Organization : Forestry Commission Scotland
Type of Facility : Apply For Felling Licence
Country: Scotland
Website : https://forestryandland.gov.scot/business-and-services
Apply Here : https://forestryandland.gov.scot/
Apply For Felling Licence :
To help protect Scotland’s forests, a felling licence from Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) is required to fell trees. It is an offence to fell without a licence, unless an exemption applies.
Related : Forestry Commission Scotland Land Leasing Application : www.statusin.org/9238.html
The quick guide to felling licences:
Step 1. Check for any exemptions:
** The exemptions section will help you judge whether the felling you plan to carry out is exempt from a licence.
** If none of the exemptions apply then you must apply for a felling licence.
** If you are exempt then felling can proceed, however, always check by contacting Forestry Commission Scotland if you think that you do not need a licence as there can be penalties for felling without one.
Step 2. Check for restrictions in place in the proposed felling area:
** Use the Land Information Search to see if there is anything about the proposed felling area that you need to take into account, such as Special Protection Areas.
** Under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 it is an offence to interfere with a badger sett or to kill, or injure badgers. You must take this into account when you plan your felling activities.
** Red Squirrels are a priority species on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. They are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended.
Step 3. Check for local planning controls:
** Consult the local planning authorities to see if they have legal controls in place in the proposed felling area, such as Tree Preservation Orders, or trees within a conservation area.
** Controls may also exist that apply to the movement of timber. If in doubt, check with FCS Plant Health Service (Tel: 0131 314 6414).
** When considering the route you might use to transport your timber there are Agreed Routes Maps (ARMs) drawn up by Councils in consultation with Regional Timber Transport Groups. These will help you identify the most suitable route for timber haulage. The aim is to keep timber traffic off the most vulnerable roads by directing it along any stronger routes that are available. More details, including a link to the ARMs, are available on the Timber Transport Forum website.
** For details of other controls that can apply to felling, see other legal felling controls.
Step 4. Complete a felling licence application:
** Complete the Felling licence (Scotland) application form (PDF 153k) and attach a signed and dated map showing the boundary of the proposed area. For full details of the process, see applying for a felling licence.
Important:
EU timber regulations require that you give details of all individual species on your application form if these account for more than 20% of the timber that will be felled. For further details about these regulations please see our EU Timber Regulations page.
Felling licence exemptions:
There are five categories of felling licence exemption:
** Location
** Type of tree work
** Volume and diameter
** Other permissions
** Legal and statutory requirements
Who can apply for a licence?:
Anyone can apply for a felling licence but it must be issued in the name of the owner or lessee of the property. Lessees must ensure that their lease entitles them to fell trees.
In some circumstances, we will issue a licence to someone who is not the owner or lessee but has sufficient legal interest in the land. This means they must be able to fell the trees without the need to get permission from anyone else.
Note: selling land with a felling licence in place
A felling licence applies to the land, regardless of who owns the land. This means that the permission and conditions remain in force after the land is sold. Those who sell land with a felling licence must advise both Forestry Commission Scotland and the purchaser accordingly.
Conditions on a licence:
Conditions will normally be included on the licence to:
** Restock the area with trees.
** Maintain these trees for a period not exceeding ten years.
Felling licence applicants must agree to these conditions. The Government has a general policy against not restocking woodland after felling, so that it can be used for other purposes. Licences to thin woodlands are granted unconditionally (without the need to restock).