FG10: Temporary deer fencing

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the temporary deer fencing item.

• From: Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
• Published: 2 April 2015
• Last updated: 3 February 2025 — 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): Up to £100

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.

How much you’ll be paid 

£8.09 per metre (m).

How this item benefits the environment

Protecting newly coppiced woodland from deer browsing supports a wider woodland management project.

Where you can use this item 

You can use this item on either:

• newly created woodland
• existing woodland
• woodland where you have a woodland tree health agreement or plan

If this item is used on an existing woodland site, the management plan needs to identify that deer are present on the site in large numbers and are a threat to it.

You cannot use this item on newly planted woodland supported by TE4: Supply and plant tree or TE5: Supplement for the use of tree shelters.

What you must do to use this item

You must install a fence, ensuring it:

• protects newly coppiced woodland
• meets the specifications set out in the table below and in the Forestry Commission practice note: Recommendations for fallow, roe and muntjac deer fencing
• is erected as soon as possible after coppicing has taken place and before stools have started to grow again
• has a line that’s smooth enough and clear of debris so the bottom of the fence sits flush with the ground
• is maintained so deer cannot enter the land until the coppice re-growth is large enough that it no longer needs protecting
• meets the right specifications for the species of deer present

Specifications for the height and mesh size of temporary fences

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

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
• a Forestry Commission plan approval letter
• 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.

Other items you can use with this item

You can use this item with FY1: Deer high seat

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 3 February 2025 + show all updates

1. 3 February 2025

   General improvement for clarity.

2. 7 November 2023

   Removal of text confirming FG10 Temporary deer fencing availability under Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants (SFI pilot), as the SFI Capital offer is no longer available.

3. 13 February 2023

   This item is now available for Higher Tier Capital Grants

4. 1 February 2022

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

5. 8 March 2017

   Updated for 2017 applications.

6. 29 March 2016

   Information updated for applications in 2016.

7. 2 April 2015

   First published.