1: Free Initial Consultation

A free online or phone consultation with a woodland advisor

Step 2: Free Site Visit and Report

A free half-day site visit and report write up on your woodland

Step 3: Professional Services

We provide further professional services to support you

Step 4: Next Steps Support

We can direct you to other service providers that you may require

Woodland Advice Outside of Cumbria

Cumbria Woodlands is now offering initial Woodlands Advice outside of Cumbria in the following areas-

  • Northumberland
  • Durham
  • Yorkshire
  • Lancashire

We are able to offer this service for those within these regions who are close to the border of Cumbria and/or within easy travelling distance for our team.

Cost- £450 (+VAT) for a half-day site visit and report.

More information on our advisory services

Step 1: Free Initial Consultation

Arrange a free one-hour consultation with one of our woodland advisors to discuss your site and its potential. This is an opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the woodland management/creation process and what may be achievable. We will discuss the aims and objectives for your site and how best to meet your goals. These consultations are impartial, independent and from an expert in woodland management and creation. All our advisors have an understanding of the Cumbrian landscape and the unique challenges and opportunities that exist here.

Find out more about:

  • Why woodlands need management
  • The process of woodland creation/management
  • The feasibility of your site
  • How Cumbria Woodlands can help you
  • Designations and assessment requirements
  • Potential limitations of your site
  • Online resources that may be appropriate

The advisory service offers support to woodlands of a cumulative area over a hectare, that currently has no formal management plan or is an Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland.

This work is supported by the Woodland Trust, the Forestry Commission and the National Lottery Heritage Fund for Green Recovery Challenge Fund.

Step 2: Free Site Visit and Report

Following on from an initial consultation, we can suggest a site visit from one of our woodland advisors. A walk around the site allows a more in-depth understanding of the land and its potential which it isn't possible to achieve on a phone consultation. We will listen to your ideas and help demystify the process of woodland management and creation. During this time we can make suggestions and recommendations for your land and note any interesting features that are present.

The visit consists of half a day on-site followed by a report providing a brief summary of the site and outlining recommendations for management interventions and their priority in line with the goals of the landowner.

We can offer suggestions on:

  • Suitable woodland grants
  • Management objectives and suitability
  • Ground conditions and suitability
  • Disease management options
  • Possibilities for your site
  • Assessments and Licences that may be needed
  • Further investigations that may be required
  • Next Steps
  • Further training for individuals

The advisory service offers support to woodlands of a cumulative area over a hectare, that currently has no formal management plan or is an Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland.

This work is supported by the Woodland Trust, the Forestry Commission and the Trees Call to Action Fund. The Trees Call to Action Fund fund was developed by Defra in partnership with the Forestry Commission and is being delivered by the Heritage Fund.

Step 3: (Additional) Professional Services

As your plans develop we can offer further services to support you with woodland management or creation. Your site report may suggest what is needed on your site such as:

  • Biodiversity survey
  • Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)
  • Funding advice
  • Heritage Impact Assessments (HIA)
  • Management plans
  • Planting plans
  • Plan applications and submissions
  • Surveys
  • Woodland creation grant advice

We can also offer to consult on a day rate basis where we can tailor our support to meet your specific needs.

£500 ADVICE VOUCHERS IN CUMBRIAFarmers can apply for vouchers worth up to £500 towards the cost of advice from a consultant of your choice.

The vouchers are being administered by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the Cumbrian Local Authorities with funding from the Rural England Prosperity Funding.

The farmer needs to complete 3 short forms, which include a short voucher application form, a State Aid declaration (BPS and Stewardship payments are exempt) and a registration form that requires some details such as business turnover and VAT number. The farmer needs to get a quote from the adviser, sign the forms and send them to the Chamber of Commerce.

https://cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk/business-support/uk-shared-prosperity-fund/cumberland-uk-spf/business-grants

https://cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk/repf-advice-vouchers

Step 4: Next Steps Support

Online training- CANOPY LEARNING

Practical training- www.cumbriawoodlands.co.uk/working-with-individuals/events/

Further skills and services in Cumbria- CANOPY DIRECTORY

Contact us about our Advisory Services

For more information on our services please contact us using the link below

Please include the following information if possible-

1) Location2) Estimated site size3) Whether you are interested in woodland creation or management advice (or both)4) Any other information we should know about your site5) It would be great if you could share a map of the site (no problem if you can't)

Want to know about woodland creation or management?

Our guidance offers a great introduction to understanding woodland creation and management, the reasoning behind it and the many benefits.

Looking for training about woodland creation or management?

Our training courses will give you the knowledge to know the right questions to ask about your land and allow you to better consider how you want to manage it.

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