Site visits and practical advice
We can inspect the proposed feeding area and discuss access, ground conditions, drainage, livestock numbers and the most suitable approach for the site.
Capital Grant Livestock
LV4 Hard Bases for Livestock Feeders in Lincolnshire
Capital Grant hard-standing for livestock feeding areas
Services Detail
Professional LV4 Hard Base Installation
MES Rural provides professional LV4 hard base installation across Lincolnshire, helping farmers, landowners and estate managers complete eligible livestock infrastructure projects connected with the government’s Capital Grants scheme.
LV4 funding supports the construction of hard-standing around livestock feeders. A properly constructed base provides livestock with firm standing ground and helps reduce poaching, manure-contaminated runoff and agricultural water pollution.
From excavating the area to installing the geotextile membrane, compacted hardcore, finished surface and timber edging, we provide a practical service tailored to your site and grant agreement.
We work throughout Lincolnshire, including Louth, Alford, Skegness, Hogsthorpe and the surrounding rural areas.
LV4 Hard Bases
What Is an LV4 Hard Base?
LV4 is a capital grant item available through the government’s Capital Grants scheme. It provides a fixed payment towards the construction of hard-standing around a livestock feeder.
Areas around livestock feeders can quickly become muddy and heavily poached as animals gather to feed. This can damage the soil and increase the risk of sediment, manure and contaminated runoff reaching nearby watercourses.
An LV4 hard base creates a stable standing area around the feeder, helping to:
- Reduce soil poaching and compaction
- Provide livestock with firmer standing ground
- Reduce muddy conditions around feeding points
- Limit sediment and manure-contaminated runoff
- Reduce the risk of agricultural water pollution
- Protect surrounding soil and grassland
- Improve the long-term condition of livestock feeding areas
- Make frequently used feeding points easier to manage
LV4 is specifically intended for hard-standing around a livestock feeder. If you require a hard base around a drinking trough, the appropriate item is LV3 Hard Bases for Livestock Drinkers.
Capital Grant Estimate
LV4 Capital Grant Calculator
Enter the proposed number of eligible hard bases to see an estimated grant contribution.
Current 2026 payment rate: £290.63 per base
Estimated Claim
£0.00
Enter the number of hard bases to calculate the estimate.
This calculator provides an estimate only. Payment rates, eligibility criteria and scheme requirements can change. Check the latest official guidance before applying or beginning work.
Grant Contribution
Current LV4 Payment Rate
Under the 2026 Capital Grants scheme, the payment rate for LV4 hard bases is £290.63 per base.
This is a fixed contribution towards each eligible base and may not cover the full cost of materials, excavation, preparation and installation.
For example:
| Number of bases | Estimated grant contribution |
|---|---|
| 1 base | £290.63 |
| 2 bases | £581.26 |
| 5 bases | £1,453.15 |
| 10 bases | £2,906.30 |
The final amount will depend on the number of eligible bases included in your agreement and successfully completed in accordance with the scheme requirements.
Suitable Locations
Where Can LV4 Be Used?
LV4 can be used in areas targeted for reducing water pollution caused by farming.
The base should be appropriately sized for the number and type of livestock expected to use the feeding point.
LV4 cannot be used:
- Under livestock housing or roofed structures
- Beneath cattle-handling facilities
- Within 10 metres of a ditch, stream or waterway
- On historic or archaeological features recorded in the Historic Environment Farm Environment Record
The proposed location and eligibility should be confirmed before work begins.
Grant Specification
LV4 Hard Base Requirements
An LV4 hard base must meet the specification set out in the agreement and current government guidance.
The installation requirements include:
- Excavating the soil to a depth of at least 150 millimetres, or down to a naturally occurring hard surface
- Extending the excavated area around the feeder to a width of at least 2.5 metres
- Laying a geotextile membrane over the excavated area
- Installing and compacting hardcore to a depth of at least 150 millimetres
- Adding at least 50 millimetres of level, dry sand or concrete over the hardcore as a finished working surface
- Edging the completed hard base with timber boards
The base must provide enough space for the number of livestock expected to use the feeder. It should be constructed carefully to create a firm, level standing area while helping to control runoff and erosion.
The exact materials, measurements and construction method should be checked against the current LV4 specification before work begins.
