LV3: Hard bases for livestock drinkers

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the hard bases for livestock drinkers item.

From:
Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
Published
2 April 2015
Last updated
7 November 2023 — See all updates
Grant type:
Capital item
Land use:
Livestock management, Uplands, Water quality
Tiers or standalone items:
Higher Tier, Mid Tier, Standalone capital items
Funding (per unit per year):
£101 to £200

How much will be paid

£179.15 per base.

Where to use this item

Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants.

Only in areas targeted for the reduction of water pollution caused by farming, on sites where livestock have been excluded from stream or surface waters.

Where this item cannot be used

  • under livestock housing, roofs or cattle handling facilities that are not associated with feeding or drinking
  • within 10m of ditches, streams or waterways
  • on historic or archaeological features identified in the HEFER

How this item will benefit the environment

This item will provide hard bases where livestock can stand when drinking. This will reduce the risk of runoff and water pollution from mobilised sediments and organic manures.

Requirements

  • dig the soil to a depth of at least 150mm, or down to a naturally occurring hard surface
  • extend the dug area around the drinking trough to a width of at least 2.5m
  • lay a geotextile membrane over the area before placing the hardcore
  • compact the hardcore to a depth of at least 150mm, making sure it is well compacted
  • blind the finished hardcore to a depth of at least 50mm
  • edge the hard base with timber boards
  • make sure the base meets relevant British Standards - examine copies of the most up-to-date standards

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
  • photographs of site before works start

Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Mid Tier, Higher Tier or Capital Grants 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 site during the different stages of construction or contracts, invoices or other documents confirming the technical specification for the completed works
  • photographs of the completed works in place and installed

This item can be used on the same area as the following items:

Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this item

The following section gives advice on carrying out this item successfully but does not form part of the requirements for this item.

  • make sure the area chosen is a suitable size for the numbers of livestock

Further information

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

Updates to this page

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 7 November 2023 + show all updates

  1. Removal of text confirming LV3 Hard bases for livestock drinkers availability under Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants (SFI pilot), as the SFI Capital offer is no longer available.

  2. 'Where to use this item' section updated to include detail on SFI pilot.

  3. Added in links to Capital Grants manual as this option is now available for Capital Grants

  4. Information updated for applications in 2016.

  5. First published.

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