Land & Business April 2024

The magazine for CLA members

What the spring budget means for members

CLA win: agricultural propertyrelief

The government announced that land managed under environmental agreements will qualify for APR following years of CLA lobbying

22 TIPS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

Key considerations for members looking at a new business diversification

30 LAND TRANSACTIONS

High demand, low supply – trends in the farmland market

38 PLANTING THE FUTURE

A CLA member’s woodland planting project to restore nature and sequester carbon

7 WELCOME President’s briefing

8 NEWS

12 LOBBYING

Eleanor Wood sets out the halting timeline of the Renters Reform Bill and its long legislative process

15 WALES UPDATE

Welsh Government needs to address the concerns of the agricultural sector in developing a Sustainable Farming Scheme Advice

16 SPRING BUDGET

CLA experts analyse the key announcements and what they mean for members

18 CLA WIN: AGRICULTURAL PROPERTY RELIEF

Jack Burroughs explains the government decision to extend APR to cover certain environmental activity from next April

20 THE LATEST ON SHORT-TERM LETS

An overview of the current developments affecting short-term lets in England and Wales

22 TOP TIPS FOR BUSINESS DIVERSIFICATION

As more businesses consider diversification, we highlight key areas to consider

20

24 FARM CARBON CALCULATORS EXPLAINED

The benefits of farm carbon calculators, how they work and how to choose the right one for your business

27 THE GREEN BELT EXPLAINED

The second in our three-part

16

22

article series looks at what a review of the green belt means for members

Features

30 HIGH DEMAND, LOW SUPPLY

What the latest land transactions in England and Wales reveal about the farmland market

32 LIFE BEYOND THE MILITARY

How a national military charity is helping those leaving active service move towards a new career

34 FINDING BUSINESS BALANCE

How CLA member Ian Griffiths balance different elements of his diverse rural businesses

38

in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

36 RURAL DIVERSIFICATION POTENTIAL

A member in the south east has maximised the potential of his 220 acres of land

38 PLANTING THE FUTURE

Welford Park has planted more than 10,000 tree saplings as part of its role in tackling climate change and restoring nature

40 NATURE’S PRESCRIPTION FOR WELLBEING

The Straw Patch Project, which benefited from a CLA Charitable Trust grant, uses nature based activities to improve wellbeing

42 A FIELD OF GOLD

CLA members in Shropshire have created a daffodil field to raise money for Marie Curie UK

45

Your CLA

47

50

What’s happening where you are

The last word

70 COUNTRY VIEW

Brian Martin exposes the hidden dangers plastics pose to nature

Compostable magazine wrap

Land & Business magazine is delivered in an environmentally friendly, 100% compostable wrapper made out of potato starch. Members are encouraged to dispose of the wrapper in the following ways:

Adding to a well-maintained garden compost heap

Placing it in your garden waste bin

Using it to line your food waste caddy

Membership queries

If you have a query relating to your membership of the CLA please contact your local office. All contact details can be found online at cla.org.uk

Rural business diversifications are appealing for many CLA members in England and Wales as farming income streams continue to be restructured towards environmental schemes. Once the Basic Payment Scheme is phased out, CLA research indicates that members in England will experience a shortfall of £935m, with a £134m shortfall in Wales.

Diversification could help plug the income gap, broaden your business portfolio and offer an opportunity to capitalise on natural assets and attractions unique to your area. The possibilities can seem endless and can cover many different opportunities, from tourism and renewable energy to new crops and woodland, so it is important to carefully consider all aspects – including time, energy and available capital – before

Editor Jasmin McDermott | 020 7460 7979 jasmin.mcdermott@cla.org.uk

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Fora, 9 Dallington

Art

embarking on a new venture. We have prepared a guide outlining the top 10 tips to help members get started – check it out on page 22.

Don’t forget that the CLA’s advisory team is on hand to discuss your plans and offer practical guidance and considerations to help turn your vision into a reality – get in touch with your local office.

In this edition, we feature some unique business diversifications from our members, which may offer ideas for your business. From camping and outdoor education to military vehicles, a business park and woodland, they all complement ongoing farming operations - check out pages 34, 36 and 38.

I hope you enjoy the read.

Jasmin McDermott, Editor, Land &

Business

DO YOU OWN OUR NEXT VENUE?

Cripps Barn Group is the UK’s leading operator of wedding barns. We are always looking for exceptional properties to develop and operate in partnership with landowners.

If you own a property which you think might be suitable, or a site which might be good for a purpose-built venue, please get in touch and we would be delighted to have a look.

For more information, please visit www.crippsandco.com/build

with Victoria Vyvyan

President’s Briefing Getting things done

The tendency in lobbying circles is to criticise the government rather than praise it.

Praise does not secure a headline in a major newspaper. Praise does not secure a meeting with the minister, who is too busy calming the noise and the anger. There is something lowering about the fact that the best way to be heard is to be negative.

Last month, however, we took the unusual step of writing to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Defra Secretary Steve Barclay to thank them for an important announcement made during the budget – that land given over to environmental projects will be considered ‘agricultural’ for inheritance tax. This change has been a slow burn, and all praise must go to the CLA’s tax team for repeatedly making the detailed case to the Treasury and past president Mark Tufnell for pushing it throughout his time here at the CLA.

casetoteeasuyad it his

Defra since Steve Barclay was appointed. He is a man who listens, and, crucially, has the clout and the confidence to act. The government’s Unleashing Rural Opportunity report, inspired by the CLA’s Rural Powerhouse campaign, is finally being enacted with a raft of new measures, from improved permitted development rights to easier planning for housing projects. It suggests he is in ‘getting things done’ mode.

Whether the inheritance tax announcement or the policies in Unleashing Rural Opportunity, it is a reminder for us that, as a lobbying organisation, you just have to keep plugging away.

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Such harmony between politicians and a membership organisation was a welcome break and is a sign of the gear change at

asury wrote to the we in e that will r the future of their You can n this cians and a welcome ange at

Even more unusually, the Treasury wrote to the CLA thanking us for the leading role we played in securing this policy change – one that will help members make detailed plans for the future of their businesses and the environment. You can read more about the announcement in this magazine.

The budget wasn’t all good news – it never is. A tonedeaf blanket removal of tax reliefs on furnished holiday lets showed that many in the Treasury still do not understand how these small businesses operate or that they need constant investment and maintenance, as well as skilled – and expensive – staff. A revenue-hungry HMRC sees turnover and does not appear to understand that these businesses, often farm diversifications, have escalating costs and no market space to increase the price of the product.

Whether the inheritance tax announcement or policies for the rural economy, it is a reminder that you just have to keep plugging away

how these small busines need constant invest as well as skilled – a revenue-hungry H does not appear to often f costs increase the pr

In 1984, w adv Teleg then bo al a w a b th ha suc the w tackle they are x or e it hat o g

In 1984, we used to stick a threeline advertisement in the Sunday Telegraph in January and then fill in the blanks on the booking sheet until they were all gone. The process took about two weeks. Now, we are in a competitive and saturated market, and bookings for 2024 across the industry look lean.

This is a misguided, hasty policy, and like all such policies, it will strike the wrong people and won’t tackle the problem they think they are addressing.

News round-up

The stories that matter to you

CLA poll finds ‘NIMBYism’ is holding rural communities back

NIMBYism is holding back rural communities across England, according to a CLA poll, with just 19% of respondents believing those who object to development have a positive impact on the countryside.

The CLA and Survation poll of more than 1,000 people in rural areas found:

● A lack of affordable rural housing is the most important issue facing rural communities, beating the cost of living. Nearly 60% of respondents ranked it among their top two most pressing issues, with the higher cost of living compared to urban areas coming second and the lack of rural jobs third.

● Less than a fifth said NIMBYs had a positive impact, with 46% saying they had a negative impact.

● A majority (53%) said rural areas need to build more homes for affordable housing, compared to 36% against.

● More than half (55%) support more homes being built in their own community, with 35% not in favour.

CLA President Victoria Vyvyan says: “Rural communities up and down the country are crying out for affordable housing. No one wants to concrete over the countryside, but for decades governments of all colours have treated it as a museum, risking the sustainability of communities and failing to generate the conditions necessary for growth.

“Villages cannot be dormitories for wealthy commuters, nor can they be the preserve of the elderly. A small number of homes must be built in a large number of villages to provide housing for young people and families, to provide workers for local businesses and keep shops, schools and other facilities open.

“Central government and local authorities alike need to start having some ambition for the rural economy, and that starts with saying the needs of the whole rural economy are more important than the desires of small groups of campaigners refusing to accept the need for change.

“The system continues to favour large-scale developments that often fundamentally and negatively alter the fabric of the local community. This same system ignores the advantages of small-scale developments that would improve the viability of villages.

“This systemic failure of government planning policy is steadily killing rural communities.”

The CLA’s blueprint for how to unleash the potential of the rural economy contains recommendations for the next UK Government to help solve housing shortages. Visit cla.org. uk/ruralpowerhouse

@countrylandandbusiness @CLAtweets

GO ONLINE

Stay up to date with the latest news cla.org.uk ADVICE

@countrylandandbusiness

MEMBER SERVICES

Phil Vickery to deliver keynote at CLA Next Generation Dinner and Conference New report finds foreign drug gangs target rural communities

Serious organised criminals, including those linked to the international drug trade, are increasingly preying on rural communities, according to a new report.

The report from Durham University, commissioned by the National Rural Crime Network and several leading rural organisations, including the CLA, claims that many crimes are committed by ‘prolific rural offenders’ rather than opportunistic individuals. They intentionally victimise rural communities in multiple ways during long criminal careers, including through violence and intimidation.

Data from the report found that many rural criminals are also involved in the supply and sale of drugs, often on a large and global scale. Foreign organised crime networks are also deeply involved in sustaining the UK’s rural crime problem by creating international transportation and disposal routes for goods stolen from the UK countryside.

CLA President Victoria Vyvyan says: “Serious and organised crime has a heavy burden on alreadyisolated rural communities up and down the country. The CLA is campaigning for greater rural training for frontline call handlers, officers and volunteers to help them correctly identify and record cases, as well as beefed-up equipment packs to assist forces in fighting rural crime.”

Rugby union legend and Celebrity MasterChef winner Phil Vickery

MBE DL will be talking about the importance of farming, the countryside and his passion for inspiring people to eat well at the CLA Next Generation Conference and Dinner. He is the son of a farmer and his brother still runs the family farm in Cornwall.

Join CLA Vice President Joe Evans at Whitbourne Estate, his family’s business, along with successors and future successors, for an inspiring

two days discussing current challenges and strategies for the future.

