More than 700 farmers and woodland owners in the West Midlands are interested in turning their unmanaged trees into cash.
They responded to a survey of more than 6,000 farms run by the National Farmers Union on behalf of an Advantage West Midlands (AWM) funded initiative. It asked whether they were interested in having a woodfuel business on their land or in installing woodfuel heating systems on their premises.
Now they will be contacted by Heartwoods - a voluntary sector regional initative working with the Forestry Commission which has received an £827,000 grant from AWM. The aim is to harness untapped wood resources to encourage new jobs and businesses and build a sustained wood supply chain from felling to selling.
Those interested will be given free advice on how to manage their woodlands. Grant funding means they can either set up their own felling business or encourage other businesses to clear their woods and sell on the timber.
Increasing woodfuel use by providing a reliable supply chain will also help meet European and UK targets for reducing CO2 emissions by moving away from unsustainable fossil fuels.
And there's plenty of potential: A staggering 47 per cent of the region's woodlands are unmanaged - the equivalent of nearly 50,000 hectares, or 125,000 acres.
That means there is tremendous potential for selling wood for anything from £200 to £800 a tonne, depending on quality. It can then be used as ordinary firewood, to run woodfuel boilers for home or business use, or for housebuilding and furniture making.
Timber production already generates £11.3 million a year revenue in the region and some 12,000 people are employed in the supply chain. But there is a lot of room for expansion.
Heartwoods is currently:
• Running a series of events throughout the year include deer impact and management, a visit to a sawmill to learn about timber industry standards, a practical event looking at the timber market, and farm walks to look at sustainable farm woodland management.
• Offering training in skills like pruning, coppicing for fuel and the use of chainsaws
• Offering owners a free visit from an expert to give advice on how to manage their woodlands
• Advising people on capital investments required to start up and expand woodfuel businesses; and
• Directing eligible applicants to the Woodland Enterprise Grant (WEG) scheme for potential capital grant support
Richard Hillier, European Programmes Team Leader at AWM, said: “With 47 per cent of the region’s woodland unmanaged, there is no shortage of wood, just people to make it their business. We're delighted with the survey results which show people are realising that there are financial and environmental benefits to branching out.
"Although the use of woodfuel boilers is increasing, growth is being hampered by insufficient wood supplies. Conversely, potential wood suppliers are reluctant to invest due to an uncertain market, capital investment requirements and lack of skills. This funding will address these issues and realise market opportunities and a change towards sustainable fuels.”
Simon West of the Forestry Commission said: “It’s a real shame that thousands of hectares of woodlands in the region are currently unmanaged when they could be put to good use. Managing the woodlands also opens up other opportunities and benefits, including increased biodiversity, recreation and tourism."
Nick Maskery of Heartwoods said: “We are hoping to really kick-start the woodfuel business in the West Midlands. I would encourage people to think about the great opportunities and contact us for information, advice and support.”
Clare Greener, NFU senior policy adviser, said: “The survey was funded by the NFU and we were delighted with the response from our members who are progressive businessmen keen to tap into new markets.
“The farming industry is committed to producing great quality produce but also to helping with the challenges we all face like climate change, preserving resources, cutting emissions and helping to improve biodiversity.
“The survey results show farmers are interested in, and have a wide range of, diversification enterprises on their farms, and are keen to maximise the opportunities on their holdings and deliver business solutions sustainably.”
People can get more details on the woodfuel project by contacting project manager Nick Maskery at Heartwoods on 01952 435860, info@heartwoods.co.uk, or looking at the website www.heartwoods.co.uk
Case studies: Herefordshire and Shropshire
For more details on the Woodland Enterprise Grant contact the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Project Managers at Advantage West Midlands on 0121 380 3500.