PA7 Deer & Grey Squirrel Species Management Plan
Fixed Fee – £500 (Remote Service Only – No Site Visits)
This service is for landowners, land agents, and forestry consultants applying under Countryside Stewardship, where a completed PA7 Species Management Plan is required to demonstrate appropriate deer and/or grey squirrel control.
❗ Please note: This service is not available for sites located in West Sussex.
What Is the PA7 Plan?
The PA7 Species Management Plan is a formal document required by the Forestry Commission as supporting evidence for Countryside Stewardship agreements. It outlines the level of pressure from deer and grey squirrels and sets out a clear strategy for how these will be managed over the life of the agreement.
The plan must align with the latest version of the Forestry Commission PA7 template (updated July 2025) and is used by your Woodland Officer or Deer Officer to assess the suitability of your management proposals.
What’s Included
Our fixed-fee service delivers a submission-ready PA7 Species Management Plan, built from field information provided by your on-site team or stalking syndicate. This is a remote service and does not include site visits.
✔️ Initial consultation to confirm objectives and land use context
✔️ Mapping of key habitats, woodland blocks, access routes, and cull zones
✔️ Assessment of browsing pressure and grey squirrel activity (based on your records)
✔️ Population estimates and deer species present
✔️ Practical, realistic control and monitoring proposals
✔️ Delivered in PDF format, ready for direct submission to your Woodland Officer or Deer Officer
🔒 All required information must be supplied at the point of commissioning. A checklist will be provided upon payment.
Who This Service Is For
This plan is suitable for:
- Applicants preparing Countryside Stewardship applications involving woodland management
- Landowners or managers where deer and grey squirrels are a recognised risk
- Agents or consultants seeking to fulfil Forestry Commission evidence requirements
- Syndicates or keepers working under formal management responsibilities
What You’ll Need to Provide
To complete your plan, we require:
- Site name, SBI and location
- Deer species present and levels of observed pressure
- Summary of grey squirrel activity and current control measures
- Cull data or anecdotal impact evidence (where available)
- Digital maps or estate plans
- Name and contact of on-site lead (e.g. stalker, agent, or owner representative), for consultation
Cost & Turnaround
Fixed Fee: £500 per plan, per species, up to a maximum of 1000ha.
Delivered in editable PDF format, fully aligned with current Forestry Commission guidance, one edit included within the fixed fee; additional revisions charged at cost.
Turnaround: 7–10 working days, once all required information is received