Compare Grant Items
The Difference Between LV3 and LV4
LV3 and LV4 have similar construction requirements, but they are designed for different types of livestock infrastructure.
| Grant item | Purpose | 2026 payment rate |
|---|---|---|
| LV3 | Hard base around a livestock drinking trough | £179.15 per base |
| LV4 | Hard base around a livestock feeder | £290.63 per base |
The higher LV4 payment reflects the different requirements associated with creating hard-standing around a feeding area.
You should apply for the item that matches the purpose of the proposed base. If a project includes separate feeding and drinking locations, both items may be required.
Combined Grant Items
Using LV4 with Other Livestock Grant Items
The official LV4 guidance confirms that it can be used with the following items where the work is eligible:
Each item has its own eligibility conditions, payment rate and technical specification. Any additional items required for your project should be included in your Capital Grant application and agreement.
MES Rural
How MES Rural Can Help
Grant-funded hard bases must be carefully constructed and meet the required dimensions and material specifications. MES Rural can support your project from the initial site visit through to completion.
Ground excavation
We can excavate the base area to the required depth or down to a naturally occurring hard surface.
Geotextile membrane installation
A suitable geotextile membrane can be laid across the excavated area before the hardcore is installed.
Compacted hardcore base
We can supply, install and compact the required depth of hardcore to create a stable foundation.
Finished working surface
The base can be completed with the required layer of level, dry sand or concrete to provide a suitable working surface.
Timber edging
We can install timber boards around the hard base to retain the materials and create a tidy finish.
Photographs and itemised invoices
We can take photographs during the different stages of construction and after completion. Clear invoices can also be provided to help you maintain appropriate records for your claim.
Across Lincolnshire
LV4 Hard Base Projects in Lincolnshire
Our livestock feeding-area groundwork is suitable for a range of rural locations, including:
- Working livestock farms
- Cattle and sheep fields
- Outdoor feeding areas
- Grazing land and paddocks
- Smallholdings
- Country estates
- Managed grassland
- Water-quality improvement projects
Every location is different, so we assess the proposed feeding point, livestock requirements, access, drainage and ground conditions before providing a quotation.
Before You Apply
Important Capital Grant Information
Applications for LV4 funding are made through the Rural Payments service. The applicant or agreement holder is responsible for:
- Confirming that the land and proposed work are eligible
- Applying for the appropriate capital grant items
- Obtaining any necessary permissions or consents
- Following the specification contained in the agreement
- Keeping photographs from the different construction stages
- Retaining the required invoices and financial records
- Submitting the completed claim to the Rural Payments Agency
MES Rural provides quotations and installation services. We can also supply photographs and invoices relating to our work. However, we cannot confirm eligibility or guarantee that an application or claim will be approved.
The Rural Payments Agency requires photographs of the site at different stages of construction or other documents confirming the technical specification. Photographs of the completed work must also be provided with the claim.
Always read the current LV4 guidance and your individual agreement before arranging the work.
Request a Quotation
Get a Quote for an LV4 Hard Base in Lincolnshire
If you are planning an LV4 hard base for a livestock feeder, MES Rural can provide a site visit, practical advice and a clear installation quotation.
We construct hard-standing for livestock feeding areas across Lincolnshire for farms, estates, smallholdings and other rural sites.
Contact MES Rural to discuss your project and arrange a quotation.
You can also explore our agricultural and groundcare services, rural fencing services and recent projects.
How It Works
Our LV4 Hard Base Process
Step 1
Initial Enquiry
Contact MES Rural with the location of the project, the number of proposed bases and any relevant grant or agreement information.
Step 2
Site Visit and Quotation
We can visit the site to assess access, drainage, ground conditions, the proposed feeder location and the practical installation requirements.
Step 3
Agree the Work
We will provide a clear quotation outlining the proposed excavation, materials and construction work. You should check that the specification matches your grant agreement before confirming the installation.
Step 4
Construct the Hard Base
Our team will excavate the area and install the geotextile membrane, compacted hardcore, finished working surface and timber edging.
Step 5
Supporting Records
We can take photographs during construction and after completion, as well as provide a clear invoice for your project records.
Relevant Services
Related Capital Grant Livestock Services
LV3 Hard Bases for Livestock Drinkers
Hard-standing around livestock drinking troughs to provide firm footing, reduce poaching and help limit polluted runoff.
LV7 Livestock Troughs
New livestock drinking troughs that provide a reliable water supply and help reduce livestock access to watercourses.
LV8 Livestock Trough Pipework
Underground water-supply pipework for eligible livestock drinking troughs, including protected track and ditch crossings.
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