RP15: Concrete yard renewal

How much you’llwill be paid paid

£33.64 per square metremetre. (m²).  

HowWhere this item benefits the environment

Upgrading existing outdoor (uncovered) yards improves how slurry and other effluents are managed and makes it easier to clean the yard. This reduces the risk of water and air pollution. 

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

Where you can use this item  item

YouAvailable canfor onlyCountryside useStewardship thisMid itemTier, withHigher supportTier fromand CatchmentCapital SensitiveGrants Farming:only:

• on farms targeted tofor reducethe reduction of water and air pollution from agriculture
• where renewing the concrete will reduce pollution, including keeping slurrydirty and water and effluent separate from clean water
• where the concrete coveringwill thebe yard is used to direct slurry,dirty contaminatedwater, watereffluent and effluentclean water into systemssuitable whichcontainment contain and managemanagement themsystems –which itcomply must(or complywill comply) with relevant legislation

with support from Catchment Sensitive Farming

Where providesthis adviceitem wherecannot therebe areused

• On watercovered quality or floodindoor riskyards
• Manure, issuessilage linkedor toslurry farming.      

  Youstores

• Areas musthousing contactlivestock
• On yourenvironmental, localhistoric planningor authorityarchaeological tofeatures getidentified adviceon andthe toFarm checkEnvironment ifRecord planning(FER), permissionthe isEnvironmental needed. 

  YouInformation cannotMap useor thisthe item:

  • onHistoric coveredEnvironment orFarm indoorEnvironmental yardsRecord (HEFER)
  • forWithout therelevant flooringadvice ofor silagepermission clamps,from manurethe orLocal slurryPlanning stores
  • inAuthority areas(if housing livestockrequired)
  • whereWhere the pollution issue or risk has been created within the past 5 yearsyears, (forfor example,example by development of new buildings)building(s)
  • whereWhere the proposal will lead to the expansion or intensification of yourthe businessenterprise
  • on

  How historicthis oritem archaeologicalwill featuresbenefit identifiedthe inenvironment

  It yourimproves Historicor Environmentupgrades Farmexisting Environmentoutdoor Record(uncovered) (HEFER)

• onyard areasdrainage ofto wildlifereduce interestfoul identifieddrainage onvolumes yourand Farmrunoff, Environmentmakes Recordcleaning (FER)easier orand onreduces MAGIC

Whatthe yourisk mustof dowater toand useair this itempollution.

Requirements

 YouYou must:

• construct an upgraded concrete base to makefacilitate itcleaning easier to clean and manage yard run-off, whilst not increasing the risk of silage or manure effluent effluent loss
• construct the base with concrete at(a leastminimum of 150 millimetres (mm) thickthick) on compacted and blinded hardcore that’sthat is at least 150mm thick
• reinforce the concrete base (for example, with weldmesh or structural fibres) to minimise cracking and distribute the loads exerted by livestock or farm vehicles
• lay the concrete in bays and treat all joints with sealant that’sthat is resistant to effluent damage
• only fully load the concrete when it achieves its design strength (after(equivalent to 28 days)day strength)
• make sure that all work meets relevant British Standards - examine copies of the most up-to-date standards for guidance

YouDo must not not:

• roof over (even at your own expense) an outside yard receiving aid through this item (even at your own expense).

EvidenceKeeping you must keep records

You must keepsend writtenthe supportfollowing fromwith your Catchmentapplication:

• written Sensitivesupport Farmingfrom adviser and provide with your application. 
  CSF

You must also keep the following records and providesupply them with your payment 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 in place and installed
• any consents or permissions from the localLocal planningPlanning authorityAuthority if required

You must also keep the following records and providesupply them on request:

• receipted invoices, or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
• photographs of site before works start
• any consents or permissions connected with the work (in addition to the ones providedstated with your claim)above)

 ReadPlease see the record keeping and siteinspection visit requirements inas theset Agreementout holder’sin guide:the Capitalrelevant Grants,guidance Mid Tier, Higher Tier capitalor Capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grantsGrants for more information.detail.

OtherRelated itemsMid youTier canand useCapital withGrants this itemitems

You can use this item withon thesethe same area as the following items:

• RP5:RP5 - Cross drains

• RP13:RP13 - Yard - underground drainage pipework

• RP14:RP14 - Yard inspection pit

• RP16:RP16 - Rainwater goods

• RP18:RP18 - Above ground tanks

Advice toand helpsuggestions youfor usehow to carry out this item

The following advice mayis helphelpful, you to use this item, but youthey doare not haverequirements tofor follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements.   item.

British Standards  

Check to make sure the work meets relevant British Standards.

Choosing a location

You can locateuse this item:

• in high traffic areas or in livestock movement and loafing areas within the curtilage of the farmyard
• on uncovered outdoor yards made of concrete, hardcore, stone, gravel, tarmac or bare earth
• to withinreduce foul drainage volumes and runoff, make cleaning easier and reduce the curtilagerisk of thewater farmyardand air pollution.
• to help separate clean and dirty water

KeepingGet cleanmore wateradvice

More detailed information about using this item is available through Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF).

Keep clean and slurrydirty water separate

YouDo should not let slurry,foul effluent or   contaminateddirty water mixcontaminate with clean water. Plan how to manage any additional runoff from the impermeable concrete area. ToYou do this, you may need to reassessrestructure thesome yardclean drainageand dirty drains, which may include adding :adding:

• cross drains
• catchpits
• gulliesgulleys
• kerbs
• sleeping policemen

ProtectingBiodiversity

This soil,item waterhas been identified as being beneficial for biodiversity. All Countryside Stewardship habitat creation, restoration and airmanagement fromoptions pollutionare 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.

ReadThe theconnectivity Codeof 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 Goodboth Agriculturalanimals Practiceand plants to adapt in response to environmental and climate change.

Further information

The Rivers Trust has further guidance on dirty water separation.

Catchment aboutSensitive protectingFarming soil,(CSF) operates in parts of the country where there are water quality issues linked to farming. The scheme provides farmers with free advice and airtraining. fromSee pollution.guidance for further information on CSF support.

Read more information about Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier, Higher Tier or Capital Grants to find out more about the scheme and how to apply.