Interested in the new Slurry Infrastructure grant? The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has now published full guidance about Round 1 of this highly anticipated scheme. The RPA also announced applications open on 6 December and close on 31 January 2023, so it’s time to get your ducks (or cows) in a row!
The Slurry Infrastructure grant has been designed to encourage farmers to store and use slurry in a safe, efficient way. The aim is to maximise crop nutrition and minimise nutrient losses into the environment.
We understand grants will be from £25,000 up to £250,000. This will comprise a 50% grant paid in arrears, with monies to be used to add new, replace existing, or upgrade currently compliant storage so the farm has 6 months covered slurry storage.
The grant will provide funding based on current stock numbers. But if the farm increases stocking rate, then 6 months’ storage must be maintained for the life of the grant funding agreement.
Funds can be used towards pipework and items such as macerator pumps or safety fencing, but not towards planning permissions.
Applying for the Slurry Infrastructure grant
The application is a two-stage process, the first being to check the eligibility of the proposal and the second being the full application once your initial proposal has been accepted.
As with all grants, the Slurry Infrastructure grant is competitive and will be awarded according to a range of criteria. This includes such being in a priority area, and the level of positive environmental impact delivered by your proposed project.
The blue zones on the map above have been designated as priority areas. You can take a closer look at these areas by viewing the interactive map on the Defra website. (In the left-hand Table of Contents select Land Based Schemes > Other Schemes > Slurry Infrastructure Grant – Round 1.)
The RPA will first assess proposals according to location and whether it falls within a priority area. They will then go through a checklist of criteria and ask you to make a full application only if your proposal makes the grade.
Please note you can still submit a proposal even if your farm is not within a priority area. If the RPA don’t receive enough proposals from within priority areas, they will then consider other proposals on their merits and invite applications accordingly. (Please also note there will be further opportunities to make grant applications in the future, so if you miss out this time it may be worth applying again later.)
How AssetSphere can help
We can help you through the initial process of establishing if you meet the scheme’s criteria. If you do, and if your initial proposal is then deemed eligible by the RPA, we can assist with the critical task of completing the full application.
Of course, even if your application is successful and a grant is awarded, there is more to do before payments are made.
So, to help secure your payment, we provide practical, expert help with organising and submitting all the information and evidence required by the RPA. This may include gaining planning permission for new infrastructure, or obtaining quotations, invoices and other financial evidence.