RP16: Rainwater goods

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the rainwater goods item.

From:
Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
Published
2 April 2015
Last updated
9 February 2021 — See all updates
Grant type:
Capital item
Land use:
Biodiversity, Flood risk, Uplands and Water quality
Tiers or standalone items:
Higher Tier, Mid Tier and Standalone capital items
Funding (per unit per year):
Up to £100

How much will be paid

£11.55 per metre.

Where to use this item

Available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants.

Only:

  • in areas targeted for the reduction of water pollution from agriculture

Where this item cannot be used

  • for guttering and downpipes on proposed new buildings
  • on covered or indoor yards

How this item will benefit the environment

New guttering and downpipes (rainwater goods) will prevent the discharge of clean water on to fouled yard areas, which will help reduce risk of water pollution.

Requirements

  • install new guttering and downpipes on existing farm yard buildings
  • direct clean water from rainwater goods into a clean water drain
  • ensure that all work meets relevant British Standards - examine copies of the most up-to-date standards for guidance

Keeping records

Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them on request:

  • any consents or permissions connected with the work
  • receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
  • photographs of site before works start

Please see the record keeping and inspection requirements as set out in the relevant Mid Tier, Higher Tier or Capital Grants guidance for more detail. You can find the latest guidance at Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage.

Agreement holders will need to keep the following records and supply them with the claim:

  • photographs of the completed work

This item can be used on the same area as the following items:

Advice and suggestions for how to carry out this item

The following section gives advice on carrying out this item successfully but does not form part of the requirements for this item.

Listed and historic buildings

This item could be detrimental if used close to a historic farmstead or listed building. The nature and historic value of the existing surfaces should be taken into consideration. Get advice on whether listed building consent is needed.

Biodiversity

This item has been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and management options are of great significance for biodiversity recovery, as are the wide range of arable options in the scheme. Capital items and supplements can support this habitat work depending on the holding’s situation and potential.

The connectivity of habitats is also very important and habitat options should be linked wherever possible. Better connectivity will allow wildlife to move/colonise freely to access water, food, shelter and breeding habitat, and will allow natural communities of both animals and plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.

Further information

Check the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) website for more information on effective use of water on dairy farms.

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) operates in parts of the country where there are water quality issues linked to farming. The scheme provides farmers with free advice and training. See guidance for further information on CSF support

Read Countryside Stewardship: get funding to protect and improve the land you manage to find out more information about Mid Tier, Higher Tier and Capital Grants including how to apply.

Updates to this page

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 9 February 2021 + show all updates

  1. Added in links to Capital Grants manual as this option is now available for Capital Grants

  2. Information updated for applications in 2016

  3. First published.

Contents

Related content