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FG11

Deer exclosure plot

Capital Items open_in_new View on RPA Website

£212.56

per unit · one-off

info Summary

FG11 is a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier capital grant for establishing a deer exclosure plot. It protects woodland and other habitats from deer browsing to monitor regeneration potential and browsing impact, paying £212.56 per unit.

format_list_bulleted What to do

  • Have a management plan confirming deer presence and environmental threat.
  • Erect a deer exclosure plot at least 1.5m high by 4m by 4m.
  • Ensure the fence meets Forestry Commission Forest Fencing Technical Guide specifications (no gates).
  • Inspect the fence at least once a year and maintain it to prevent deer entry for the agreement length.
  • Do not cut any vegetation inside the plot.

schedule When to do

  • Inspect the fence at least once a year.

checklist How to do

  • Have a management plan confirming deer presence and environmental threat.
  • Erect a deer exclosure plot at least 1.5m high by 4m by 4m.
  • Ensure the fence meets Forestry Commission Forest Fencing Technical Guide specifications (no gates).
  • Inspect the fence at least once a year and maintain it to prevent deer entry for the agreement length.
  • Do not cut any vegetation inside the plot.

description Evidence Required

You must keep photographs of the completed work and provide with your claim.

You must also keep and provide on request:

  • any consents or permissions connected with the work
  • receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
  • a Forestry Commission management plan approval letter if required

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide.

tips_and_updates Additional Advice

  • Choose a site within woodland where regeneration is expected but not occurring, and where the area receives enough light.

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info Additional Information

FG11: Deer exclosure plot

This item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Capital Grants 2025 guidance to understand the rules and how to apply.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the CSHT applicant’s guide to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

£212.56 per unit.

How this item benefits the environment

It protects areas of woodland that are approximately 16 square metres (m2) in size from deer browsing. This allows monitoring of the area’s regeneration potential and the impact of browsing.

Where you can use this item

You can use this item with a management plan on:

  • woodland
  • wood pasture
  • scrub
  • heathland
  • moorland or grassland restoration

You cannot use it if there’s both:

  • insufficient light to allow for the potential for natural regeneration
  • the plot size is less than 16m2

What you must do to use this item

You must:

  • have a management plan confirming deer are present and a threat to the environment
  • erect a deer exclosure plot that’s at least 1.5 metres (m) high by 4m by 4m
  • you can agree alternative specifications with your local Forestry Commission adviser if you’re applying for CWS1: Deer control and management
  • make sure the fence meets the specifications set out in the Forestry Commission Forest Fencing Technical Guide but with no gates
  • make sure the fence is inspected at least once a year
  • maintain the fence so deer cannot enter the site for the length of the agreement
  • make sure stakes are large enough to support the exclosure plot for the length of the agreement
  • replace any stakes or fencing materials that become damaged during the term of the agreement
  • make sure the fence has a line that’s smooth enough and clear of debris so the bottom of the fence sits flush with the ground

You must not cut any vegetation inside the plot.

Evidence you must keep

You must keep photographs of the completed work and provide with your claim.

You must also keep and provide on request:

  • any consents or permissions connected with the work
  • receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
  • a Forestry Commission management plan approval letter if required

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.

If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holder’s guide.

Other items you can use with this item

You can use this item with FY1: Deer high seat

Advice to help you use this item

The following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements.

Choosing a site

Choose a site within the woodland where it’s reasonable to expect the regeneration of trees, shrubs and flowers to take place, but is not currently happening. The area should receive enough light for regeneration to occur.

Questions about FG11?

Ask Tom anything about this subsidy, eligibility, evidence requirements, or compatibility with other actions.