Held over two days, delegates will enjoy a two-course dinner and hear from CLA Deputy President Gavin Lane and guest speaker Phil Vickery. During the conference, you will hear from a variety of speakers, including CLA experts, headline partners Knight Frank, supporting partners Zulu Ecosystems and others. Joe will give an honest insight into his experiences running and developing enterprises on the estate, and the successes and pitfalls along the way.

Tickets are limited, so early booking is advised. Visit cla.org. uk/events

CLA launches Welsh language website

The CLA has launched a Welsh version of our website – cla. org.uk – where members will be able to access adviceand the latest newsin English and Welsh.

To enable this functionality, click on the globe icon called‘Cymraeg’in the top right-hand corner of the website and all content will be seamlessly translated into Welsh. To revert back to English, click the same icon again. This new online functionality will enable the majority of the website to be accessible in Welsh, including thelatest news stories,member benefits andupdates from Wales.

The Game Fair Returns to Blenheim Palace

The Game Fair returns to Blenheim Palace from 26 to 28 July, featuring ‘pugs and drummers’ displays, archery, food, family activities, shopping and VIP glamping. There will also be gundog and shooting competitions, as well as opportunities to try clay shooting, fly fishing, coarse fishing, fly tying and ferreting – and you can bring your own dog to enter one of the have-ago competitions.

CLA members can benefit from a 10% discount off the current listed price for adult, child and family entry tickets on all three days of the event with discount code CLA10. Visit thegamefair.org for more information.

Enclosed with this issue is your personal copy of the 2024 CLA Business Directory, published by Redactive Media Group. Now in its 23rd edition, it provides a unique and cost-effective way to reach the CLA’s unique landowning network and potential customers.

If you missed the opportunity to promote your products and services in the 2024 CLA Business

Ahead of a general election, the CLA has developed a support pack to help parliamentary candidates in rural seats gain a comprehensive understanding of the rural economy.

The pack contains the CLA’s six missions, which act as a blueprint to unlock the potential of the rural economy, an Introduction to Rural

CLA BUSINESS DIRECTORY ONLINE

We welcome the following new members:

North

Maurice Barker

Construction

Midlands

Bennet Brooks & Co Ltd

Financial services

Mapscape Limited

Agricultural

Promatic International Ltd

Game shoots

South West

Solarsense UK Ltd

Utilities

Wales

Artemis Venue Services Ltd

Exhibition venues

Directory, you can still take advantage of a listing in the online version. All landowning, business and professional members can publicise their business enterprises. For options and prices please contact the CLA Business Directory sales team at Redactive Media Group on 020 7324 2754 or email cla.businessdirectory@redactive.co.uk.

Affairs booklet, a ’10 answers to the hardest questions’ explainer, a template press release and a Rural Powerhouse lapel badge.

If you would like to offer a pack to give directly to local candidates, please contact your regional CLA office, or scan the QR code to fill out a short form online to request a pack.

ELEANOR WOOD CLA SENIOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER

Themysteriouscaseof theRentersReformBill

Eleanor Wood sets out the stop/start timeline of the Renters Reform Bill and how it still has a long way to go to complete its legislative process

Parliament is currently in ‘go slow’ modeonly carrying out its basic functions. There are debates, all-party parliamentary groups and select committees, but nothing of substance. Legislation and actual policy change has been scarce, with no clue as to when the general election will be, other than Rishi Sunak’s statement that “he hopes it will be in the second half of the year”.

This has led to speculation over what will happen to unpassed legislation from the King’s Speech. This includes the Renters Reform Bill, which, when trailed in May 2022, was supposed to be a quick measure to make renting more secure and remove “no-fault” section 21 evictions.

The CLA immediately began working with MPs when the bill was launched last year to ensure that if section 21 was removed, the existing grounds for ending a tenancy were strengthened, as many landlords use them to avoid the overcrowded court system and use a section 8. We also wanted to make sure the bill worked for rural employers, and engaged with civil servants to put measures in place for agricultural workers.

The bill proved unpopular. Many backbench Conservative MPs, while sympathetic to improving tenants’ rights, felt it was wrong to remove section 21 when there are already significant delays in the court system – if the only way to pursue an eviction is via the courts, there could be up to a two-year wait. Fearing a government rebellion, the bill was partially shelved until an agreement was met: that after the bill passed into legislation, section 21 would only be removed when court system backlogs had been resolved.

This appeared to be a partial resolution, and the bill was freed to start the committee process, where MPs examine the legislation line by line and take evidence from organisations about its impact. Judicaelle Hammond, CLA Director of Policy and Advice, gave evidence to the committee and highlighted the rural private rental sector’s differences and challenges compared to that of urban areas.

We continued to brief MPs and worked with them on amendments to improve the bill for rural communities. Then, suddenly, everything went quiet. There appears to be a battle of wills between Number 10 and Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove over whether this continues. The speculation is that Number 10 would like to see the bill fail and is running down the clock on parliamentary time, whereas the levelling up secretary has said it will be in force before the general election.

I think the bill is unlikely to pass before the general election; there are still significant legislative processes to complete, and, without united support, it lacks momentum. This will allow the CLA to instead influence upcoming housing policies in party political manifestos.

VICTORIA BOND CLA CYMRU DIRECTOR victoria.bond@cla.org.uk 01547 317085

definition of not just baseline actions but also the scheme’s optional and collaborative layers must be comprehensively presented. Hard-to-tackle cross-border and tenancy issues must be brought to the fore so land managers can make informed decisions about how to proceed. While they work on this, CLA Cymru continues to lobby for Basic Payment Scheme payments to be upheld for another year.

Aworkable farmingscheme

CLA Cymru Director Victoria Bond calls on the Welsh Government to show it is listening and address the concerns of the agricultural sector in developing a Sustainable Farming Scheme

The final days of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) consultation, which ended in March, were marked by the largest demonstration of its kind outside the Senedd. For all the passion, emotion, singing and pleas outside the building, inside (where I stood) had a much more tranquil and aloof feeling. The protest wasn’t even played on speakers or TVs - I had to take to social media to hear it live.

As Conservative and Plaid Cymru Members of the Senedd (MSs) entered the stage outside, Labour MSs casually strolled around and peered outside, appearing somewhat disinterested and not knowing what was being said. My feeling was that the Welsh Government ‘doesn’t get it’.

In stark contrast to my former career in waste management, where the Welsh Government is focused on retaining all materials produced here as waste to repurpose and reuse within Wales, it seems quite happy to neglect the process of food production on its doorstep, safe in the knowledge that Brazil can fill that gap.

The ball is now firmly in the court of the Welsh Governmentit must tackle the sector’s concerns and show it is listening, not least to rebuild trust. With the UK Government’s budget announcement in March, there is no longer an excuse over what the SFS budget will be going forward. We await this in great anticipation.

Serious work remains to redirect and finalise the scheme as it stands. The budget proposal and a clear

In February, we conducted a flash poll of members and learned that only 3% of farmers trust the Welsh Government; 87% of farmers believed the SFS would neither support their business nor deliver positive environmental outcomes. Just 6% said they would opt into the scheme in its current form, which many consider prescriptive and complex.

This month, a new first minister can and must re-engage with Wales’s rural communities and take a genuine interest in what goes on outside Cardiff.

We met and spoke to hundreds of CLA Cymru members in February as we called on the Welsh Government to press the reset button on this critical process. At the same time, a similar scheme in England is gradually securing buy-in from farmers there. We know that schemes to support environmentally friendly land management practices can work when developed in a spirit of collaboration and shared mission, and we will continue to lobby the government to achieve this.

Welsh Government must tackle the sector’s concerns and show it is listening, not least to rebuild trust

SPRING BUDGET: what it means for the rural economy

CLA experts analyse the key announcements made in the spring budget –the last before a general election – and what they mean for members

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s 2024 budget was a mixed bag for the rural economy, but the CLA secured a significant win after years of lobbying and policy work on agricultural property relief (APR) for land managed under environmental agreements. You can read more on this announcement on page 18. Other announcements include a lower capital gains tax (CGT) rate on residential properties, stamp duty land tax (SDLT), a £20m community-led housing scheme and a consultation on an accelerated planning service.

Agricultural property relief on shorter tenancies

The government decided not to adopt the Rock Review’s recommendation that APR should not apply to land let on a farm business tenancy with a term of less than eight years.

The government accepted the CLA’s argument that the proposal could be counterproductive as it would incentivise landlords to take land back in hand, resulting in significantly less land being available for tenant farmers.

Furnished holiday lets tax regime abolished

Disappointingly, the chancellor announced the abolition of the furnished holiday lettings (FHL) regime from 6 April 2025 to eliminate the tax advantages FHL landlords enjoy over those who let residential properties to long-term tenants. The legislation will prevent FHL owners from entering into unconditional contracts now so they can benefit from existing CGT reliefs.

The change will have wide-ranging impacts, including the loss of 100% mortgage interest relief and capital allowances for income tax purposes, as well as several CGT reliefs, such as business asset roll-over relief and business asset disposal relief.

The FHL regime has provided stable income for many farmers amid market and environmental challenges, and supported rural economies. Draft legislation and a consultation later this year will offer the CLA an opportunity to address these concerns and seek mitigation for affected members and rural businesses.

CGT on residential properties

From 6 April 2024, the higher CGT rate on residential property gains will be

cut from 28% to 24% for individuals, trustees and personal representatives. The lower rate will stay at 18%.

In most cases, it may be better to postpone exchanging contracts on a sale or making a gift of residential property until 6 April to pay the lower rate. However, on the same date, the annual exempt amount for individuals will fall from £6,000 to £3,000. If the gain is small, it may be better to make the gift or exchange contracts in the current tax year.

SDLT (England only)

The government will abolish the SDLT multiple dwellings relief for transactions with an effective date of 1 June 2024 or later. There will be no change to rules allowing the lower commercial SDLT rates to apply to purchases of mixed-use property.

The changes are driven by perceived abuse in the market, with reclaim agents making spurious claims on behalf of private individuals. The CLA accepts the need for HMRC to prevent abuse, but highlighted how farm buyers would be significantly affected by changes to mixed-use rules. We are pleased that the government listened to our views and will not amend the SDLT treatment of mixed-use property.

National Insurance

From 6 April 2024, the main rate of employee class 1 National Insurance contributions (NICs) will fall from 10% to 8%, and the main rate of selfemployed class 4 NICs will fall to 6%. The government also committed to consulting “later this year” on its 2023 autumn statement promise to abolish class 2 NICs.

