Overview:
The Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant Round 1 aims to enhance the health and welfare of laying hens in England. Announced on 14 May 2024, this grant forms part of Defra’s Animal Health and Welfare Pathway and is administered by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). The grant supports both comprehensive projects, which involve replacing or upgrading existing housing, and veranda-only projects, which add a veranda to existing housing. These initiatives are designed to provide significant animal health and welfare benefits.
Online Checker Timeline:
The first stage of the application process has now opened, allowing applicants to use an online checker to determine eligibility and assess how well their projects align with funding priorities. Click here to view the online checker.
Timeline for Full Applications:
The RPA expect to start to invite eligible applicants to make a full application from October 2024 for both veranda-only projects and Comprehensive projects.
Grant Coverage:
The grant covers housing for laying hens and pullets, including comprehensive projects for replacing or refurbishing existing housing, and veranda-only projects. Comprehensive projects can include rooftop solar PV systems, which must adhere to specific power requirements (5 kW per 1,000 birds, up to 25% of eligible costs). This contributes to the grant’s environmental sustainability goals.
Funding Limits:
Comprehensive projects: Minimum grant of £15,000 (40% of £37,500), maximum grant of £500,000 per applicant.
Veranda-only projects: Minimum grant of £5,000 (40% of £12,500), maximum grant of £100,000 per applicant.
Grants can cover up to 40% of eligible project costs, with applicants responsible for securing the remaining funding from other eligible sources. The total budget for this grant is £22million.
Eligibility:
Applicants must ensure they have the necessary planning permissions and environmental permits before submitting a full application. Sites with more than 40,000 birds, or those increasing to this number, will likely need an environmental permit variation. Mentioning the project as part of the Defra Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare grant on applications is crucial.
How can NFU Energy help?
At NFU Energy, we offer comprehensive support to poultry farmers applying for the Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant:
Environmental Permitting: We assist with obtaining the necessary environmental permissions, which are required as part of the grant application, including varying intensive farming poultry permits and obtaining standalone permits. We also offer ongoing compliance management and assistance to ensure your project complies with the relevant legal regulations.
Rooftop Solar Installation: Our Renewable Energy Solutions service provides one-stop-shop access to accredited renewable energy installers, finance, and insurance. We can secure all the necessary quotes required as usually these applications need three quotes minimum.
Application Guidance: Our experts guide you through the application process, helping you navigate eligibility requirements and funding priorities to maximise your chances of securing the grant.