WN9: Brick, stone or concrete sluice

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

£2,901.40 per sluice.

How this item benefits the environment

Creating brick, stone or concreate sluices provides a robust and substantial structure for water level control. Creating sluices supports raising water levels in lowland peat and restoring or creating habitat.

Where you can use this item

You can only use this item in combination with management actions or options to manage, restore and create habitats or features with the support of a Natural England adviser.

You’ll need to get any necessary consents and permits from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority or internal drainage board before you start any work.

When you apply for your consents and permits, you’ll need to provide:

• fully dimensioned drawings of the site
• a map of the site
• the specification of the planned sluice

You must also contact your local planning authority to check if planning permission is needed.

You cannot use this item where it’ll restrict the movement of migratory fish or eels.

What you must do to use this item

You must:

• agree a detailed specification with Natural England
• complete the works according to the agreed specification and timescale

You should discuss and agree requirements that are specific to your site with your adviser.

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:

• receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
• photographs of the site before works start
• the agreed specification
• 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, 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.

If the sluice replaces an existing one, materials and construction should reflect the original. Otherwise, choice of materials and construction should reflect similar features in the local area.

Check if you need to apply for an environmental permit.