£20m community-led housing scheme

The government will invest £20m into a social finance fund to support the development of community-led housing schemes over 10 years, subject to a business case. The CLA is seeking

clarification on whether this is funding for Community Land Trusts, which we support as way to deliver housing.

Accelerated planning service

The government has published a consultation on the proposed design of the new accelerated planning service, alongside new measures to constrain the use of extension of time agreements and identify local planning authorities that are using these excessively. The consultation closes on 1 May.

In addition, a pilot will be launched on using artificial intelligence to speed up the process of developing local plans.

The proposed accelerated planning service is positive for large-scale, commercial developments but the CLA hopes this will not result in these applications being prioritised over applications for homes and development that will support the rural economy.

The CLA will be responding to the consultation and seeking members’ views to inform our response. While mechanisms to improve the planning system are welcome, the underlying issue of resource remains a concern.

The government also announced the second round of the Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund. This aims to deliver 30,000 houses by 2030 in areas affected by high levels of nutrient pollution. This funding is crucial to unlock housing development. However, it also needs to enable agricultural development, which is hindered by the nutrient neutrality issue across 74 local authority areas.

Other measures announced include:

● VAT registration threshold - the compulsory VAT registration threshold will increase to £90,000 with effect from 1 April 2024. At the same time, the threshold for de-registration (the taxable turnover threshold at which a taxable person may apply to deregister for VAT) will increase to £88,000.

● The Empty Property Relief “reset period” will be extended from six to 13 weeks from 1 April 2024 in England. The government will also consult on a “general anti-avoidance rule” for business rates in England.

● The national minimum wage will increase from 1 April 2024 to £11.44 per hour for those aged 21 and over. There has also been a change to the age bands, with the highest age band now applying to those aged 21 and over.

Authors: Jack Burroughs, Jimmy Tse, Shannon Fuller, Charles Trotman

JACK BURROUGHS CLA PRIVATE CLIENT AND TAX ADVISER jack.burroughs@cla.org.uk

CLAwin:agricultural propertyreliefextended

Jack

Burroughs

explains the government’s decision to extend APR to cover certain environmental activity from next April

The government has confirmed it will go ahead with proposals to extend agricultural property relief (APR) to cover certain environmental activity from 6 April 2025, following years of CLA lobbying and policy work.

In its response to the consultation on the tax implications of natural capital markets in the spring budget, the government confirmed that APR will cover “land managed under an environmental agreement with, or on behalf of, the UK Government, devolved administrations, public bodies, local authorities or approved responsible bodies”. This will help to avoid the loss of APR deterring landowners from taking land out of agricultural use to achieve environmental objectives. The Treasury credited the CLA’s work as having played an important role in the government’s decision.

It is crucial that the government gets the details of this policy correct. There are some clear positives:

● Land will continue to benefit from APR following the end of an environmental agreement, provided it continues to be managed in a way that is consistent with the agreement. This avoids the risk of APR being lost once an environmental agreement comes to an end if the land is not returned to agricultural use.

● Farm buildings and farmhouses that are occupied with environmental land will still be able to qualify for APR.

● Land already in an environmental agreement, or that enters one now, can qualify for APR if the death or gift triggering inheritance tax does not take place until after 6 April 2025.

Further changes needed

However, the proposed changes do not go as far as we would like. Notably, the government said that it did not intend to change the rules relating to business property relief (BPR).

We had asked that the fulfilment of an environmental agreement that qualifies for the extension to APR also be deemed a non-investment activity for the purpose of BPR. We will continue to call for this in our discussions with the government. Otherwise, landowners who have already diversified into investment

activities (such as residential, commercial and holiday lettings) risk losing BPR if a move into environmental activity tips the balance of their business from mainly trading to mainly investment.

Clarity needed

The wording of this extended APR cover suggests it is intended to be broader than the Environmental Land Management Scheme in England and the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme in Wales. However, how far this will extend will depend on how ‘approved responsible bodies’ are defined in the draft legislation.

We will continue to engage with the government to ensure the scope of the relief is clear and wide enough to accommodate the many ways that CLA members will be able to use their land to achieve environmental objectives. In particular, it must extend to participation in private markets, such as Biodiversity Net Gain. At present, the government is concerned whether there is sufficiently robust verification and monitoring in such private markets.

FIND OUT MORE

Read the full consultation response: gov.uk/government/consultations/ taxation-of-environmental-landmanagement-and-ecosystemservice-markets

The latest on short-term lets

Avril Roberts provides an overview of the current developments affecting short-term lets in England and Wales, including a proposed registration scheme and planning use class in England

Many members considering diversification will think about short-term lets as an option, and those who operate holiday lets find it a good alternative income source. Many properties used as holiday lets would previously have been residential lets, but increased regulation in that sector has forced landlords to reconsider how they use their assets. A CLA housing survey found that since 2018, 16% of landlord members in England had changed a residential let into a holiday let, and 23% intend to do this at some point in the next 10 years.

However, because of this shift, holiday lets have been blamed for the shortage of properties in the private rented sector. Tourism hotspots such as Cornwall, the Lake District and North Norfolk have been particularly impacted by this trend, with the supply of new homes not keeping up with the number of properties leaving the long-term letting sector.

Government measures

The Welsh Government has identified a similar trend and introduced several measures to tackle what it sees as a serious problem. These include increasing the number of days a property must be let before

qualifying for business rates rather than council tax, increasing the maximum council tax that can be charged on ‘second homes’ and introducing a tourism levy and a licensing scheme. CLA members in Wales tell us that holiday letting is no longer attractive as a diversification opportunity and that they are considering selling properties. In England, while the UK Government has been more measured in its approach to the problem of over-supply of tourism accommodation, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt recently announced plans to abolish the Furnished Holiday Lettings tax regime from 6 April 2025, which means short-term and

SHORT-TERM

long-term lets will be treated the same for tax purposes. Read more about this on page 16.

Tourism contributes £11.5bn Gross Value Added (GVA) to the English rural economy, compared to £3.06bn GVA in Wales. Recognising this contribution, the UK Government has been slower to introduce measures as strong as those in Wales.

Through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, the UK Government gave local councils the ability to charge a 100% premium on second homes - much lower than the 300% maximum introduced by the Welsh Government.

While the Welsh Government is proposing a licensing scheme for short-term lets, the UK Government has consulted on introducing a lighttouch registration scheme. Both are intended to crack down on standards in the sector. There is a concern that ‘amateur’ operators are not complying with safety standards, and that a registration scheme could help councils with enforcement.

The planning system

The planning process is seen by some as a tool to control the number of short-term lets in an area. In Wales, a new planning use class has been introduced for short-term lets; previously these properties would have come under the C3 residential use class. The new use class was introduced with new permitted development rights (PDRs) for property owners to move between classes without the need for planning approval. However, this allows local authorities to issue an article 4 direction, which removes the permitted development so that such changes from residential to short-term let would require a planning application and permission. The UK Government has proposed the same change in England.

AVRIL ROBERTS CLA SENIOR BUSINESS AND PROPERTY POLICY ADVISER avril.roberts@cla.org.uk 020 7460 7971

Registration scheme in England

In February, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced that proposals for a new registration scheme, and a new planning use class will go ahead and be introduced in the summer. At the time of writing, the details are unclear, but there are several points for CLA members operating holiday lets in England to be aware of:

● There will be a national and mandatory registration scheme introduced for holiday lets. The government has said that “hotels, hostels and B&Bs” will be exempt from registering with the scheme. We are seeking clarification on what will be classed as a B&B –for example, whether a single occupancy property where breakfast is provided would fall within the definition.

● It may be that homeowners who let their home infrequently may not need to register with the scheme.

● The new use class for short-term lets will be automatically applied to all properties currently operating as a holiday let. We are not aware of a limit on how long a property needs to have been in operation as a holiday let before automatic reclassification can apply.

● There will be new PDRs so that properties can be moved between the residential use classes without planning permission, but these rights could be removed by local authorities.

We do not believe a new use class will solve the issue of short-term lets in tourism hotspots

CLA work

The CLA opposes the proposals because we do not believe a new use class will solve the issue of short-term lets in tourism hotspots in England. We also opposed the ability that would be given to local authorities to remove the PDR of switching between use classes. However, we are pleased that if a registration scheme is introduced, it will be as light-touch as possible.

We will continue to lobby that the new use class for short-term lets is not introduced in England until the registration scheme is brought in. Many of the problems in Wales are because the government does not have a true picture of the industry and is implementing policy changes with little understanding of their impact. If a registration scheme is introduced first in England, data from the scheme could be used by local authorities to justify whether removal of the PDRsto move between use classes - should be implemented.

Planning for the future is important when setting up a holiday let, particularly when governments introduce policy changes that can have negative consequences. The CLA will keep members informed of any upcoming changes and continue to argue that rural businesses need flexibility to adapt, without additional prohibitive burdens.

More members are looking to diversify their businesses as farming income streams undergo complete restructuring due to the agricultural transition in England and Wales.

Once the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is phased out in England and Wales, the CLA estimates that only 50% of income from BPS will be recovered through environmental schemes. This means a shortfall of £935m in England and £134m in Wales.

Diversification can cover many business opportunities, including tourism, new crops and renewable energy. A common query that CLA

advisers receive is: ‘I have this piece of land, what can I do with it?’. While choosing a diversification can be daunting, there are several helpful things to consider before you start.

Diversifications must not be taken on lightly, so it’s crucial to decide early how much time, energy and capital you want to dedicate to a project.

The list of possibilities can seem endless, so it is important to narrow it down. There are several areas to consider, and the CLA can give free advice on. The following 10 tips provide a useful starting point, and later this year we will publish a handbook offering a comprehensive guide to diversification. This will include ideas for diversification and project-specific

considerations, along with advice on tax, planning, insurance, financing and common pitfalls.

1 Assess your skills and assets

It is helpful to assess what land and property you have on your holding. You will need to decide which parts of your holding you would be happy to change the use of, either temporarily for part of the year, or permanently. It would also be wise to do a skills audit – for example, do you have someone who has hospitality experience or a planning expert in house? Otherwise, you may need to consider what skills would need to be brought in or developed as you embark on a diversification.

Top tips for business diversification

As more rural businesses consider diversification to capitalise on new opportunities, Avril Roberts highlights the key areas members should think about before embarking on a new venture

AVRIL ROBERTS

CLA SENIOR PROPERTY AND BUSINESS POLICY ADVISER avril.roberts@cla.org.uk 020

7460 7971

2 Create a rural assessment management plan

A rural asset management plan is designed to help rural business owners plan for the future by reviewing and analysing their business’s economic, environmental and social assets and considering how they can be put to best use. CLA members can access plan guidance and a template on our website at cla.org.uk/advice/rural-assetmanagement-plans

3 Check what your neighbours are doing: Will there be competition for your business?

Looking at what your neighbours are doing can provide good inspiration for diversification opportunities. However, it is important to consider whether the market is strong enough to support competition or whether you need to offer something unique.

