RP20: Relocation of sheep dips and pens
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the relocation of sheep dips and pens item.
How much will be paid
£3,544.71 per unit.
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 from agriculture
- with support from a Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) officer
Where this item cannot be used
- to build new, permanent sheep dips and holding pens on a farm where there are no existing dipping facilities
- to replace existing equipment in the same location
- without relevant advice or consents from the Environment Agency (EA) or Local Planning Authority
How this item will benefit the environment
This item will install replacement sheep dips in new locations. Pollution from sheep dips can cause damage to people and aquatic wildlife. Relocating sheep dips can help reduce the risk of diffuse water pollution.
Requirements
- install a new sheep dip bath and holding pens
- dip baths must be impermeable, have no drain outlet and must comply with the Groundwater Protection Code
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dip baths and drain pens must be installed at least:
- 10m from watercourses (including streams, ditches, land drains and wetlands)
- 30m from watercourses that drain into protected conservation sites (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs))
- 50m from any spring, well or borehole
- meet relevant British Standards - examine copies of the most up-to-date standards for guidance
Do not:
- install the dip baths and pens on a slope, or at the top of one, where there is a risk that spillage might drain to a watercourse, road or track
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 the existing site and dipping facilities 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 completed work
Before applying, applicants must seek advice from the EA and Local Planning Authority to check if consent is required to carry out the planned work. You do not need to provide this with your application, but you will need to submit consents or permissions with your payment claim. Applicants will have to send the following with their application:
- written support from a CSF officer
Related Mid Tier and Capital Grants items
This item can be used on the same area as the following items:
- RP22 - Sheep dip drainage aprons and sumps
- RP23 - Installation of livestock drinking troughs (in draining pens for freshly dipped sheep)
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.
How to get a permit to discharge sheep dip
Agreement holders will need an environmental permit to discharge sheep dip to land. A variation to an existing permit may also be required if the location of the discharge area has changed.
How to construct the dip baths
The most effective dip baths should:
- be circular or rectangular
- be of one-piece construction
- be UV-resistant if they are made of plastic
- have splash screens and lips, if needed, to prevent splashing
- have a roof to prevent clean water from yards, roofs or land running into them
How to construct the drain pens
The most effective drain pens should:
- be large enough to hold sheep for at least 10 minutes after dipping
- have properly sealed floors and built-in slopes (allowing excess dip to drain back to the bath, rather than soaking into the ground, soil or a surface water drain)
- have concrete areas that are impermeable, with watertight sealed joints
- have a filter or trap to prevent dirt and dip draining back into the bath
How to avoid polluting the water supply
The back-siphoning of dip during filling can lead to water pollution. Make sure the hose for filling the bath:
- is not submerged in the bath
- has a double check valve to prevent back-siphoning
- is not used for domestic water supply purposes
How to protect the historic environment
Agreement holders should avoid using this item:
- close to a historic farmstead or listed building (get advice on listed building consent)
- on sites of archaeological or historic importance as identified in the HEFER (get advice on Scheduled Monument consent from Historic England, before using this item on such sites) Agreement holders should also consider the character of the landscape when constructing new fencing lines. This particularly applies in designated landscapes or historic parkland.
Agreement holders must consult Natural England if intending to install the dip on an SSSI.
Biodiversity
This item has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.
The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.
Further information
Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) operates in parts of the country where there are water quality issues linked to farming. The scheme provides farmers with free advice and training. See guidance for further information on CSF support.
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
Last updated 9 February 2021 + show all updates
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Added in links to Capital Grants manual as this option is now available for Capital Grants
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Information updated for applications in 2016
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First published.