Rural Payments and Services

For recent changes to this guidance, please see the bottom of the page.

This cost is for the construction of forest lay-bys, turning areas or loading bays where they meet the objectives of the Forest Infrastructure option.

This item is only eligible for accessing small, unmanaged woodlands of less than 50 hectares in size. Woodland over 50ha which also include areas of native woodland (as shown on the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland) not producing timber may be eligible as long as the productive woodland area is less than 50ha.

The construction should use on-site material wherever possible. Specifications are based on the Forestry Commission Standard Road Specification which can be found in Annex 1 of the Timber Transport Forum guide: The design and use of the structural pavement of unsealed roads 2020.

Please review this for the full specification.

Lay-bys:

• 20 metres long, 3 metres wide, with 10 metre splays

Turning areas:

• 26 metres in overall length, 4 metres wide with 11 metre radii

Loading bays:

• 30 metres long, 3 metres wide

Ensure that you minimise disturbance of peaty soils.

If tree clearance is required you must have an approved felling permission prior to starting work.

Forest roads and quarries may need consent under the Forestry Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 2017.

Please discuss this with Scottish Forestry during the application process. In addition, you may need to get further permission from your local planning authority.

Any groundwork adjoining a public road (A, B, or C categories) and up to 25 metres from the public road will require planning permission.

If your application includes the construction of forestry tracks (private ways), prior notification to the local planning authority will also be required.

As this is a new regulatory requirement (2014) further guidance and final arrangement are still to be confirmed. Please discuss with your local conservancy office or local planning authority.

Further information

Please ensure you abide by conditions set out in the Forestry Grant Scheme claim form and guidance.

• Forest Research Technical Note: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from forest civil engineering
• Timber Transport Forum: The design and use of the structural pavement of unsealed roads 2020
• Timber Transport Forum: Good practice guides
• SEPA – Diffuse pollution
• Protecting and Managing Water in Forests