Exciting News: Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant Round 1 Applications Open!
Tuesday 16th of July 2024 | Posted In: Renewable energy

Exciting News: Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant Round 1 Applications Open!

We are excited to announce the opening of applications for the Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant Round 1, a significant initiative by Defra to improve the quality of life of laying hens in England. This grant, managed by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), supports projects aimed at upgrading existing housing or adding verandas.

Online Checker Now Live!

The first stage of the application process is live with an online checker to determine eligibility and project alignment with funding priorities. Start your application process by using the online checker.

Key Dates

The online checker closes at 11:59pm on 18th September 2024.

Eligible applicants will be invited to submit full applications starting from October 2024.

Grant Coverage

The grant covers up to 40% of eligible costs, supporting both comprehensive projects (from £37,500 to £500,000) and veranda-only projects (from £12,500 to £100,000).

Existing farm businesses must have at least 1,000 birds to be eligible for the grant and any businesses with greater than 40,000 birds will require an environmental permit.

The minimum grant amount for comprehensive projects does not include costs associated with rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems but the grant can fund up to 25% of eligible costs based on a power requirement of 5 kilowatts per 1,000 birds within the housing.

The grant application does not need to include a rooftop solar PV system, but it will contribute towards the grant funding priority of enhancing environmental sustainability.

How NFU Energy Can Help

NFU Energy offers comprehensive support, including:

  • Environmental Permitting: Assistance with obtaining necessary permits and ongoing compliance.
  • Rooftop Solar PV Installation: Access to technical advice and accredited installers to assist in securing required quotes.
  • Application Guidance: Expert guidance to maximise your chances of securing the grant.

For more details, visit our dedicated Laying Hen Housing for Health and Welfare Grant Round 1 grant page to learn how NFU Energy can assist you with your project.

Start enhancing the welfare of your hens today by checking your eligibility and preparing your application!