FY1: Deer high seat

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the deer high seat item.

• From: Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
• Published: 2 April 2015
• Last updated: 14 February 2023 — See all updates

• Grant type: Capital item
• Land use: Uplands and Woodland
• Tiers or standalone items: Higher Tier and Standalone capital items
• Funding (per unit per year): £201 to £300

How much will be paid

£265 per unit.

Where to use this item

Available for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, Higher Tier Capital Grants and Woodland tree health.

Where this item cannot be used

Where deer fencing has already been erected to keep deer out of the area.

How this item will benefit the environment

It will provide a safe, temporary vantage point from which to cull deer, reducing the impact their browsing has on the land.

Requirements

Agreement holders are likely to need to consider:

• the health and safety of non-authorised users of the seat - eg prominently display British Standard signs prohibiting public access
• the health and safety of authorised users – eg make sure the seat has safety bars, is of an adequate size, and is securely attached to the anchor point
• the protection of the tree, if a tree is used as an anchor point - eg use webbing strops, rather than wire and nails, to attach the seat to the tree

The high seat must be lean-to and made from galvanised tubular or box-section steel.

What the management plan needs to include

The woodland management plan identifies deer are a threat to the woodland’s condition.

Keeping records

Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them on request:

• any consents or permissions connected with the work
• receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
• Forestry Commission Management Plan approval letter

Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Higher Tier, Higher Tier Capital Grants or Woodland tree health guidance for more detail. You can find the latest guidance at Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage.

Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them with the claim:

• photographs of the completed work

The detailed requirements for this item will be tailored to the Higher Tier site. Higher Tier applicants should discuss and agree these requirements with their adviser.

Further information

Find more information about constructing high seats in The Deer Initiative’s best practice guide.

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Higher Tier, Higher Tier Capital Grants and Woodland tree health including how to apply.

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 14 February 2023 + show all updates

1. 13 February 2023

   This item is now available for Higher Tier Capital Grants

2. 8 March 2017

   Updated for 2017 applications.

3. 29 March 2016

   Information updated for applications in 2016.

4. 2 April 2015

   First published.