Rural Payments and Services

Well-placed seats allow people to stop, rest and enjoy the view, and also provide resting places for elderly and disabled people dealing with gradients or difficult stretches.

A perch seat is a simple informal structure providing an individual leaning / semi-seated resting point by a path.

A bench seat provides a larger but still simple resting point.

Any land is eligible. The seats should be close to an upgraded or new path.

Perch seat:

• may be constructed from treated timber, recycled plastic or steel
• seat should be placed close to the path
• seat should be planed and round-edged, and free draining, with galvanised screws or bolts countersunk
• main leg(s) should be sturdy, minimum 100x100 millimetre section if timber, in holes backfilled with well-rammed earth and stones, plus concrete if required, and with larger rocks wedged at toe and heel of the upright to prevent movement
• height of the seat should be between 550 and 750 millimetres above a firm, level surface
• you must maintain a diary of photographic evidence of the construction phase, to include the works below ground level

For example, see Countryside Access Design Guide sheet 7.2

Bench seat:

• bench seat without backrest, of treated timber, recycled plastic or steel
• seat should be placed close to the path
• seat should be planed and round-edged, and free draining, with galvanised screws or bolts countersunk
• legs should be sturdy, minimum 75x75 millimetre section if timber, in holes backfilled with well-rammed earth and stones, plus concrete if required
• height of the seat should be between 450 and 520 millimetres above a level and firm ground surface
• you must maintain a diary of photographic evidence of the construction phase, to include the works below ground level

For example, see Countryside Access Design Guide sheet 7.3

You can claim:

• perch seat: £200 each
• bench seat: £350 each

The inspectors will check:

• the location and extent of the work

Perch seat:

• is constructed from treated timber, recycled plastic or steel, and is placed close to the path
• seat is planed and round-edged, and free draining, with galvanised screws or bolts countersunk
• main leg(s) is minimum 100x100 millimetre section if timber, in holes backfilled with well-rammed earth and stones, plus concrete if required, and with larger rocks wedged at toe and heel of the upright to prevent movement
• height of the seat is between 550 and 750 millimetres above a firm, level surface
• you have maintained a diary of photographic evidence of the construction phase, to include the works below ground level

Bench seat:

• a bench seat without backrest, of treated timber, recycled plastic or steel, placed close to the path
• seat is planed and round-edged, and free draining, with galvanised screws or bolts countersunk
• legs are minimum 75x75 millimetre section if timber, in holes backfilled with well-rammed earth and stones, plus concrete if required
• height of the seat is between 450 and 520 millimetres above a level and firm ground surface
• you have maintained a diary of photographic evidence of the construction phase, to include the works below ground level