Guidance

Water grants 2015: post and wire fencing (FG1)

Eligibility and requirements for post and wire fencing.

This guidance was withdrawn on

Capital items for improving water quality are now available through the Mid Tier of Countryside Stewardship.

Applies to England

Farmers and other land managers can apply for water grants.

Read the accompanying guidance to find out more about Countryside Stewardship water grants 2015.

How much will be paid

£4.00 per metre.

Where the item is available

This item can only be used on sites that need new fencing to address water pollution caused by farming in Catchment Sensitive Farming target areas.

When this item can’t be used

It can’t be used on:

  • historic or archaeological features; or
  • a site where a fence has previously received a grant.

How this item will benefit the environment

This item will protect environmental features from livestock. It will also help to manage habitats.

Requirements

Applicants must send dated photographs of the existing site with their application for this item.

On the land

Successful applicants will need to:

  • remove all old fencing material before putting up the new fencing;
  • use softwood timber that’s fully peeled and tanalised, or treated with an approved preservative;
  • put up a fence at least 1.05m high;
  • use strands of galvanised 4mm mild plain steel wire or 2.5mm barbed wire;
  • make sure to use enough strands to control the livestock;
  • use straining posts that are at least 125 by 125mm square, or have a 100mm top diameter, and at least 1.87m long ;
  • set the straining posts at least 750mm into the ground and no more than 150m apart;
  • place a straining post at every change of direction (horizontal or vertical) and at each end of the fence;
  • use struts that are 75 by 75mm square, or have a 65mm top diameter, and 1.87m long;
  • set the struts at least 450mm into the ground and mortice them into the straining post;
  • use intermediate posts that are 75 by 75mm square, or have a 65mm top diameter, and 1.75m long;
  • set the intermediate posts at least 600mm in the ground and no more than 3.5m apart; and
  • make sure that all the materials being used meet the relevant British Standards.

Keeping records

Successful applicants will need to keep:

  • consents or receipted invoices associated with the work, and show them on request;
  • any bank statements associated with the work, and show them on request; and
  • dated photographs to show that the work has been carried to specification (submit these with any claim and show them on request).

What must not be done

Do not:

  • attach the fence to trees or hedgerows; or
  • block or restrict access to open access land

The following supplements can be used on the same feature as this item:

Published 2 March 2015