FG7: Anti-predator combination fencing

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

£13.76 per metre (m).

How this item benefits the environment

It increases the fledgling success and survival rate of priority ground-nesting birds when used with effective habitat management by protecting them from predators.

This item can help you protect, recover and improve biodiversity on your land.

Where you can use this item

You can use this item either:

• on dry open grassland or heathland habitat used by breeding stone-curlew alongside a grassland or heathland management actions
• on lowland wet grassland used by breeding waders alongside actions to manage, restore or create lowland wet grassland for breeding waders
• on floodplain meadows which support breeding waders alongside a grassland management actions
• on coastal habitats in a management action used by breeding seabirds (especially terns)
• in combination with Higher Tier management actions on wetland areas with the support of a Natural England adviser

You’ll need to get relevant advice, permits or consents from your local authority or Historic Environments Record Office before you start any work.

You cannot use this item on historic and archaeological features without specialist approval (for example, from the relevant local authority historic environment service.

What you must do to use this item

You must:

• agree with Natural England a specification for the fencing in year 1 of your agreement
• create a permanent anti-predator combination fence that meets the agreed specification and timings
• check regularly that target predators are absent from the enclosure
• prevent vegetation from touching the fence’s live wires

Fence specification

The fence is likely to:

• be buried about 25 centimetres (cm) deep into the ground using a trenching machine
• extend at least 1m above ground
• have electric wires set at around 65cm, 115cm, 130cm and 150cm above ground level, offset 5cm to 10cm out from the post

You must not allow the fence to restrict or block access to open access land.

Your adviser will adapt the requirements for this item to your site. You should discuss and agree these requirements with them.

Evidence you must keep

You must keep and provide with your claim:

• photographs during and after work
• a detailed specification by the end of year 1
• records of the number of breeding pairs and breeding productivity of target species within and (as far as possible) outside the fence

You must also keep and provide on request:

• receipted invoices or bank statements
• photographs of the existing site
• written support from your Natural England adviser
• any consents or permissions connected with the work

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.

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.

Constructing the fence

You can also use this item as a stock fence, but it should only be used when fencing is needed at the same location each year.

Anti-predator fences are effective only against large ground predators such as foxes, badgers and hedgehogs. You should only use this item alongside effective habitat management and when predators are likely to limit the productivity of the target species.

When constructing the fence, it’s necessary to:

• make sure the fence surrounds a nesting and chick feeding habitat that benefits the target species
• place fencing away from tall vegetation
• leave enough space between the fence and boundary for vegetation management
• modify gates to stop predators getting through, over or under them

Maintaining the fence

You’ll need to complete regular inspections to ensure that:

• vegetation is not touching the fence
• the voltage is at the required level
• the structure is maintained to the required specification
• no target predators are in the enclosed area

Your Natural England adviser will advise on:

• how frequently these visits are needed (usually at least once a week when birds are nesting)
• whether the power should be left on all year

Control vegetation before it touches the bottom wire. Strim first under the fence line and then apply herbicide.

Where you need a licence

You’ll need a disturbance licence if working near Schedule 1 species (such as stone curlew and little tern).