1. RDPE Funds for the Forestry Sector

2. What SW Woodland Renaissance? Woodland Renaissance is a partnership of private and public enterprises, working to regenerate woodland and forestry in the South West to benefit the economy, society and the environment. Provide advice and assistance to forest businesses which want to apply for RDPE funding.

3. What is RDPE Funding? Money from the Rural Development Program for England is EU and Defra funding. It pays for: Agri-environment scheme the England Woodland Grant Scheme LEADER It will also pay for projects which: Improve the competiveness of the forestry sector Improve quality of life in rural areas Help diversify the rural economy

4. Who benefits in the forestry sector? Woodland Owners Sawmillers Woodfuel Producers Woodland Contractors

5. Woodland Owners increase the economic value of your woodland Forestry machinery Forest infrastructure Recreational opportunities Uneconomic silvicultural operations NB: can only be used on non EWGS operations

6. Timber Based Businesses Capital costs of buildings, machinery and infrastructure Development of new products and services Development of new markets for processed material Environmental protection and occupational safety NB: only eligible for micro-enterprises

7. Innovative silviculture Proposal: forest management across 3 collaborating estates in Dorset. Work includes mensuration, access work and conversion to Continuous Cover Forestry Grant total: £58 490

8. Out of the Woods Proposal: to purchase a specialised skidding machine with harvesting head. The machine has increased throughput and allows the harvesting of sites on difficult terrain. Grant: £171 360

9. Tino Rawnsley Proposal: to increase production of pellets and briquettes on site. The sawmill site needed a market for waste material. Pellet and briquette production allows all waste to be utilised from the mill and neighbouring mills to produce a higher value product than chip, logs or mulch Grant: £114 329

10. Collett Firewood Proposal: purchase of a larger log processor with loading table to increase efficiency, occupational safety and production. Grant: £11 500

11. Forestry Sector Projects Approved bids £4 256 180 Grant awarded £1 749 259 Applications in appraisal £2 104 675 Grant requested £805 647 Sep’t 2010

12. Application Requirements www.sw- ruralgateway.info/in dex.asp 1.Must enhance or expand the business 2.Must demonstrate market need 3.Machinery must be specialised 4.Second hand equipment is ok, 5.No hire purchase 6.Projects should have wider benefit e.g. increased ha of woodland managed, employment, renewable energy

13. Contact: Michele Kerry Tel: 01722 446124 Mob: 07796 491270 Email: michele.kerry@silvanus.org.uk