Subsidy Library

Find detailed information about subsidies

arrow_back Back to Subsidy Library

FG9

Deer fencing

Capital Items open_in_new View on RPA Website

£10.27

per metre · one-off

info Summary

This Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier capital grant provides funding for deer fencing to protect new or existing woodland and wood pasture from deer browsing, thereby sustaining habitats, supporting biodiversity, and enhancing carbon capture.

format_list_bulleted What to do

  • Install the fence according to specifications in the tables and the Forestry Commission: Forest fencing guide
  • Clear debris and ensure the fence bottom sits smoothly with the ground to prevent gaps
  • Regularly inspect and maintain the fence until trees no longer need protection
  • Obtain adviser agreement for metal fence posts in CSHT agreements

checklist How to do

Fence Woodwork Specifications

  • End and turning posts: 2.8m by 10-18cm, depending on deer species.
  • Struts: 2.5m by 8-13cm, depending on deer species.
  • Intermediate stakes: 2.5-2.6m by 5-10cm, depending on deer species.
  • Maximum stake spacing: 10m for all deer species.

Fence Height and Mesh Specifications

  • Red and Sika deer: Minimum fence height 1.8m, maximum mesh size 200mm by 300mm.
  • Fallow deer: Minimum fence height 1.8m, maximum mesh size 200mm by 220mm.
  • Roe deer: Minimum fence height 1.5m, maximum mesh size 200mm by 150mm.
  • Muntjac deer: Minimum fence height 1.5m, maximum mesh size 75mm by 75mm.

Management Plan Requirements

  • For existing woodland sites, your management plan must clearly identify deer presence and threat.
  • A woodland management plan is not needed when protecting newly planted trees with TE4: Supply and plant tree.
  • Discuss and agree site-specific requirements with your adviser.

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

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.

View Official Guidelines

Access detailed information about this action on the RPA website

open_in_new Visit RPA Website

info Additional Information

FG9: Deer 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

£10.27 per metre (m).

How this item benefits the environment

Protecting newly created or existing woodland and wood pasture from deer browsing, helping sustain the habitat. This supports biodiversity and carbon capture.

Where you can use this item

You can use this item on woodland and wood pasture with the agreement of the Forestry Commission

You can also use in a Woodland Tree Health Grant in combination with TE5: Supplement for use of individual tree-shelters (with the agreement of the Forestry Commission)

What you must do to use this item

You must:

  • install the fence ensuring the specifications meet the requirements set out in the tables below and in the Forestry Commission: Forest fencing guide
  • clear debris from the line of the fence
  • make the line of the fence smooth enough so the bottom of the fence sits with the ground (there must be no gaps that deer can enter through)
  • make sure the fence is regularly inspected
  • maintain the fence so deer cannot enter the land until the trees are large enough that they no longer need protecting
  • get the agreement of your adviser if installing metal fence posts on land in a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier agreement

Specifications for the fence’s woodwork

Species of deer End posts and turning posts metres by centimetres (cm) Struts metres by centimetres (cm) Intermediate stakes metres by centimetres (cm) Maximum stake spacing metres (m)
Roe 2.8m by 10 to 13cm 2.5m by 8 to 10cm 2.5m by 5 to 8cm 10m
Muntjac 2.8m by 10 to 13cm 2.5m by 8 to 10cm 2.5m by 5 to 8cm 10m
Red/sika/fallow 2.8m by 12 to 18cm 2.5m by 10 to 13cm 2.6m by 8 to 10cm 10m

Specifications for the height of the fence and the size of the mesh

Species of deer Minimum fence height metres (m) Maximum mesh size millimetres (mm)
Red and sika 1.8m 200mm by 300mm
Fallow 1.8m 200mm by 220mm
Roe 1.5m 200mm by 150mm
Muntjac 1.5m 75mm by 75mm

What the management plan needs to include

You can only use this item on an existing woodland site if your management plan clearly identifies that deer are present and pose a threat to the site. You do not need a woodland management plan where this item is being used to protect newly planted trees using capital item TE4: Supply and plant tree.

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 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

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.

Items, supplements and actions you can use with this item

Capital items

You can use this item with the following items:

Supplements

You can use it with these supplements:

FG4: Rabbit fencing supplement

FG5: Fencing supplement – difficult sites

Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier actions

You can use with these actions:

Questions about FG9?

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