Changes to improve the Tree Health Pilots ash dieback offer have been made following feedback gained through a series of workshops run with local authorities. This was part of a research partnership with The Tree Council and Forest Research.
Ash dieback grant
This grant pays for actions related to ash trees with ash dieback that are growing:
- by the roadside
- along public footpaths
- in and outside of woodlands
You can only apply as part of a group application. The groups can be led by a facilitator and they could be from a local authority, environmental or charitable organisation, or local landowner.
Changes to eligibility
There has been a change to eligibility. Lower tier local authorities, such as parish councils, are now considered an eligible group member. This means that a group can be formed with a minimum of two individuals that can be a mix of private landowners and lower tier local authorities, while higher tier authorities can apply to facilitate these groups.
The eligibility for restocking has been widened to allow local authorities acting as a facilitator of a group to also apply for restocking funding, where they have removed ash trees adjacent to those in the group.
Improvements to the application form
The application process has been simplified for the ash dieback offer. It’s now faster to apply meaning that agreements can be issued more quickly.
New guidance is available for lead facilitators and local authorities to help them understand how to apply to the Tree Health Pilot. It sets out what the grant pays for, who is eligible and features a case study to illustrate how an ash dieback grant agreement can be formed.
Find out more
Use the following link to check your eligibility, view the grant payment rates and apply for the ash dieback grant offer: Grants for ash with ash dieback – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
