RP14: Yard inspection pit
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-03)

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the yard inspection pit item.

This item is part of Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Capital Grants 2025 guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/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

£200 per unit.

How this item benefits the environment

This item improves existing outdoor yards, reducing the risk of runoff and water pollution.

This item can help you protect, recover and improve biodiversity on your land.

Where you can use this item

You can only use this item with support from Catchment Sensitive Farming: (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/catchment-sensitive-farming-reduce-agricultural-water-pollution)
- in areas targeted for the reduction of water pollution from agriculture
- where the existing uncovered yards are made from concrete, hard core, tarmac or bare earth
Catchment Sensitive Farming provides advice where there are water quality or flood risk issues linked to farming.

You must get advice from the Environment Agency (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-need-an-environmental-permit) to check if you need consents or permits before you start work.

You may need approval if the works are both:
- designed to transfer slurry or silage effluent
- need to meet water resources control of water pollution regulations
You cannot use this item on covered or indoor yards.

What you must do to use this item

You must build an inspection pit or a catch pit:
- with an internal area of at least 0.36 square metres (m2)
- with a pit opening of at least 600 millimetres (mm) in diameter
- on a concrete base that is at least 250mm thick, with block walls rendered internally and externally
Construct the pit walls with:
- solid concrete blocks at least 200mm thick
- engineering brickwork at least 200mm thick
- proprietary precast reinforced concrete
- proprietary plastic or uPVC liner with a concrete surround at least 150mm thick
You must also:
- install all items according to the manufacturer’s instructions to support the weight of traffic going over it
- design the cover and frame to carry a load appropriate to its situation – for example, this must be at least 10 kilo newtons per m2 in high traffic areas
- embed the cover and frame securely so it’s level with (or is below) the surrounding surface
- build at least 10 metres (m) away from a slurry or silage store if this item has an open grating
For inspection pits:
- the inspection pit channel must be benched half round, equal in diameter to the largest inlet pipe and extending the full length of the pit
- the side connections must discharge in the direction of flow of the main channel
For catch pits:
- install a pluggable catch pit and sump (at least 450mm deep with a submersible pump) at the point where clean drainage water leaves the yard
- monitor the drainage water for contaminants
Evidence you must keep

You must keep written support from your Catchment Sensitive Farming adviser and provide this with your application.

You must also keep and provide with your claim:
- photographs of the site during the different stages of construction or contracts, invoices or other documents confirming the technical specification for the completed works
- photographs of the completed works
- any consents or permissions connected with the work
You must also keep and provide on request:
- receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
- photographs of the site before works start
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, 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 you can use with this item

You can use this item with these items:
- RP5 Cross drains (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/cross-drains-rp5)
- RP13: Yard - underground drainage pipework (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/yard-underground-drainage-pipework-rp13)
- RP15: Concrete yard renewal (https://www.gov.uk/countryside-stewardship-grants/concrete-yard-renewal-rp15)
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.

More detailed information about using this item is available through Catchment Sensitive Farming. You may also be able to request an infrastructure audit, slurry and manure handling plan, or pesticide handling or washdown facilities design plan.

British Standards

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

Separating water and slurry

Read about separating water and slurry at the Rivers Trust (https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets.theriverstrust.org/Legacy-uploads/Organic-by-products-6.0-1.pdf).