CKD Galbraith has expanded its forestry department in Inverness and Perth to reflect a growing demand for specialist forestry services. The firm is now handling more than £10m of grant applications, over the next 12 months, under the Scottish Rural Development Programme grant scheme.

Substantial grants have been secured for clients for ‘innovative and previously unachievable projects’ says John MacKay, head of forestry for CKD Galbraith. 

Projects being undertaken by the firm include:

• Securing major funding for the creation of a network of mountain bike trails and the clearance of rhododendron in The Stornoway Castle Grounds, in the Outer Hebrides
• The restoration of an ancient Atlantic oak woodland on Islay and the restoration of a Designed landscape integrating historical built features and public access paths.
• The restoration of large native woodland at the Inverpolly Nature Reserve near Ullapool.  

Scott Grant will join the Inverness team in October, this following the recruitment of Steven Liddle. Neil Crookston will take up his post in Perth shortly with a view to maintaining the momentum the department has now built-up in Perthshire as well as assisting with forestry expansion in the Borders following the firm’s purchase of Buccleuch John Sale.

MacKay says: “During the time when forestry was in the doldrums we were very proactive in identifying projects, such as woodland restructuring schemes that would deliver tangible benefit our clients. Now we have moved into another phase where there is a growing demand for our forestry services brought about by the governments agenda on climate change. While the SRDP scheme is surprisingly complex, we do believe that government is trying to iron out the problems and it is yielding real opportunities for landowners and private investors seeking to embark on major forestry proposals. The addition of Steve Liddle to our staff has significantly enhanced our services in this field of work and he has been actively involved in the Stornoway, Islay and Ullapool projects.”

Liddle says: “There is no doubt the SRDP scheme has transformed the situation for many people with forestry and land management interests. Funding now has a far wider remit, allowing greater integration of projects such as recreation and landscape enhancement, resulting in projects like The Stornoway Castle Grounds cycle trails and garden restoration. Previously it would have been much harder to blend the two elements and access the funding required.”

Among other projects the CKD forestry team is involved in are: 

• The marketing of nine Forestry Commission Woodland sites, valued at approximately £7 million.
• The production of an Environmental Statement to support a 700ha woodland creation application.
• Urban Forestry and landscaping, trees in and around developments through the new British Standard 5837. 

The Scottish Rural Development Plan (SRDP) is a £1.6 billion programme of economic, environmental and social measures designed to develop rural Scotland until 2013. A wide range of formerly separate support schemes are brought together covering farming, forestry and primary processing sectors, rural enterprise and business development, diversification and rural tourism, as well as support for rural communities. It is outcome-focused and primarily aims to deliver a Greener Scotland and to promote a ‘Wealthier and Fairer’ rural Scotland . It will contribute to the Government’s ‘Healthier and Smarter’ objectives. It has four main themes:  

• To increase competitiveness in agriculture and forestry through improved business viability.
• To improve the environment and countryside through enhanced biodiversity & landscape, improved water quality and tackling climate change.
• Enhance the quality of life in rural areas through thriving rural communities.
• LEADER - local community funding for rural development projects.

 The measures will be delivered through:

• Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme
• Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Grant Scheme
• Less Favoured Area Support Scheme
• Skills Development Scheme
• Rural Development Contracts – Land Manager Options & Rural Priorities
• Forestry Challenge Funds – Woodlands In and Around Towns & Forests for People
• LEADER – community funding
• What are the Key Messages?

The majority of funding (71%) comes from the Scottish Government, the remaining 29% is from the European Commission. A significant proportion of the total funding is pre-committed as an overhang from previous programmes.

Funding is targeted to where it will provide the greatest public benefits through adopting local solutions, with each region setting its own priorities, to deliver national outcomes.

The majority of the budget is delivered through non-competitive elements but a significant element of competitiveness has been introduced particularly in relation to Rural Priorities, Challenge Funds, and LEADER.

The range of potential applicants is widened to include community groups and non-land based sectors of the rural economy.

Applications to competitive funds will be assessed locally and a two stage application process, supported by a named case officer, has been introduced. Thirteen Scottish areas have established their own RPAC (Regional Proposal Assessment Committee) for Land Management Contracts and a LAG (Local Action Group) for LEADER. Assessment criteria will be transparent and based around ‘contribution to regional priorities/strategy’, ‘Value for Money’, and ‘Management of Risk’. Expenditure must be claimed within the financial year that it is contracted.

Applicants must be registered as a business with the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspectorate Division (SGRPID). Land Owners and farmers need to apply for a Business Registration Number (BRN). Eligible land must be IACS registered. 

Scale and co-operation between landowners will have a significant influence on the attainment of outcomes and sustainability in relation to environmental impacts. Applications should aim to contribute to multiple outcomes and demonstrate substantial public benefits.