Prepare a forest management plan application

To apply for a forest management plan online you must have a good understanding of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS). The UKFS sets out legal and good practice requirements for sustainable forest management in the UK. We will assess your application against the UKFS and any legislation that is relevant to your forest management unit. 

The UKFS defines a forest management unit as ‘a convenient management area determined by the nature of the forest, the management objectives and proposed operations, and which is subject to a forest management plan or proposal. Extensive FMUs allow a strategic approach to be taken to meeting UKFS requirements and guidelines. The term is synonymous with a Woodland Management Unit (WMU)’.

This page tells you how and what to prepare before you apply.

1. If you already have a forest management plan

There is a different application process if you want to submit an existing forest management plan in support of your application. This could be a UKWAS verified plan, or a plan that you've produced yourself. 

2. Identify and assess sensitivities

Identify, assess and record all sensitivities that affect your forest management unit.

Find out how to identify and assess sensitivities, and if statutory consultation is required.

Download the sensitivities form 

Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS)

If there are any PAWS in or adjoining your forest management unit, you must complete and upload the PAWS assessment form. 

Download the PAWS assessment form

Deep peat

If there is any deep peat in, adjoining or hydrologically connected to your forest management unit, you must complete and upload the deep peat assessment form.

Find out how to identify and manage deep peat.

Download the deep peat assessment form

3. Define your objectives

We will ask:

  • for up to 5 objectives for the forest management unit for the next 10 years
  • what actions you will carry out in the first 5 years to help achieve this objective
  • how you will measure whether or not this objective is being achieved

Make a note of these so you can copy them into the application form.

4. Prepare your work programme

Complete and upload the work programme template to list all proposed operations including thinning, felling and restocking.

For each operation tell us:

  • area (ha)
  • species to be felled or thinned
  • indicative year(s)
  • how felled areas will be restocked (species, method, timing)

Your plan must comply with:

Download the work programme template

5. Consider applying for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening opinion

You may want to apply for an EIA screening opinion if your forest management plan includes one of the following:

  • afforestation
  • deforestation
  • quarrying
  • road works

Check if you need to ask for environmental impact assessment screening

If you have already applied for an EIA screening opinion, we'll ask for your reference number. Find this in the confirmation email we sent after you applied.  

6. Consult relevant stakeholders

Before applying for a forest management plan, consult parties who may be affected such as:

  • neighbours
  • CADW and Heneb (for historic or archaeological sites)
  • national park or national landscape (formerly AONB) officer
  • community or town council
  • NRW environment team (for protected species)

Complete and upload the consultation form to record:

  • the sensitivity
  • name of organisation or individual consulted
  • date of contact
  • response from organisation or individual
  • actions you have taken

Download the consultation form

7. Produce maps

Prepare and upload the following separate maps to show:

1. Forest management unit and location

2. Compartments, sub-compartments and coupes

3. Sensitivities

4. Thinning and felling (it must show your coupes)

5. Restocking (it must show your coupes)

All maps must:

  • be OS‑based
  • be clearly labelled
  • include a national grid reference
  • use an appropriate scale
  • be signed and dated
  • be in a PNG, JPG, PDF or DOC format
  • be consistent with your work programme

If you want to send us Shapefiles as well, we will tell you how to do this once you've submitted your application.

8. Identify tree species

Download the tree species form

9. Assemble your full application pack

When you're ready to apply, gather everything you need to be able to answer all the questions in the online application form:

  • landowner and agent details
  • forest management unit details:
    • grid reference that allows us to locate the forest management unit on an OS map
    • forest name
    • description of the forest management unit including tree species, age, terrain, altitude and soils, landscape setting, open areas and risks ((for example, deer and invasive non-native species)
    • total forest management unit size in hectares
    • number of compartments and sub-compartments
    • tree species form
  • up to 5 management objectives
  • sensitivities form
  • PAWS form (if applicable)
  • deep peat form (if applicable)
  • work programme
  • EIA screening opinion reference number (optional)
  • consultation form
  • all maps
  • information to help us visit the site (access details and any health and safety issues)
     

10. Apply online

You must not start any tree felling work until your forest management plan has been approved.

Apply now

Part of

Getting and maintaining a forest management plan: step by step

Explore more

Last updated