FG10: Temporary deer fencing

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the temporary deer fencing item.

How much will be paid

£8.09 per metre.

Where to use this item

Available for Higher Tier and Higher Tier Capital Grants only on newly created or existing woodland or woodland subject to Woodland tree health.

Where this item cannot be used

To protect newly planted woodland supported by item TE4 - Supply and plant tree.

To protect newly planted woodland supported by item TE5 - Supplement for individual use of tree shelters.

How this item will benefit the environment

It will protect newly coppiced woodland from deer browsing as part of a wider woodland management project.

Requirements

Agreement holders are likely to need to make sure the fence:

  • protects newly coppiced woodland
  • meets the specifications set out in the table below (and in the Forestry Commission practice note Recommendations for fallow, roe and muntjac deer fencing
  • is erected as soon as possible after coppicing has taken place and before stools have started to grow again
  • has a line that is clear of debris
  • has a line that is smooth enough that the bottom of the fence sits with the ground (there must be no gaps that deer can get through)
  • is maintained so that deer cannot enter the land until the coppice re-growth is large enough that it no longer needs to be protected

Specifications for the height and mesh size of temporary fences:

Species of deer Minimum fence height (m) Maximum mesh size (mm)
Fallow 1.5 200 by 220
Roe 1.5 200 by 150
Muntjac 1.5 75 by 75

What the management plan needs to include

Where the item is used on an existing woodland site, the management plan needs to identify that deer are present on the site in large numbers and are a threat to it.

Keeping records

Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them on request:

  • any consents or permissions connected with the work
  • receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
  • Forestry Commission Management Plan approval letter

Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Higher Tier, Higher Tier Capital Grants or Woodland tree health guidance for more detail. You can find the latest guidance at Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage.

Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them with the claim:

  • photographs of the completed work

The detailed requirements for this item will be tailored to the Higher Tier site. Higher Tier applicants should discuss and agree these requirements with their adviser.

Further information

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Higher Tier, Higher Tier Capital Grants and Woodland tree health including how to apply.

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 7 November 2023 + show all updates
  1. Removal of text confirming FG10 Temporary deer fencing availability under Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants (SFI pilot), as the SFI Capital offer is no longer available.

  2. This item is now available for Higher Tier Capital Grants

  3. 'Where to use this item' section updated to include detail on SFI pilot standard.

  4. Updated for 2017 applications.

  5. Information updated for applications in 2016.

  6. First published.