If you think there is enough demand, looking at other businesses can also give you an indication on pricing and marketing, among other things. It is also important to consider the impact your project may have on your neighbours and community.

4 Never pursue a diversification without taking advice on potential permissions

The CLA offers access to free planning information and advice, so please contact us before starting any development or diversification. Planning will probably be one of the most time and resource-intensive stages of your project, so it is worth checking whether there are permitted development rights available, or whether you will need to submit a full planning application.

The local planning authority will determine your application based on its own and national policy, together with other ‘material considerations’.

You will almost certainly be required to submit extra information with your application, such as transport plans, heritage assessments and wildlife surveys. These reports can take time, so make sure you get them early. However, some have an expiry date - for example, bat surveys – so ensure you check before commissioning.

5 Create a business plan

A business plan will be required by most banks if you need to borrow money for the project. A business plan can also set out timelines for key milestones – for example when reports need to be commissioned for planning, when planning might be achieved and when your project can begin operation.

8 Consider business rates

Agriculture is exempt from business rates, so some landowners do not factor in business rates when planning a diversification. Local authorities can back-charge rates, so it is important to understand your position before you venture into a diversification. Some businesses may be able to apply for small business rates relief, but this relief cannot be backdated, so rates may be chargeable if the relief is not claimed from the outset.

9 Marketing

6 Check available grants

In England, there is a capital grants programme called the Rural England Prosperity Fund that can provide support to diversification projects. It is also worth checking whether there are local business grants available to support your project. Check on your local authority’s website for further details.

7 Take advice on the tax position

Moving your business away from purely agricultural activities can have tax consequences, for example on inheritance tax, VAT and capital gains tax. The most common tax consequence is the loss of agricultural property relief from inheritance tax; speak to the CLA’s tax team before you restructure your business, as we may be able to offer solutions.

Many customers now find businesses through social media, so it is worth putting some effort into your project’s online presence. Good photography, special offers and other visitors ‘posting’ about your business can draw people in. Research shows that consumers choose activities and holidays based on reviews, so consider incentives in return for leaving a review. For example, ‘10% of your next visit if you leave a review’ can bring repeat and new customers.

10 Choose something you enjoy

If you don’t like meeting and greeting people, perhaps a holiday cottage is not the business for you. The more you enjoy something, the more time and energy you will invest, and the better the business will be.

Contact your CLA regional team for bespoke advice about your diversification project.

Farm carbon calculators explained

Matthew Doran explores the benefits offered by farm carbon calculators, including how they work, the differences between the four common types of calculators and how to choose the right one for your business

Carbon calculators can help farm businesses find out their greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint by estimating total GHG emissions and identifying ways to reduce them. They often highlight inefficiencies in production and possible financial savings.

Some calculators also estimate carbon sequestration, from which they calculate a net carbon balance. There are four common farm carbon calculators in the UK – Agrecalc, Cool Farm Tool, Farm Carbon Calculator and Trinity AgTech’s Sandy, plus an egg and poultry calculator, Eggbase.

Most estimate emissions across farm enterprises by default, but Cool Farm Tool only estimates emissions from individual products.

The biological and chemical processes that generate emissions on farms are complex, as is carbon sequestration. Farm carbon calculators simplify this to make it possible to estimate emissions. We must rely on these models because, except for scientific research sites, farms do not have the equipment to measure the actual concentrations of GHG emissions.

These calculators are best viewed as management tools, with different functionalities catering to different

needs, but all generating insights that help farmers reduce their emissions.

How they work

Farm carbon calculators simplify the complex processes generating GHG emissions on farms into a set of linked equations. Users then specify variables to tailor these to their farm. Numerous calculations are added up to generate the total farm carbon footprint. The basic equation underlying carbon calculators is activity x emission factor = emissions from that activity.

An activity is an action on the farm, for example the amount of a specific type of fertiliser applied per hectare.

CARBON CALCULATORS

An emission factor is the average amount of GHG emissions emitted per unit of that activity. Emission factors come from physical measurements and estimates made elsewhere. They are frequently updated by new research or when products change.

Not all emission factors are created equal. Many are specific to the UK (a ‘tier II approach’), but sometimes only generic, global emission factors are available (a ‘tier I approach’).

‘Tier III approaches’ combine userinputted variables to model the emission-generating process based on known relationships between these variables and their emissions.

For example, calculators with a tier III approach to estimate methane from enteric fermentation might require data on the number of livestock of different age and sex classes, their feed and how they are housed. Each calculator uses a mixture of different tier approaches, depending on how important they consider the accurate representation of a given process and how much datathey want to require their users to input.

Sequestration is treated similarly by multiplying the area of a habitat type by its average rate of sequestration per hectare. Some calculators are more sophisticated and include userentered data on soil carbon content.

Why do they give different outputs?

Users have been frustrated by the huge variation in outputs between different calculators using the same input data. Research by ADAS confirms this, with well over 100% differences between the highest and lowest calculator outputs for freerange poultry, lowland grazing and lowland peat cropping. Calculations for other farm types, notably dairy and extensive upland grazing, give more similar outputs, but this is likely down to chance, given that ADAS observed large differences in which

emission sources contributed to each calculator’s totals.

Why is this? First, farm carbon calculators are deliberately nonidentical. They employ different strategies to represent complex farm systems based on the extent to which ease of completion outweighs fidelity. This is good because it means farmers with different data availability can use a calculator – though fewer input data means more assumptions and more generic results. Nitrous oxide emissions from soils, enteric fermentation and soil carbon flux are other areas where this factor introduces substantial divergence.

It is worth remembering that a core aim of farm carbon calculators is to generate information that can guide future management decisions, not to be forensically accurate. A calculator is doing a good job if, by modelling a complex problem, users can test the impact of costly or disruptive interventions in the calculator first to assess how far they will reduce emissions. Reducing emissions is invariably more important than the quality of the figures. Simpler calculators allow all farmers to make a start.

These calculators are best viewed as management tools

Some calculators omit processes that others include – for example urease and nitrification inhibitors, breakdown of crop residues, agroforestry, cultivating peat, many aspects of manure management, and emissions from land use change in bought-in livestock feed.

Different models have different boundaries – which parts of the farming system or wider landholding they include. This leads to divergence, particularly regarding sequestration. Apportioning emissions across time also introduces inconsistencies, with different treatments of liming, rotational manuring and non-annual livestock lifecycles.

Can you trust them?

Variation should not dissuade users, but they should take steps to manage it. For instance, consistently using one calculator to track progress over time avoids the issue of variation for a farm. Comparison between farm carbon footprints may be unwise unless retailers stipulate that all suppliers use one model. Making net zero claims based on a calculator’s output is risky.

Accuracy refers to how close a model is to reality. Because farmers do not have the equipment to measure actual GHG emissions, no users can know how accurate their assessment is.

Selecting a calculator

Choose the calculator that best meets your needs based on the data you have and why you want to estimate your carbon footprint. A good starting point would be to decide whether you want to footprint a specific product or the whole farm. If you have a mixed farm or a niche system, check whether the calculator has this functionality or a good representation of that system. Consider whether the calculator includes an application programming interface to migrate data and reduce duplicate entry.

CLA guidance note 15-23 on carbon accounting includes a detailed table comparing the functionality of UK carbon calculators, which can guide your assessment. You can access it online at cla.org.uk/advice

Finally, consider your budget as some are paid for, while others are free or offer a basic package for free (freemium). There may be added costs if you need the help of an adviser to complete more detailed calculators.

WHY USE SANDY TO TAKE

OWNERSHIP OF YOUR NATURAL CAPITAL?

Reliableand credible

The only product to meet all the recommended standards in Defra report on Harmonising Carbon Accountingessential for external reporting and monetisation

Not just carbon

Sandy also considers biodiversity, water protection and overall natural capital valuation based on national and international protocols - giving full recognition to all the ecosystem services being delivered

Caters for all businesses

Sandy includes specialist grassland and grazing, upland, peatland and perennial modules, as well as multiple different land uses - allowing it to properly cater for diverse estates

A management tool

Sandy is not just for reporting. Scenario planning and optimisation features help show the path to meeting your environmental goals

SHANNON FULLER CLA PLANNING ADVISER shannon.fuller@cla.org.uk

Thegreenbeltexplained

The green belt is not only a politically sensitive topic but also an emotive one for those with land within it. While the green belt policy has been effective in protecting rural areas from harmful development, it prevents landowners from expanding or diversifying their enterprises.

Most of the green belt was established in the 1950s, and there are questions about whether it fulfils its original purpose. In 2022, the green belt grew for the first time in nearly a decade. This could be the beginning of a trend: figures published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities in October 2023 show a further increase compared to March 2022.

Green belt review

of the green belt for development but replaced with areas of open countryside larger than what has been removed. These reviews provide landowners adjacent to urban areas with opportunities but do not facilitate development further afield.

In the second article in our green belt article series, Shannon Fuller looks at what a review of the planning policy means for CLA members

extensions but, in the meantime, prevents the development of crucial rural services, facilities or housing.

When considering planning applications for the development of land in the green belt, there is often a perception that there can be no change to the landscape and that another site needs to be found. This is unhelpful for landowners whose entire holding lies within the green belt, leaving them with minimal opportunity for expansion.

When preparing a new local plan, local authorities can decide to undertake a review of green belt boundaries. Typically, land is taken from the inner edge of the green belt for development and is replaced with additional land on the outer edge. In some cases, land is swapped out

Land that may have once been outside the green belt can fall within it when a local plan is prepared, and new development sites are allocated. It seems concerning that a policy created to prevent urban sprawl can be amended to enable urban

Some form of planning policy is required, but it must not prevent sustainable growth and rural business expansion. Businesses within the green belt cannot be expected to rely on limited permitted development rights and exception policies to grow and diversify. The policy needs to be fit for purpose for urban and rural areas alike.

Existing mechanisms for reviewing the green belt are not in accordance with its original purpose. With green belts considered valuable green spaces, their future should not only prevent urban sprawl but also enable the rural economy to grow while providing recreational opportunities.

The final article in this series will explore what the future of the green belt could look like.

