Crofter forestry

Crofter forestry is when multiple crofters with a share in a regulated common grazings ask their grazings committee to apply to us for consent to plant and develop woodland on the land.

Who can apply?

Grazings clerks or grazings constables of regulated common grazings.

Getting approval quickly

We use a set of simple rules called 'parameters' to assess your application to undertake crofter forestry. If your application meets every parameter, and no one objects, we can approve it more quickly.

Check list

Your application must meet all these points for a quick decision:

• Objections: The owner, shareholders, or any other interested party in the common grazings must not object to the proposal.
• Access: The proposed forestry scheme must not restrict access to the remainder of the common grazing land.

If your application does not meet all the simple rules, it is treated as a complex application. This means it is passed to senior staff for review, and the decision will take longer to process.

How to apply

You must hold a meeting with all shareholders to notify them of the proposal and get their written consent. Once you have this, complete the ‘crofter forestry’ application form. Please read the guidance notes first. You must also include a scale plan of the proposal and any comments you have received from shareholders or other parties. You can submit your application online or by post.

Apply now

The process

• Initial checks: We'll check your application for completeness and ensure it's for a regulated common grazings with an in-office committee or constable.
• Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate report: The local Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate office will be asked to prepare a report, which may require a site visit and can take several months.
• Decision: We aim to make a decision on straightforward applications that meet all parameters and have no objections quickly.

What happens after a decision?

We may grant or refuse the application. We will notify the owner of the common grazings, and any other involved parties of our decision within 21 days.

• If approved: The owner's consent to the proposals will be entered in the register of crofts. Tree planting or regeneration must begin within 7 years.
• If refused: You have 42 days to appeal our decision to the Scottish Land Court. You can find more information about this on our appeals page.