FG9: Deer fencing Grant

About this grant

FG9 Deer fencing is a Capital item in England's Countryside Stewardship scheme, administered by the Rural Payments Agency and Natural England. It pays for fencing that protects newly created or existing woodland and wood pasture from deer browsing, which helps sustain the habitat and supports biodiversity and carbon capture. The item pays £10.27 per metre of fence. Fence specifications vary by deer species (roe, muntjac, red/sika/fallow). They cover end and turning post dimensions, strut and intermediate stake sizes, maximum stake spacing, minimum fence height and maximum mesh size. The page sets out installation duties: clear debris along the fence line, make the line smooth so there are no gaps for deer, inspect the fence regularly, and maintain it until the trees no longer need protection. Metal posts on Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier land require the adviser's agreement. For existing woodland, a management plan must clearly show that deer are present and pose a threat to the site. Projects protecting newly planted trees under capital item TE4 do not need a woodland management plan. Claims require photographs of the completed work, plus consents, receipted invoices or bank statements, and any Forestry Commission management plan approval letter. The item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026 and can be combined with other capital items and supplements, and with Higher Tier wood pasture actions. Use on woodland or agroforestry requires Forestry Commission agreement. Use on wood pasture requires Natural England agreement.

Eligibility

The page does not set out general applicant eligibility. It states that the item is available within Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026 and that applicants must read the Higher Tier Capital Grants 2026 guidance. Within Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) applications, the CSHT applicant's guide applies. Use is limited to woodland or agroforestry (with Forestry Commission agreement), wood pasture (with Natural England agreement), or tree protection within a Woodland Tree Health Grant combined with TE5. Existing woodland sites must have a management plan identifying deer as present and a threat. The SFI Capital offer for this item was withdrawn in November 2023.

Key requirements

• ✓Land must be in England and eligible under Natural England scheme
• ✓Applicant must meet eligibility criteria as specified in scheme
• ✓Fencing installation must meet Natural England's technical requirements

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for FG9: Deer fencing?

Eligibility covers organisations in GB; local-authority, nonprofit, charity, social-enterprise, individual, community-group. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Biodiversity funding backs habitat restoration, species protection, protected areas and nature-positive business. It comes from environment agencies, multilateral nature funds and conservation philanthropy, often through competitive calls with defined regions. Applicants are usually asked for baseline surveys, local partners and indicators that show ecological change.