Some form of planning policy is required, but it must not prevent sustainable growth and rural business expansion

Planting trees for nature-friendly farming

Committed to leaving his land in a better state for the future, one North Lincolnshire farmer turned to trees

At Barff Farm, North Lincolnshire, Robert Moore grows wheat, barley and oilseed rape, and grazes cattle and sheep over 880 acres. In a bid to leave the land in a better state for the environment and wildlife than when he took it on in 1988, he always looks to balance profitability with sustainability in his approach to farming. Planting trees is key to achieving his long-term goals.

Restoring the landscape

To reduce his business’s impact on nature, Robert already ran an agricultural

plastic recycling plant, generated electricity with solar panels and used a treatment system to reduce water use by 80%. He then set his sights on enhancing the immediate environment and encouraging more wildlife. Trees were the answer, and when Robert learned about MOREwoods and MOREhedges, the Woodland Trust’s generous funding schemes to help farmers plant woodland and hedging, he was keen to forge ahead.

“When we moved to the farm it had no trees or hedges – they’d all been removed. Historic maps show there used

to be over 90 small fields here, which had been reduced to just 13. While the land is good productive arable soil, blackgrass had become a serious issue. The changes we’re making are not only restoring the productive areas to a more sustainable system – we’ve also taken out less productive land, restoring some of the lost hedgerows and trees.

“A neighbour recommended the MOREwoods scheme, saying it was easy to talk to the Woodland Trust team. So we contacted them and found them very helpful on what sort of trees to put in.”

Balancing tree planting with production

Robert worked with an expert adviser from the Woodland Trust to identify less productive areas of land that might be suitable for trees, and to design a planting plan that would achieve his goals.

Together they decided on a substantial woodland measuring 100 metres by 600 metres and split into three segments. They chose an area that was too poor for farming alongside a dyke, avoiding creating too much shade over more productive land. Adding shelter to the dyke would also boost the woodland’s appeal for wildlife, including birds, mammals and beneficial pollinating insects. With kingfishers already visiting the watercourse, Robert hoped that the improved habitat would encourage more species.

Hedgerows were also planned to connect features in the landscape and create corridors in which wildlife could move around easily, including one between the new woodland and an onsite reservoir.

Robert went on to plant one kilometre of hedgerow and five hectares of woodland through Woodland Trust schemes. The MOREwoods initiative provided a 60% subsidy for his 8,000-tree woodland, with

Robert using Trust-arranged contractors for planting. The MOREhedges scheme granted a 75% subsidy to plant the new hedgerows, for which Robert provided his own contractor.

A bright future

Such large-scale habitat creation will become a haven for wildlife as it matures, as well as improving the land’s visual impact, capturing carbon and making good use of the farm’s less profitable areas. And Robert isn’t finished yet, with plans to plant even more.

“We’re enhancing the farm for future generations,” he continues. “Yes, it’s going to take a while to do it, but the plan is to leave this farm better when we finish with it than when we received it. That’s not to say it wasn’t right when we got it, but times have changed, so we’re trying to get ahead of the curve.”

The planting project was easy from start to finish, he says, and the Woodland Trust was “very helpful” in organising everything from advice and tree delivery to a contractor to plant the trees. It even managed the Environmental Impact Assessment process that was needed due to the size of the new wood.

“We found the application very simple and straightforward, and that’s what we like!” he concludes.

Reap the benefits on your farm

Trees should be in every farmer’s toolbox. They boost productivity, resilience and the health of the environment – with no need to make trade offs on food production. And the benefits don’t end there. Robert’s wood has become a great destination for people as well as wildlife, with the natural planting design of wavy lines and track for easy access making it a pleasant place in which to spend time.

With funding from Lloyds Bank, the Woodland Trust offers advice and funding to make your planting project a success. For anyone planting more than half a hectare of woodland, the MOREwoods scheme is ideal. Alternatively, plant hedgerows longer than 100 metres with MOREhedges. The Trust offers a mix of species that are ideal for hedges, plus your choice of full-height trees every six

metres, funding and tree protection. Robert is one of thousands of landowners who have planted through the schemes, with a combined 4,000ha of woodland and almost 600km of hedgerow put in the ground since 2009. That’s millions more trees creating a brighter, healthier future for businesses, communities and nature.

Start planting with subsidised schemes

From protecting crops and livestock with a shelterbelt to harvesting your own wood fuel, Woodland Trust experts will provide tailored advice on the best species and methods to reach your goals. Once an application has been made, they will visit your site, help you to design your woodland, create a bespoke species mix and arrange tree delivery and protection – all with up to 75% funding. Applications are now open for the November 2024 to March 2025 planting season.

To find out more about the MOREwoods scheme, go to woodlandtrust.org.uk/ morewoods

Robert Moore has planted 1km of hedgerow and 5ha of woodland with the Woodland Trust

HIGH DEMAND, LOW SUPPLY

Emily Scaife reports on what the latest land transactions in England and Wales

reveal

about the current state-of-play with the farmland market

Mark Twain famously said: “Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.” Land availability in the UK can certainly appear scarce, particularly in recent years when the state of the market can be described as ‘high demand, low supply’.

Worth its weight in gold

Despite headwinds, including high inflation, rising borrowing rates, weak commodity markets and a decline in farm subsidies, the farmland market showed resilience in the final quarter of 2023. According to Knight Frank’s Farmland Index, scarcity of supply and persistent strong demand from diverse buyers played a pivotal role in supporting these values.

The index, which tracks the value of bare land in England and Wales, rose by

2% in Q4 last year, breaking the £9,000/ acre barrier for the first time. Average farmland values increased by 7% - a performance matched only by gold.

“The absence of forced sellers has certainly created a unique market dynamic,” says Will Matthews, Head of Farms and Estates at Knight Frank. “A persistent low supply makes it challenging to envision farmland trading at levels below those we’ve witnessed. The robust demand and intense competition among affluent buyers frequently push values to £10,000 per acre, and large blocks can even exceed £15,000 per acre.”

Last year was not easy for farmers, and although inflation has eased, they will likely continue to endure high input costs throughout 2024. However, this doesn’t have a direct impact on land sales.

“You don’t see a direct correlation between commodity prices and land values in the UK – it’s not like the prairies

in America where there is nothing else to do with the land and a farmer’s total income is derived from selling crops,” says Andrew Shirley, Head of Rural Research at Knight Frank. “There are many different reasons to own farmland in England and Wales, and that’s helping to sustain values.”

Will explains: “Some of the sales are tax driven – people who have sold land for development and need to roll over profits to avoid a capital gain – and there’s been a lot of those for residential developments and HS2.

“There is also a growing number of people looking to buy for environmental reasons, whether that’s from a personal perspective or through a fund looking to buy land and take advantage of the new Biodiversity Net Gain rules.

“That’s why prices have gone up –there’s plenty of people who want land, but there isn’t enough of it to go round.”

Who is buying land?

Strutt & Parker’s Farmland Database reveals that non-farmers bought more than half the farms and estates sold on the open market in England in 2023.

Private investors were involved in 28% of transactions, institutional investors in 13% - a rise of 10% on 2022 levels - and lifestyle buyers in 16%.

Together, that amounted to 56% of sales and because this type of buyer typically buys bigger farms, they bought a larger area of land than farmers.

“The growing role of non-farmers has proved to be a defining feature of the farmland market in recent years,” says Matthew Sudlow, Head of Estates & Farm Agency for Strutt & Parker.

“What we have seen over the past 12 months is that farmers have understandably become more cautious because of a combination of higher interest rates, falling support payments, cost pressures and the impact of some horrendous weather conditions. Meanwhile, investors and lifestyle buyers continue to see farmland as an attractive and safe long-term investment.”

Environmental schemes or food production?

However, this does not necessarily mean that the land in question is being taken out of food production.

“Many of the farms and estates continue to be productively farmed, and we know that some of their new owners are placing more of a focus on regenerative farming

techniques and improving biodiversity,” Matthew explains.

“Context is everything when it comes to looking at trends. The total amount of land bought and sold each year typically represents less than 1% of the total agricultural land area. So, even if the amount of land being bought by green investors is growing, it still represents a tiny percentage of the total land area. The reality is that most agricultural land continues to be in the hands of farmers despite what looks to be a significant shift in buyer types.”

‘Plenty of people want land, but there isn’t enough of it to go round’

Carter Jonas recognises that the evolving natural capital markets and environmental schemes will offer landowners opportunities to diversify their income stream but not necessarily to the detriment of food security. Some Sustainable Farming Incentive standards in England complement food production.

“Some rates have shifted upwards significantly, which is likely to encourage more businesses to opt in,” explains Andrew Chandler, Head of Rural Agency at Carter Jonas. “Defra’s most recent changes set out the aim of: ‘Seeing 65% of farms adopt nature-friendly practices on 10 to 15% of their land’.

“We can expect the year ahead to be defined by accelerated structural change, with private and public environmental schemes looking more appealing.”

A future rise

Research undertaken by Savills into machinery sales suggests that the supply of land could potentially rise in the coming years.

“Farmland supply is increasing because of changes largely driven by the agricultural transition - our research into machinery sales would seem to support this,” says Andrew Teanby, Associate Director at Savills rural research.

“In Wales alone, there was more land traded in 2023 than in any year since 2000, with the market surpassing its average for the last five years by more than 40%,” adds Daniel Rees from Savills’ rural agency team. Savills has noted an increase in the number of vendors retiring due to a lack of successors.

Over the past three years, retirement and changes in farming policy have become far more common reasons for farmers selling their farm machinery compared to 2015. According to Savills, there were 71% more machinery sales in 2023 than in 2015.

“Using the rise in machinery sales as an indicator, we remain confident that more land will come onto the market because the sale of farmland is one potential outcome following a change in farming system/activity, tenancy surrender or retirement,” says Andrew.

IMAGE: ISTOCK

Life beyond the military

The rural sector offers career opportunities for ex-military personnel. Sarah Wells-Gaston finds out how HighGround is helping those leaving active service move towards a new career

Each year, more than 14,000 skilled individuals leave the armed forces, ready to enter the civilian workforce. With labour shortages a major challenge for land-based businesses, the attributes of ex-service personnel and veterans are highly desirable.

Recognising the value military personnel offer to land-based businesses, the CLA became the first national rural trade association to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. In doing so, it showed a commitment to link up with organisations that support military veterans when they leave the forces.

One such organisation is HighGround, and the national military charity has been given CLA membership, recognising its role and support for the veterans community as the Association begins to deliver its veterans initiative.

Finding new careers

Founded in 2013 by Anna Baker Cresswell, the charity aims to improve the wellbeing and employment prospects of serving personnel and veterans. She saw there was a lack of support and advice for those transitioning to civilian life who wanted to work outdoors.

