FY1: Deer high seat
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-03)

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the deer high seat item.

This item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Capital Grants 2025 guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-tier-capital-grants-2025) to understand the rules and how to apply. If you’re applying for this item as part of a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) application, you must read the CSHT applicant’s guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht) to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid

£265 per unit.

How this item benefits the environment

It provides a safe and temporary vantage point from which to cull deer, reducing the impact their browsing has on woodland.

Where you can use this item

With the agreement of the Forestry Commission, you can use this item either:
- if you have a management plan which identifies deer as a threat to woodland
- as part of a Woodland Tree Health grant (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/woodland-tree-health-grants-2025)
You cannot use this item where you have used deer fencing to fully enclose the eligible land area.

What you must do to use this item

You must:
- display a British Standard sign (or suitable equivalent) in a prominent location to prohibit public access from the high seat to comply with health and safety standards for non-authorised use
- make sure the seat has safety bars, is of an adequate size and is securely attached to an anchor point for authorised users
- protect the tree you are using as an anchor point to attach the seat – for example by using webbing strops rather than wire and nails
The high seat must be made from galvanised tubular or box-section steel. It’s better to install a free-standing seat, but you can install a lean-to seat. You can use an additional supplement FY8: Supplement to deer high seat (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/capital-grant-finder/fy8-supplement-for-a-freestanding-deer-high-seat) for free-standing seats.

For more information on installing deer high seats, read the Deer Initiative’s best practice guide High seats: culling deer (https://thedeerinitiative.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/High-Seats.pdf).

What the management plan must include

Your woodland management plan must identify that deer are a threat to the woodland’s condition. An approved species management plan for deer should detail control methods that require a deer high seat.

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:
- any consents or permissions connected with the work
- receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
- a Forestry Commission management plan approval letter
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 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agreement-holders-guide-capital-grants-higher-tier-capital-grants-and-protection-and-infrastructure-grants-2025) for more information.

If you’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 holder’s guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/countryside-stewardship-higher-tier-csht).

Other items and actions you can use with this item

Capital items

You can use this item with these items:

FG10: Temporary deer fencing (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/temporary-deer-fencing-fg10)

FG11: Deer exclosure plot (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/deer-exclosure-plot-fg11)

FG16: Deer pedestrian gate (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/fg16-deer-pedestrian-gate)

FG17: Deer vehicle gate (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/fg17-deer-vehicle-gate)

FY6: Restore coppicing in woodland (https://www.gov.uk/capital-grant-finder/fy6-restore-coppicing-in-woodland)

PA7: Species management plan (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/pa7-species-management-plan)

SM1: Training to control and manage deer (https://www.gov.uk/capital-grant-finder/sm1-training-to-control-and-manage-deer)

SM6: Using monitoring equipment to manage invasive species (https://www.gov.uk/capital-grant-finder/sm6-use-monitoring-equipment-to-manage-invasive-species)

Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier actions

You can use with CWS1: Deer control and management (https://draft-origin.publishing.service.gov.uk/find-funding-for-land-or-farms/cws1-deer-control-and-management?cachebust=xx-xxxx-xxxx)

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. It’s not part of this item’s requirements.

British Standards

Check to make sure the work meets relevant British Standards (https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/products-and-services/standards/).