New Wales grant opens for farm roofing projects

Welsh farmers can now apply for up to £15,000 towards roofing livestock and manure storage areas under the Small Infrastructure Grant.

The scheme offers funding for new roofing over existing livestock feeding areas, livestock gathering areas and manure storage areas.

Support is available at a standard cost of £40 per square metre of roof installed, with a minimum grant award of £3,000.

The maximum available is £15,000 per Customer Reference Number (CRN) in each financial year.

Farmers considering an application are being urged to assess the wider project requirements before work progresses, particularly where planning or drainage approvals may be needed.

Planning permission and Sustainable Drainage Approval Body (SAB) approval must be in place where required before the grant can be claimed.

Checking those requirements at an early stage could help identify potential issues and ensure proposed work meets the relevant criteria before farmers commit to a project.

Applicants will also need to consider how the roofing work fits with existing buildings, drainage arrangements and any other permissions that may apply.

The grant is aimed at supporting improvements to existing livestock and manure handling areas rather than funding entirely new facilities.

Farmers are therefore advised to check the eligibility of their proposed work carefully and establish what approvals are required before proceeding.

The Small Infrastructure Grant is now open for applications in Wales.

Farmers considering a project should make sure any necessary planning and SAB approvals are secured before seeking payment under the scheme.