“There are a multitude of skills that service leavers have that are fundamental to rural jobs,” says Chief Executive Jamie Crisp. “Our aim is to support them and help them find new careers in agriculture and the wider land-based sector.”

One of HighGround’s initiatives is its rural week programme, which comprises three pathways, including its virtual rural week and residential rural week. “Virtual rural week aims to open the eyes of service personnel and veterans to the opportunities within the landbased sector, from arable and livestock

to agri-tech and land-based teaching,” says Jamie. “We hope once they can contextualise this they will consider coming to our rural residential week.”

Hosted by Bicton College and Askham Bryan, these courses combine classroom presentations and visits. “The aim is to help attendees make informed decisions using the skills they have as to how they transition out of the services,” says Jamie. “By the end of the week, attendees hopefully have a clearer idea of which path they want to take, whether it be horticulture, arable farming or arboriculture.”

Jamie hopes HighGround can expand its delivery model over the next two years, including widening its circle of influence with organisations such as the CLA to support volunteering and work experience opportunities.

“Service leavers have the time to do voluntary experience or work experience,” he adds. “When they do these experiences, more often than not, businesses really see the value they offer, and recognise that with further training, coupled with the right qualifications, they would be a really strong employee. We encourage those who work in the sector to consider how they can helpwhether it be work experience or coming and speaking to personnel about the opportunities available – so we can help people truly prepare for the next phase of the career.”

To find out more about the CLA’s Veteran’s Initiative and to get involved, visit cla.org.uk/campaigns/veteransinitiative.

The powerful ISEKI TXGS24 23hp tractor in a sub-compact size makes it incredibly versatile and highly manoeuvrable, perfect for a wide range of tasks whether you are mowing, transporting items using a trailer, running implements on the rear linkage and PTO or using the front loader moving bulk materials about.

Finding business BALANCE

Siân Ellis finds out how CLA member Ian Griffiths balances different elements of his diverse rural businesses, spanning farming, tourism and the environment, in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

CLA member Ian Griffiths says his mixed-farming background over many generations means it is in his DNA to find the right balance in business.

“Horn and corn, they used to call it. I’ve brought things into the 21st century here with a balance of farming, the environment and tourism: combinations of livestock and arable, land and sea, and experiences that engender mental and physical wellbeing.”

“Here” is 400 acres across two farms in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Ian has contract farming agreements with local farmers growing rotations of potatoes, spring malting barley, cauliflowers and leeks, and keeping sheep and cattle. Around 100 acres of land is environmental habitat, with grasses and wildflowers along the coastal fringe,

arable field margins and headlands for wild bird feed and cover. Another 50 acres is occupied by Ian’s Celtic Camping business: a camping, bunkhouse, group accommodation and events venue.

“Tourism underpins it all,” he says.

Celtic Camping

Celtic Camping sits on Pwll Caerog Farm, near St Davids. The farm, of around 250

acres, was acquired by the National Trust in 1991; in that year, Ian and his late wife Judy, a farmer’s daughter, took on the tenancy, branching out from the farm (with no buildings) at nearby Solva where they had a National Trust tenancy.

From the outset, Ian and Judy were motivated by Pwll Caerog’s tourism potential as a means to help the farm pay its way. “There is a real sense of place and history here, with a Bronze Age hill-fort, beautiful sunrises over the sea at Strumble Head and sunsets over the Wicklow Mountains, and we have access straight onto the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.”

Judy’s income from her job as a primary school teacher (and later headteacher) eased their start. In the summer holidays, while Ian worked the farm, she began to offer farmhouse B&B in three spare rooms (until the arrival

Celtic Camping hosts a range of events, including music and food festivals

of their three children), plus a handful of camping pitches in the garden. The response was immediate.

“It was a breath of fresh air,” Ian says. “Visitors were delighted and happy to pay. You didn’t have to haggle for every penny like in the farming industry.”

The business grew to meet demand and a “tipping-point” in 2006 encouraged Ian to contract out farming operations and give his main focus to Celtic Camping. Today, there are 400 beds across eight properties, including dormitory-style bunkhouses in converted farm buildings, plus three small private cabins. The campsite, divided into three main fields, can take around 1,200 people. There are drying rooms, two commercial kitchens, two dining halls, two breakout spaces and environmentally-friendly features such as solar panels, with more planned.

An amphitheatre is overlooked by five standing stones representing the Griffiths family, in memory of Judy who passed away in 2010. “She told me to look after the children and to make the business a success,” Ian says. “That spurred me on.”

Unique selling points

Around 50% of Celtic Camping visitors are school and youth groups, including special needs and disadvantaged children. Families, stags and hens, and sports groups are other important markets, while events include music and food festivals, conferences and weddings.

Ian says the unique selling point on which Celtic Camping has thrived is “to offer budget accommodation and quality food to very large groups, bundling together genuine adventure packages with local activity providers including coasteering, surfing, cliff-climbing and kayaking.” A mud run, “created out of muddy bits I always tried to avoid as a farmer”, is another popular highlight.

As well as learning about nature and the outdoors, schoolchildren are encouraged to understand connections between food, farming and the importance of agriculture to the environment.

Celtic Camping’s seasonality (busiest from Easter to October) is complemented by Ian’s Pembrokeshire Logs business (October to March): bought-in wood is seasoned, chopped, kiln-dried and

‘Tourism has underpinned the farm and our ability to look after the environmental habitat’

delivered as sustainable firewood. “Running both businesses means I can maintain full-time staff all year round.”

Planning consents

The Griffiths began converting three vernacular stone buildings into bunkhouses from 2001, and Ian praises the National Trust and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for supporting his vision to convert other farm buildings to enable large-group accommodation.

Armed with local support, he had a candid meeting involving his architect and the then National Park’s chief of

planning, where he showed that what he was doing aligned beneficially with National Park criteria. He says: “There was demand for budget accommodation for large school groups that no-one else was providing, I was bringing new business to the area, no neighbours were disturbed, traffic generated was no greater than farming movements would be, the farm had good environmental credentials and I was enabling schools to engage with nature and the outdoors, helping children’s mental and physical wellbeing.”

Planning for additional conversions of redundant buildings to help future-proof the business was granted.

Looking ahead

Ian is grateful to have gained permissions and believes the Senedd, National Parks and Visit Wales could complement each other to help farmers diversify into more sustainable businesses. “It is tourism that has underpinned the farm and our ability to look after the environmental habitat to the extent we have.

“Diversifications also help farmers’ children to have a chance to return to family farms and make a living,” he adds.

Ian’s son Morgan and his partner Amy hope to take on Pwll Caerog’s tenancy from the National Trust when Ian steps back in a few years. His daughter Gwen helps out in summer when not working abroad, and his daughter Eleri will hold her wedding reception here in July.

“I could never have done everything at Pwll Caerog without my late wife Judy,” Ian says. “Her legacy continues through education and inspiration as people engage with the countryside in this wonderful location.”

Top to bottom: An amphitheatre on the campsite is overlooked by five standing stones representing the Griffiths family (visible in the background); events hosted by the site include weddings; grazing pigs

Rural diversification

POTENTIAL

Many CLA members have numerous strings to their bow beyond farming, but surely few have diversified in as many directions as Paul O’Brien. The beef farmer hires out his 120 military vehicles for film shoots, is a qualified ballroom and Latin dance instructor, and runs or co-runs a campsite, business park, scrap yard, online ticketing platform and solar tech company.

CLA member Paul O’Brien has maximised the potential of his 220 acres, with enterprises ranging from farming, a campsite and business park to hiring out military vehicles. Mike Sims reports

If that didn’t keep Paul busy enough, the cycling and swimming enthusiast also recently built new commercial units, hopes to open a museum and plans to sell venison alongside his beef boxes.

Paul’s background is in telecommunications, manufacturing development and sales, but he has wanted cattle ever since a Highland cow stuck its head into his car in a safari park when he was in his 20s. He realised this dream decades later when he first bought land, and now

has 220 acres across sites in Hampshire and Surrey.

He says: “I promised myself then I would have a herd of them, and in 2008 I got my first three Highlands from a local farmer in Petersfield.

“It was a massive learning curve and a monster of a task to start breeding without any knowledge, other than a few books and Farmers Weekly. Nothing is easy in farming and it takes real effort, but away I went and it has taken me up until the last couple of years before I’ve been able to find a way to successfully make some money.

“Every day I look at my cows and just love the sight of them, they are my real joy. It’s important to me to have a happy herd – animal welfare is vital.”

Farming ambitions

Aided by his sons and wife Kate, Paul sells his beef to local hotels and restaurants and hopes to increase the size of his herd from 60 to 80 to meet demand. Describing himself as a ‘farming entrepreneur’, he says: “Not coming from an agricultural background, it’s been an interesting journey.

“It does feel like things are against you sometimes, from the planning system to Natural England. I thought farming was a respected industry, but it can feel like a bit of a dirty word, which is strange when you consider we’re feeding the world and just trying to make a living.

“I’m proud of what we do - we look after the land, and the meat is incredibly lean and tasty. I’d eat it every day myself if I could, which I think is an important statement.”

Military vehicles

Another passion is military vehicles. Over 40 years, Paul has built up a collection of 120 decommissioned tanks, trucks and armoured vehicles and now hires them out for weddings, films, and music and fashion videos. They have featured in everything from a James Bond film to the BBC’s high-octane ‘petrolhead’ series Gassed Up

He says: “The engineering of military vehicles has always fascinated me, and when I found out I could buy them, away I went, and the collection’s really grown over the years.

“Last year was very poor in hiring them out due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes, but things are hotting up for 2024, and we are expecting at least four sizeable budget films and a few seriestype productions.

“We also hire the farm out as a venue, as we’re quite accessible, and rent out props such as uniforms and artefacts. It’s good fun seeing your stuff on screen.”

Paul’s interests stretch from tanks to the tango, as he has a dance group, PaulOB1 Dance School in Alton, teaching ballroom and Latin. He credits it with

‘Farming can feel like a bit of a dirty word, which is strange when you consider we’re feeding the world and just trying to make a living’

relaxing him as he juggles his various business interests.

He said: “Dancing is my balancer in life. The school is an absolute pleasure, although Covid destroyed a lot of what I had built.

“It’s one of those amazing jobs where you get paid for doing something you love. It’s an escape, my way of getting away from the world because no matter how I’m feeling at the start of a session, I’m in such a chilled mood by the end of the evening.”

Barriers to business success

One of Paul’s main frustrations is the planning system and how expensive, cumbersome and unsupportive it can be for rural businesses. He has spent years and thousands of pounds attempting to gain permission to build his Iron Curtain museum dedicated to exhibiting military vehicles and artefacts, dating largely from 1946 to 1991.

