RP14: Yard inspection pit
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the yard inspection pit item.
How much will be paid
£200 per unit.
Where to use this item
Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants.
Only:
- in areas targeted for the reduction of water pollution from agriculture
- with support from a Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) officer
Where this item cannot be used
- on covered or indoor yards
- without relevant advice or consents from the Environment Agency (EA)
How this item will benefit the environment
This item will improve existing outdoor yards to reduce the risk of runoff and water pollution.
Requirements
- ensure that all work meets relevant British Standards - examine copies of the most up-to-date standards for guidance
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build an inspection pit or a catch pit:
- make sure the internal area of the pit is at least 0.36 square metres
- make sure the pit opening is at least 600mm in diameter
- build the pit onto a concrete base that is at least 250mm thick, with block walls rendered internally and externally
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construct the pit walls with:
- solid concrete blocks at least 200mm thick
- engineering brickwork at least 200mm thick
- proprietary precast reinforced concrete
- proprietary plastic or uPVC liner with a concrete surround at least 150mm thick
- make sure block walls are rendered internally and externally
- install all proprietary items according to the manufacturer’s instructions to support the weight of traffic going over it
- design the cover and frame to carry a load appropriate to its situation, e.g. in high traffic areas this must be at least 10 kilo newtons per square metre
- embed the cover and frame securely so it is level with or is below the surrounding surface
- build at least 10m from a slurry or silage store if this item has an open grating
Inspection pits:
- the inspection pit channel must be benched half round, equal in diameter to the largest inlet pipe and extending the full length of the pit
- the side connections must discharge in the direction of flow of the main channel
Catch pits:
- install a pluggable catch pit and sump (at least 450mm deep with a submersible pump) at the point where clean drainage water leaves the yard
- monitor the drainage water for contaminants
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
- photographs of site before works start
Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Mid Tier, Higher Tier or Capital Grants 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 site during the different stages of construction or contracts, invoices or other documents confirming the technical specification for the completed works
- photographs of the completed works in place and installed
Before applying, applicants must seek advice from EA to check if consent is required to carry out the planned work. Consent may be required if the works are designed to transfer slurry or silage effluent and need to meet water resources control of water pollution regulations. You do not need to provide this with your application, but you will need to submit consents or permissions with your payment claim. Applicants will have to send the following with their application:
- written support from a CSF officer
Related Mid Tier and Capital Grants items
This item can be used on the same area as the following items:
Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this item
The following section gives advice on carrying out this item successfully but does not form part of the requirements for this item.
The existing uncovered yards should be made from:
- concrete
- hard core
- tarmac
- bare earth
More detailed information about using this item is available through CSF. Applicants may also be able to request an infrastructure audit, slurry and manure handling plan, or pesticide handling or washdown facilities design plan.
Biodiversity
This item has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.
The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.
Further information
You can read information about separating clean and dirty water at The Rivers Trust.
Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) operates in parts of country where there are water quality issues linked to farming. The scheme provides farmers with free advice and training. See guidance about CSF support for further information.
Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants including how to apply.
Last updated 9 February 2021 + show all updates
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Added in links to Capital Grants manual as this option is now available for Capital Grants
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Updated for 2017 applications.
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Information updated for applications in 2016.
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First published.