FG12 wooden gates

[Filthyfarmer]

How do we go about getting the specs changed to allow the use of metal gates under the grant?

We are claiming on a few within the fencing we are going to do but in a lot of places will put in metal ones. These being high usage gates and ones that ideally need 13 or 14ft gates for machinery.

They have allowed the use of metal, (clipex) fencing so the reason cannot be to keep the countryside looking rustic.

 

[Mixedupfarmer]

How do we go about getting the specs changed to allow the use of metal gates under the grant?

We are claiming on a few within the fencing we are going to do but in a lot of places will put in metal ones. These being high usage gates and ones that ideally need 13 or 14ft gates for machinery.

They have allowed the use of metal, (clipex) fencing so the reason cannot be to keep the countryside looking rustic.

And they are better for the environment long term, as they don't rot out after 5 years

 

[dannewhouse]

I had heard that the only exemption to allow metal gates was in estate style fencing where the gate would match in.

I'm hoping you can find a way to get normal metal gates as I've a lot to do as well and prefer metal.

I'm planning on using metal posts with hinges set for metal gates if the wood ones get replaced.

 

[DieselRob]

Can you claim for fencing without claiming for gates/gateposts or are they interlinked? So you can just put whatever gates in you want?

 

[Tucker]

Can you claim for fencing without claiming for gates/gateposts or are they interlinked? So you can just put whatever gates in you want?

I believe it's separate for gates, also, you can't claim for a gate that already exists, it has to be a new gateway, so I was told by the adviser anyway.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

Our farm gates were ALL metal. They were 12’ wide and made from 3/4” angle with six or seven bars decreasing in spacing towards the bottom. Hung on 7”x7” posts from the sawmill.
This was in 1958. It was a ‘model farm’ and quite likely had an article about it in FW at that time.
The three surrounding farms had the same gates. They were all locally made.
No one except Lordie, who had a Bentley or his agent who had an Austin Ambassador or the manager who had an A35 van, had cars. BSA combo’s were common and I remember peering out of the side-car as a small child.
It wasn’t until the mid 60’s that the woodland was fenced and paired wooden 7’ gates were fitted. This was for fire and deer control. My Dad had a stand at the Royal Show showing the four seasons in a painted display which portrayed Summer time as the greatest fire-risk time. As folk came out of London or suburbia and lit fires.
So IMO the ‘rustic’ look that your authorities are looking for is bolloks
SS

 

[Filthyfarmer]

Can you claim for fencing without claiming for gates/gateposts or are they interlinked? So you can just put whatever gates in you want?

Yes you can, they are separate on the capital grants and the gates have to be linked to hedgerow works of some sort on the boundary of the field claimed on. Only has to be a few meters to qualify.
We are claiming for 17 low use gates and the other 20 will be metal.

 

[Post Driver]

I have a customer who has it in writing from somebody at RPA that they can use metal. The argument being that the whole farm currently has 14ft metal gates and the 12ft wooden are too tight for large tractors and trailers to fit through. Also they are using all Clipex fencing so it will be in keeping

 

[dannewhouse]

I have a customer who has it in writing from somebody at RPA that they can use metal. The argument being that the whole farm currently has 14ft metal gates and the 12ft wooden are too tight for large tractors and trailers to fit through. Also they are using all Clipex fencing so it will be in keeping

How did they go about it?
I'm in the same boat

 

[CiderJan]

I'm putting in the very cheapest wood gates I can and working on replacing after 5 years with metal. Using crash barrier posts which I've had RPA approve before, so will just need gates changed. Can get basic 12' wood gates for ~£70, plus hangings ~£15 and crash barrier ~£90. Add ~£125 for labour and wooden rails etc. leaves £190 to replace with a metal gate in 5 years time!

Tried better quality wood gates before but being heavier they break just as quickly as the el cheapo ones.

Would be even better if I can get RPA to agree to metal gates from the off. There seems no good way to get the grant specs reviewed/improved to match modern farming practices.

 

[steveR]

Different scheme, but I managed to wangle steel gates on the grounds that the area flooded and timber would not last!

I had heard that the only exemption to allow metal gates was in estate style fencing where the gate would match in.

I'm hoping you can find a way to get normal metal gates as I've a lot to do as well and prefer metal.

I'm planning on using metal posts with hinges set for metal gates if the wood ones get replaced.

Do the job over several years, and keep moving the wooden one on, for each application, and replace it with a proper servicable steel gate...

 

[tepapa]

You need it in writing that they'll allow metal gates for a good reason before you sign your agreement. It's too late to get things changed once you've signed on that dotted line.

 

[Drillman]

I’m not grumbling about the gate grant but why oh why have they only allowed a single 12 footer to be used.
have the RPA no concept of how large modern kit is?

 

[dannewhouse]

Where's the spec saying only 12ft?

 

[Filthyfarmer]

Where's the spec saying only 12ft?

It doesn't, but you wouldn't find many suppliers of 13 or 14ft wooden gates at a sensible prices.

FG12: Wooden field gate

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the wooden field gate item.

www.gov.uk

 

[steveR]

It doesn't, but you wouldn't find many suppliers of 13 or 14ft wooden gates at a sensible prices.

FG12: Wooden field gate

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the wooden field gate item.

www.gov.uk

Twin gates?

Or just buy the steel gate yourself...

 

[Filthyfarmer]

Twin gates?

Or just buy the steel gate yourself...

Already said we’re funding our own metal ones, original question was why if metal fencing is being allowed, why not metal gates?

 

[steveR]

Already said we’re funding our own metal ones, original question was why if metal fencing is being allowed, why not metal gates?

Gotcha.

NE wallah told me when I did a project years ago, was that wooden gates were perceived to be more in keeping with a rural landscape project!!

I do not think that mindset will have alterered much in the meantime.

 

[General Disaster]

Twin gates?

Or just buy the steel gate yourself...

we’ve just had an application approved using twin wooden gates at all the “main” field gateways. Going to use 2 x 10’ gates at each.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

It doesn't, but you wouldn't find many suppliers of 13 or 14ft wooden gates at a sensible prices.

FG12: Wooden field gate

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the wooden field gate item.

www.gov.uk

That’s why we had 7’ pairs. Some were 8’ pairs but not often. If you can’t get an articulated timber tug through a 14’ opening then you really shouldn’t be in the cab driving it and the same goes for a tractor and trailer
SS