He says: “It’s a really positive thing and would be a tourism boost to the local area, especially as there’s so much military history around here.

“But it feels like the system is against little people like me and it’s destroying livelihoods. It’s nonsense and the UK will end up losing people to other countries. There can be an ‘anti’ attitude, and things can take so long that the world then moves on.”

One of Paul’s main income streams is his seven-acre business park near Guildford, and there is also a scrap yard in Southampton plus new green energy company, GenBatt. He also enjoys running a small campsite and an Airbnb: “It’s nice to have people come to the farm, they come from all over and you meet some lovely people.”

Looking ahead

Plans for the next 12 months include opening another scrap yard, writing a book and pushing on with his museum vision on a different site, using an existing building.

“I’ve said a few times I won’t launch a new business, then something else comes along,” he says. “I just enjoy being busy, and it doesn’t feel like work.”

Planting the future

Welford Park is embracing its role in tackling the climate crisis and restoring nature by planting more than 10,000 tree saplings to sequester carbon and be part of the Woodland Carbon Code. Mike Sims reports

It took three years of planning, culminating in a team of five planting more than 10,000 saplings on an estate in Berkshire, and it is hoped their efforts will help absorb thousands of tonnes of carbon over the coming decades.

Six hectares (14.8 acres) of new woodland have been planted across the 3,000-acre Welford Park, consisting of thousands of oak, birch, maple, hazel and other traditional saplings.

The sites have been carefully selected to ensure the extension of current woodland, creating eco pathways across arable farmland and along the M4 corridor.

As well as the benefits to wildlife and biodiversity, the scheme is being registered and verified by the Woodland Carbon Code, the quality assurance standard for woodland creation projects generating independently verified carbon units.

The fully grant-funded project is the brainchild of Will Puxley, heir to the Welford Estate, and Rob Waterston, Welford’s farm manager, who worked closely with Pryor & Rickett Silviculture and the Forestry Commission.

Due to a range of factors, from Covid to changing grant options, it was in the pipeline for a considerable period, and the team is proud to be expanding its woodland and natural capital. While

THE HOME OF BAKE OFF

Welford is also the host venue for The Great British Bake Off, with the show filmed in its grounds each year.

Will said: “Location work of all kinds has been a fantastic diversification for Welford over the past few years, from TV to film and photo shoots.

“We have worked incredibly hard on our infrastructure to be able to host such outfits, and hopefully our returning clients year after year prove we are doing something right.”

carbon markets are still developing, Will says the code will ensure the estate’s capture is correct and provide a platform from which to trade.

He says: “It is extremely important to everyone at Welford that we do our bit to combat the climate crisis, and this new project will be doing exactly that, with our carbon credits becoming fully valid in time for net zero in 2050.”

Expanding natural capital

The estate carefully chose its planting areas “looking at the big picture”, ensuring a wider impact on its farming enterprise. It aims to carefully balance the importance of food production – growing wheat, barley, rape, oats, beans and cover crops –with the need to improve soil health and biodiversity, and has adopted various regenerative practices.

Will says: “It’s not all about the potential economic gains for landowners but also the collective idea of environmental restoration and expanding the UK’s natural capital as a whole. As a country we are world leaders, and that’s something that excites me a great deal.

“I have loved researching and delving in to all subjects around expanding our natural capital. It’s now such a huge arena, but essentially everyone has a very special shared goal – combatting our climate crisis and restoring the natural world, which is an amazing thing to be able to be involved with.”

Large-scale woodland creation

He advises other landowners considering large-scale woodland creation to do their homework first: “Really do your research and speak to multiple outlets before deciding what to do. Strategy is everything, so having short, medium and long-term goals has been key for us.

“There are some amazing schemes and grant options available when looking at environmental restoration, many of which can be stacked, so it is vital that landowners and managers really do their due diligence first.”

As well as the hard work of the Welford team, it is grants that have

‘It’s not all about the potential economic gains for landowners but also the collective idea of environmental restoration and expanding the UK’s natural capital as a whole’

made the planting project possible, with the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) covering 100% of the funding.

Farm manager Rob says: “We also applied for and received a LEADER grant towards the purchase of a strip till drill in 2017, which really got us started on the regenerative journey at Welford. Both of these grant applications were quite a lengthy process, however, without the grants they would not have been possible.”

The EWCO grant also provides an annual maintenance budget for the first 15 years. Asked about tree health and resilience, Will says: “We will be doing what we can to mitigate losing trees in drought by mulching, which helps keep the ground cool in the summer months and holds the moisture better.

“It is important to do regular checks all year round, though, and to replace any dead saplings, which will ensure a healthy woodland in the long-run. Pests such as squirrels and deer are nightmares for new woodland but more so in the later stages, typically around year 10. Managing populations from the start is the best way to ensure the greatest success for the new trees.”

Future plans

On top of carefully managing its 190ha (469 acres) of existing woodland, the estate’s plans for the future include reducing its use of artificial fertilisers and planting more hedges on top of the 2km already completed under Countryside Stewardship funding.

“The farming operation still requires the use of nitrogen fertilisers, which is the key offender in terms of carbon dioxide emissions,” explains Rob. “Our focus on the farm is to improve soil biology, increase the organic matter and in so doing, sequest carbon and move a step closer to net zero.”

For Will, the family legacy comes with a certain amount of pressure –a responsibility he takes seriously. “There are so many exciting things happening at Welford, led by my parents James and Deborah, and the diversification strategy is well underway and already contributing to the overall running of the estate. Of course, there’s much more work to do.

“Farming is, and always will be, our core business. But I find it extremely encouraging and hopeful when I look at the other successful business and enterprises that Welford is able to facilitate, whether that’s public events, location work or weddings and corporate parties, or doing what we can to combat climate change.

“Welford has many strings, and I truly believe, with hard work, the future looks bright.”

SUPPORTING NATURE’S PRESCRIPTION for WELLBEING

The Straw Patch Project uses nature-based activities to improve mental, social and physical wellbeing. Sarah Wells-Gaston finds out how a CLA Charitable Trust grant is helping deliver the project’s work in the community

Those living in rural communities often face a unique set of circumstances that can affect their mental, social and physical wellbeing. Recognising the impact that loneliness, social anxiety, learning disabilities and depression can have, one community interest company in North Devon has launched a nature-based wellbeing centre to tackle the problem.

The Straw Patch Project was launched by co-founders Alex Straw and Sarah Pedlar during the 2020 Covid lockdown. They created a small wellbeing centre on land owned by Alex to provide ‘nature’s prescription’ and support those in need within the local community.

Nature’s prescription

The centre in Ilfracombe offers a safe outdoor space where beneficiaries –including older people who struggle

with isolation, young adults with learning disabilities or social anxiety, and people who struggle with mental health, stress and depression –participate in a variety of activities. These include sowing, weeding, planting, cooking, animal petting and care, and arts and crafts.

Volunteer Lorna Jones, who helps with fundraising, says: “Most of our beneficiaries come from Ilfracombe - a typical Victorian coastal town. It’s quite

rurally isolated – it takes quite a long time to get to anything – and a lot of employment is based on tourism for six months of the year. During the offseason, everything stops except for the people who live there. There is a lot of disadvantage and deprivation, and as a result, there are a lot of social issues and mental health problems that come with living in a rural community.

“We believe that providing a regular, structured activity outdoors can really make a difference to someone’s positive mental outlook. Together, Alex and Sarah hatched a plan to create a wellbeing project to put the land to use for the benefit of the community. From this, an army of volunteers created the garden, and they contacted community connectors to find the people in need of help. The wellbeing centre now has an allotment, polytunnel, outdoor kitchen area and a craft room - all surrounded by views of the North Devon countryside.”

Community connectors

By working with community connectors such as social housing providers, education providers and local GP surgeries, the Straw Patch Project can identify those who could benefit most from its programmes.

Lorna says: “We run a variety of different groups to benefit the community. For example, we provide groups for older people who live in supported accommodation and are socially isolated, who are referred by their social housing provider. We have a group for people struggling with their mental health and get far more benefit from having nature on prescription than medication - they are referred to us by the wellbeing team at their GP.

“We have a group for young adults with learning disabilities who can’t live independently. They come here with their education provider each week and have a wonderful time because it gives them a sense of freedom. We also work with young teenagers with social anxiety, which sometimes gets so bad they may not want to go to school or really struggle to make friendships. All these groups allow beneficiaries to meet new people and create lasting

‘We believe that outdoor activity can make a difference to someone’s mental outlook’

friendships that allow them to support each other.”

Gardening club

While most programmes run for 12 weeks, the charity also has a gardening club that meets all year round, which provides ongoing support to promote positive mental health through ecotherapy. In April 2023, it received £3,000 from the CLA Charitable Trust.

“The gardening club is for people who have enduring mental health problems,” says Lorna. “For some people, the 12-week programme is enough; they feel better, have made new friends and don’t necessarily have the need to continue. But for other people, the gardening club creates a real lifeline and a family of people that is their support network. It allows them to hold

Facing page: The Straw Patch Project’s Monday group. Different groups cater for people facing different challenges

This page, top: some of the produce and plants grown by the project. Bottom: the project’s Wednesday group at harvest time

on to the benefit they have gained from their programme, giving them longerterm support with mental health, socialisation and wellbeing.

“The group has quite a lot of autonomy as they know how the garden works; they create planting plans and schedules and act as mentors for those newly joining the group or become volunteers at the project.”

The success of the project can be seen by the difference it makes to people’s lives. Lorna adds: “The reputation of the Straw Patch project has grown. We have purposefully maintained the ethos of providing support to small groups who need it.

“Attending sessions at the centre is a way to remove the four walls and allows people the opportunity to engage with others in a similar situation. Those who attend our sessions tell us it is life-changing, and we know that for some it genuinely is life-saving. It gives them a reason to keep going when some days feel unbearable and they can’t find the motivation to get out of bed. Yet they always make it to gardening club because they have a group of people who understand what they are going through.”

A beneficiary of the project says of their experience: “I always look forward to going to Straw Patch every week. It’s good meeting people, having a chat and doing something different each week, learning new skills and helping each other. The setting and surroundings are calming, and getting away from worries and problems at Straw Patch uplifts my mood. I go home happy and cannot wait for the next session. It has helped me with my losses and grief - I wish I could go all the time.”

Straw Patch Project: thestrawpatchproject.com

CLA Charitable Trust: cla.org.uk/about-cla/charitable-trust.

