FG16: Deer pedestrian gate

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the Deer pedestrian gate option.

From:
Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
Published
9 February 2021
Last updated
16 October 2025 — See all updates
Grant type:
Capital item
Areas of interest:
Woodland

This item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Higher Tier Capital Grants 2025 guidance to understand the rules and how to apply.

If youā€™re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the CSHT applicantā€™s guide to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much youā€™ll be paidĀ 

Ā Ā£475.44 per gate.

How this item benefits the environment

It protects trees from deer browsing and damage. It also helps you manage deer on your land.

Where you can use this itemĀ 

You can use this item as part of a Woodland Tree Health grant.

You cannot use this item:

  • with a temporary deer fence
  • on historic or archaeological features, as identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER)

What you must do to use this item

You must:

  • install the deer fence prior to planting any trees ā€“ youā€™ll need to meet
  • ensure the gate is a minimum of 0.9 metres (m) wide ā€“ do not use the hanging posts as an end strainer
  • install hanging posts following , and make sure theyā€™re suitably compacted ā€“ there must be
  • maintain the gates so deer cannot enter the land until the trees no longer require protection

Hanging post dimensions must be a minimum of:

  • 2.8m by 120 to 180 millimetres (mm) diameter for Red, Sika and Fallow deer
  • 2.8m by 100 to 130mm for Roe and Muntjac deer

You must also use the following specifications for the height of the gate and the size of the mesh (minimum gate height (in m) and maximum mesh size (in mm)):

  • Red and Sika 1.8m, 200mm by 300mm
  • Fallow 1.8m, 200mm by 220mm
  • Roe 1.5m, 200mm by 150mm
  • Muntjac 1.5m, 80mm by 80m

When to use wooden wings for gates

You can use wooden wings to make sure the gates are deer proof for the full width of a gap where necessary. For example, where a gateway is adjacent to a ditch. These are only likely necessary where theyā€™re already a feature of the landscape. You should make sure each wing consists of rails or fencing mesh meets .

Evidence you must keepĀ 

You must keep and provide on request:

  • receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
  • any consents or permissions connected with the work

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement Holderā€™s guide: Woodland Tree Health grants 2025 for more information.

If youā€™re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the CSHT agreement holderā€™s guide.

Advice to help you use this item

The following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. Itā€™s not part of this itemā€™s requirements.Ā 

Contact your local Forestry Commission adviser for more advice.

Updates to this page

Published 9 February 2021
Last updated 16 October 2025 show all updates

  1. You cannot use this item on historic or archaeological features, as identified in your Historic Environment Farm Environment Record (HEFER).

  2. This item is part of Woodland Tree Health Grants 2025. It is not available in Higher Tier Capital Grants at this time.

  3. General improvement for clarity.

  4. Removal of text confirming FG16 Deer pedestrian gate availability under Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants (SFI pilot), as the SFI Capital offer is no longer available.

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

  6. First published.

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