Water grants 2015: self-supporting covers for slurry stores (RP29)
Eligibility and requirements for self-supporting covers for slurry stores.
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 get paid
£30.50 per square metre.
Where the item is available
This item is available in Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) target areas.
When this item can’t be used
It can’t be used:
- for existing square or rectangular slurry stores;
- for floating covers; or
- to cover any structure other than a slurry store.
How this option will benefit the environment
This item will stop rainwater from entering slurry stores. This will reduce the volume of dirty water that needs to be stored and spread.
Requirements
Before applying for this item, contact:
- the Environment Agency, if any part of the roof-supporting structure forms parts of the slurry store - new and significantly altered stores may have to meet the silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil (SSAFO) regulations 2010; and
- the local planning authority, to check if planning permission is needed
Applicants must send any advice or consent they receive from them with their application for this item.
With permission from Natural England, advice and consent can be received up until 29 May 2015; applicants can discuss this with their local Catchment Sensitive Farming officer.
Applicants must also send dated photographs of the existing site with their application.
On the land
Self-supporting covers and roofs must have a minimum design life of 10 years. However, successful applicants must continue to meet SSAFO and Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) requirements for slurry storage after this period. All works must also meet the relevant British Standards.
Successful applicants will need to:
- install a rainproof, self-supporting cover, supported above the slurry store and fastened by tensioners to the side of the tank;
- make sure the tank is able to support the cover;
- install the cover when the store is empty;
- direct the rainwater away from the slurry store into a clean water drain or rainwater harvesting system; and
- display signs to warn of the dangers of confined spaces and fragile covers.
Keeping records
Successful applicants will need to keep:
- dated photographs of the site before and after the works have taken place (submit these with any claim and show them on request);
- receipted invoices and bank statements relating to this work;
- all relevant consents and permissions; and
- a record of the type and number of animals on their holding (declare this on the claim form).
How to carry out this item
The following section gives advice on carrying out this item successfully.
How to get more detailed advice
More detailed information about using this item is available through the local CSF officer. Applicants may also be able to request an infrastructure audit or a slurry and manure handling plan.
Consult an engineer before using this item
Before carrying out the work, check with a structural or civil engineer that the existing store is able to support a cover. Applicants can also consult a specialist supplier or tank manufacturer.
Further information
Find out more about keeping clean and dirty water separate in this information sheet from the Rivers Trust.
Find out more about using covers on circular slurry stores in this guidance.