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FG17

FG17: Deer vehicle gate

£749.63

per gate · one-off

info Summary

The FG17 Deer vehicle gate is a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier Capital Grant item that provides funding for installing deer vehicle gates to protect trees from browsing and manage deer on the land. It requires adherence to Forestry Commission specifications for installation and maintenance to ensure deer cannot enter until trees are established.

format_list_bulleted What to do

schedule When to do

  • Maintain the gates to prevent deer entry until the trees no longer require protection

checklist How to do

  • Use specific hanging post dimensions based on deer type (e.g., 2.8m by 120-180mm diameter for Red, Sika, and Fallow deer)
  • Adhere to minimum gate height and maximum mesh size specifications for different deer types (e.g., Red and Sika: 1.8m height, 200mm x 300mm mesh)
  • Consider using wooden wings to ensure gates are deer-proof across the full gap width, especially near ditches, ensuring they meet Forestry Commission’s standards

description Evidence Required

You must keep and provide on request:

  • receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
  • any consents or permissions connected with the work

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement Holder’s guide: Woodland Tree Health grants 2025 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

View Official Guidelines

Access detailed information about this action on the RPA website

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info Additional Information

FG17: Deer vehicle gate

This item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Higher Tier 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

£749.63 per gate.

How this item benefits the environment

It protects trees from deer browsing and damage. It also helps manage deer on your land.

Where you can use this item

You can use this item as part of a Woodland Tree Health grant.

You cannot use this item:

  • where deer fencing is not an appropriate protection measure
  • with a temporary deer fence

What you must do to use this item

You must:

Hanging post dimensions must be a minimum of:

  • 2.8m by 120 to 180 millimetres (mm) diameter for Red, Sika and Fallow deer
  • 2.8m by 100 to 130mm for Roe and Muntjac deer

You must also use the following specifications for the height of the gate and the size of the mesh (minimum gate height (in m) and maximum mesh size (in mm)):

  • Red and Sika 1.8m, 200mm by 300mm
  • Fallow 1.8m, 200mm by 220mm
  • Roe 1.5m, 200mm by 150mm
  • Muntjac 1.5m, 80mm by 80m

When to use wooden wings for gates

You can use wooden wings to make sure the gates are deer proof for the full width of a gap where necessary. For example, where a gateway is adjacent to a ditch. These are only likely necessary where they’re already a feature of the landscape. You should make sure each wing consists of rails or fencing mesh meets Forestry Commission’s standards.

Evidence you must keep

You must keep and provide on request:

  • receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
  • any consents or permissions connected with the work

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement Holder’s guide: Woodland Tree Health grants 2025 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.

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.

Contact your local Forestry Commission adviser for more advice.

Questions about FG17?

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