Case Studies

WHPMG Pilot

The Woodland Harvesting, Processing and Marketing Grant (WHPMG) scheme was introduced by the Forestry Commission under the England Rural Development Programme in 2005. Two rounds of applications were invited, with total funding available of £600,000. It was decided that the scheme should be introduced on a pilot basis, with one pilot in the South East Region and the other taking in contiguous areas of the North East and Yorkshire & The Humber Regions.

North East Regional Forest Strategy

RDI have been commissioned by the Forestry Commission to manage the process of monitoring and coordinating the production of the North East Regional Forestry Strategy from 2006 onwards.  As well as playing a key role in delivering projects on the ground, the Forestry Commission recognised RDI’s abilities to coordinate the complex process of data collection, partner engagement and the preparation and publication of the annual Implementation Plan.

Northumberland Fire Group

Northumberland Fire Group is a coming together of the public and private sectors to tackle the increasing threat of large wildfires in rural parts of Northumberland. Members of the group include landowners, land agents, public sector bodies, farmers and in fact anyone with an interest in wildfire. At the request of Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, RDI put together a plan for the creation of the Fire Group and then set about the long and complicated task of assembling the funding package to make the project work.

BioeNErgy Delivers Real Benefit to Rural Businesses

Park End Farms, based in Northumberland, secured funding in round two of the bioeNErgy programme to further develop and strengthen their woodchip operations.  Their farm business diversified two years ago by purchasing a chipper to supply their own woodfuel requirements and to meet the needs of other chip suppliers across the region by offering a contract chipping service. 

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Deer Management in Northumberland

During the summer of 2007 Adam Bedford, an MSc student at Newcastle University’s Centre for Rural Economy, undertook at research project on Deer Management in Northumberland.  Adam undertook the research through a placement jointly funded by Northwoods and Northumberland National Park as part of his MSc in Rural Development and Resource Management.

Woodfuel Producer Groups

RDI operates two woodfuel producer groups in England and has advised on the establishment of several more.  Producer groups are increasingly being realised as a key tool in bringing the benefits of expanding woodfuel markets to small businesses, farmers and other woodland owners, RDI are providing strong leadership in the field of supply chain co-operation.

RDI's Woodfuel Expertise assisting Kirklees

Like many local authorities, Kirklees Council is actively looking at ways to reduce its carbon footprint across its extensive property holdings, whilst at the same time owning large areas of woodland, many of which despite providing significant public amenity, were largely unmanaged and thus in declining condition. Recognising that there was an opportunity to solve two problems at once, Kirklees engaged RDI to undertake a survey of its woodlands, make recommendations for management and provide an estimate of the potential woodfuel resource.

Red Meat Export

RDI acted as Project Manager and banker to the Red Meat Industry Forum's Red Meat Export project.

The Red Meat Industry Task Group was set up in 2005 as part of the North East Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy.   The group is responsible for driving forward an agreed action plan designed to add or retain value for the livestock sector within the region, research export opportunities, stimulate integration of the red meat supply chain and improve efficiencies within livestock production and the supply chain.

Great Yorkshire Show Forestry Arena - delivered by RDI

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society, organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show, have contracted Rural Development Initiatives (through Yorwoods, the Yorkshire woodland initiative hosted by RDI) to manage the forestry arena at the Great Yorkshire Show since 2005. The Great Yorkshire Show is one of the UK’s premier agricultural shows, with an annual attendance of over 130,000 and a reputation for high quality exhibits, competitions and displays.

Ignite - Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Ignite, RDI’s award winning wood fuel training course, has been delivered at locations across the UK. This summer the course was delivered very successfully in Wales for the first time. 

After initial investigations in Wales in 2007 through local contacts in the forestry and woodfuel sectors t, we saw that there was enough demand to run four courses throughout 2008; two in North Wales and two in South Wales.