A field of gold

Natalie Oakes meet the CLA members in Shropshire who have created a daffodil field to raise money for Marie Curie UK

Based in the Gatten Valley, to the east of the Stiperstones in the Shropshire Hills, is Pollardine Farm and its field of bright daffodils.

Jane and Lizzie Hulton-Harrop, who farm Pollardine in partnership, created the stunning display using some land they had in hand. Now in its eighth year, they invite people to come and enjoy the field and make a donation to Marie Curie UK.

Jane and Lizzie are passionate about the benefits of farming and nature working hand in hand, and employ holistic management practices to deliver their vision. Restoring key ecosystem processes, such as the water cycle, mineral cycle, energy flow and community dynamics, is their long-term plan, and this is shaping a thriving landscape that works financially, socially and environmentally.

Lizzie says: “We started making changes in 2020 after ending annual grazing licences.

“When the licenses ended, we rested the ground for 12 to 18 months to start the recovery process and then introduced a small suckler herd of Pedigree Aberdeen Angus in November 2022.

“We move the cows twice a week and monitor how their grazing and animal impact is positively affecting the land to restore the key ecosystem processes.”

Having always been interested in charity work, Lizzie volunteered her time during university and has completed a masters in charity management, so being able to raise money for charity using their land seemed an obvious option.

Worth the wait

In the autumn of 2015, 170,000 Carlton daffodil bulbs arrived on a lorry, along with a machine with which to plant them. With the task complete by 5pm, Jane and Lizzie waited patiently.

The field had its first flowering the following spring and has gone from strength to strength, becoming something of a landmark.

The field they chose to plant is set at 1,100 feet and on a north-facing slope, so the flowers are generally late to bloom –but if you keep an eye on their Just Giving page, you can see the best time to visit.

Jane and Lizzie hope the site will give people a place to come and contemplate, and perhaps remember someone special. There is a car park adjacent to the field and benches dotted around so visitors can take their time, enjoy the view and relax.

So far, the Just Giving page has raised £6,737 for Marie Curie, whose nurses allow people to remain at home during the difficult stages of a terminal illness.

Jane says: “Planted to raise money for Marie Curie, our daffodil field is a beautiful sight and an ideal spot for contemplation. We are delighted to see people enjoying it each year.”

Find out more about Jane and Lizzie by visiting their website pollardinefarm.co.uk and their JustGiving page, justgiving.com/ fundraising/daffodilfield. Follow their farming story at Pollardine on Instagram at @pollardinefarm

Because life is for living

With a Tramper three or four wheel scooter, restricted mobility doesn’t mean restricted fun.

Far from it. Designed to the highest safety specifications, these durable, agile, and all-terrain scooters are both exciting and safe to drive in all conditions.

The purpose-designed suspension is fully adjustable to a driver’s needs for optimum comfort, which is just one example of the care and expertise devoted to every part of this funmaking machine. Please call us on 01794 884766 or visit www.tramper.co.uk

Featured

Rated ‘Excellent’

A Stiltz Homelift is an ideal and affordable alternative to a stairlift. You can now safely travel between the they have always been.

Neat, discreet, affordable and elegant

A Stiltz Homelift can be installed into almost any room in your home.

A Stiltz is uniquely compact with the smallest model taking up just over half a square metre. At the touch of a button a Stiltz Homelift turns your now home into your forever home.

• Rapid service

• Cost-effective

• Freestanding designno wall needed

• Small footprint

• 3-floor travel available

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Free, no obligation survey

A Stiltz Homelifts Consultant can visit your property to help you plan the best location for your homelift. They can also answer any questions you might have, as can any of the friendly, UK-based phone team.

For a FREE brochure or no obligation survey give Stiltz Homelifts a call today!

• Wheelchair model available

• Manufactured, installed and fully guaranteed by Stiltz

• Finance options available*

* ask an adviser for details Why

Butek Tanks is a division of Butyl Products Ltd, founded in 1965, which specialises in the design, development, manufacture, and installation of a range of liquid containment products.

Rainwater Harvesting

UK Manufactured Rainwater Harvesting System designed to be connected to farm buildings roof discharge pipes. Supply only, or, installed by our trained technicians.

Water Storage Tank

Water storage tanks with capacities ranging from 5,000 litres to 2,000,000 litres. Pipework, connectors, filtration units and installation services available.

Water / Wastewater, Steel Tanks and Bladders

We can provide a variety of galvanised steel water tanks and water bladders for a range of uses such as liquid slurry storage, emergency water storage, drinking water and chemically contaminated wastewater.

Slurry Tanks

•We provide a supply and install solution for the control of animal waste on farms.

•Standard sizes from 280m3 - 1100m3

Water Bladder Tanks

•500 to 150,000 litre capacity.

•Supplied as individual tanks or as part of a kit.

01277 653 281enquiries@butektanks.co.ukwww.butektanks.co.uk

07825 193278

enquiries@tilhill.com

SEASONAL EATS:

Roast Herdwick Lamb with mint sauce

To celebrate seasonal British cooking, this month, chef and food author Gilli Davies shares her traditional roast lamb recipe

Ingredients (serves 4-6)

Spring lamb makes for a traditional feast, but with Easter being early this year, spring lambs will have been born in the latter part of last year and spent the last few months tucked up with their mothers in sheds. While it will be tender, I generally choose to eat lamb that is over a year old for the flavour.

Lamb is expensive wherever you buy it and has become a bit of a luxury, so make sure you get the best. A trusted butcher will sell you good lamb, farmers’ markets where you can talk to the stall holders are ideal, and farm shops selling homegrown lamb are also a good bet.

How lean do you like your lamb? A chef will likely opt for fatter lamb to get the best flavour, and there are ways to balance the flavour of the fat with sharp and sweet accompaniments. I use a

separating jug to pour off the meat juices at the bottom, leaving the fat above. Mint sauce is the perfect accompaniment, adding sharp, aromatic appeal.

Grass-fed lamb is at its best from May/June onwards. One of the hardiest breeds of British hill sheep are Herdwick, the Lake District’s native breed. Their meat is dark, lean and tender with a gamey flavour, and goes well with tangy mint sauce.

Roast leg of Herdwick Lamb with mint sauce from Flavours of England Roasts by Gilli Davies. Photographed by Huw Jones, published by Graffeg.

Members can benefit from a 20% discount on the Flavours of England book series. Use code CLA20 at checkout. Order online at graffeg.com/ collections/food.

cider in and cover loosely with tin foil.

1.5-2kg leg of lamb

8 sprigs of fresh rosemary

2 tablespoons honey

25g butter, melted 150ml dry cider

Salt and ground black pepper

For the mint sauce:

A large handful of fresh mint leaves

1 tablespoon caster sugar

3-4 tablespoons cider or wine vinegar

2 tablespoons boiling water

Method

1. Preheat the fan oven to 190°c.

2. Using a sharp knife, make small cuts in the leg of lamb and insert the rosemary.

3. Mix the butter and honey together with salt and pepper and pour this over the leg of lamb. Put into a roasting tin, pour the

4. Roast the lamb for between 1 ¼ and 1 ½ hours (allowing 20 minutes per 500g and 20 minutes extra).

5. When half-cooked, remove the foil and baste frequently with the roasting juices for the remaining time.

6. Remove the joint from the oven, lift the lamb onto a warmed serving plate, cover loosely with foil and leave to stand for 20-30 minutes. Skim any excess fat from the surface of the pan juices before reheating and seasoning to taste.

7. For the mint sauce, finely chop the mint leaves and mix with the sugar in a small bowl. Add the boiling water and stir well until the sugar has dissolved. Stir in the vinegar to taste and leave the sauce to stand for half an hour to allow the avours to blend.

Case Study - Log Cabins associated with Coarse Fishing Lakes

Planning. Design. Property

Business interruption insurance

CLA Insurance highlights the different types of business interruption cover available to members to help protect against unexpected events

If something happens to buildings or machinery, you would expect your farm insurance policy to cover the repair, rebuild or replacement. However, during the period when you might not be able to carry out normal business activities, it will not cover revenue lost or increased spending. That’s where business interruption/loss of revenue insurance cover can help.

Different types of business interruption insurance could include:

Turnover: Covers loss of farm income and normal operating expenses until you can resume day-to-day business activities (typically when a property is rebuilt).

Rental income: Covers rental income if a let building is damaged for the period it takes to repair the property and find a new tenant.

Deadstock: Input materials, such as fertiliser, feed, seed, hay or straw.

Increased cost of working: Gives extra cover to help you reduce claims costs (for example, hiring a combine harvester following a fire).

Additional increased cost of working: This wider cover allows increased costs that maintain the business or service but do not necessarily reduce or avoid a loss of turnover. This cover must be specified separately and is not automatically included if you have business interruption cover.

For some incomes there are specialist insurance products, such as livestock disease cover.

Indemnity period

This is the maximum length of time your business income is paid by the insurer. For arable incomes, 12 months is often considered sufficient. However, due to current supply chain issues, we urge clients to

consider longer indemnity periods to protect their income. For larger and more complex dairy units, 24 to 36 months may be needed to rebuild and re-establish a herd.

Buildings are now taking longer to rebuild, with delays in purchasing materials, obtaining planning consent and finding new tenants. In this case, a 24 to 36-month indemnity period is recommended.

Arable farming

Set the sum insured as the expected grain sales revenue for the coming year to cover both produce and deadstock in the event of a loss. So, if a crop is destroyed by fire in store or standing in the field, compensation is for the crop’s end value.

Livestock farming

Insure breeding stock, i.e. milking cows, under your policy’s livestock section, and offspring and milk produced under the loss of revenue section. By insuring produce as revenue and not livestock, in the event of a major loss to your breeding stock, the value of future offspring and milk is also covered – even if not yet born or produced.

CLA Insurance can help to prevent unnecessary losses in your business and advise on what cover is best to protect your income. Please get in touch and one of our team can offer their expertise and suggest next steps to prevent loss of business.

Tilhill

Tilhill offers a one-stop service for tree planting on farms, including woodland creation, management, selling woodland-generated carbon units, and timber harvesting.

The firm helps farmers gain value from less productive marginal land, with services fulfilled by qualified and experienced managers to increase biodiversity, bring farmers the best value from timber and increase the whole farm’s value. Internal interactions between forestry and harvesting managers help Tilhill provide an unrivalled service.

Working with CarbonStore, it unites farmers who want to sell with companies that want to buy certified woodland carbon units. Together, CarbonStore’s knowledge, Tilhill’s skills and Maelor Forest Nurseries’ UK-grown trees have planted more than 1 billion trees. tilhill.com

Cripps & Co Wedding Venues

For more than 30 years, Cripps & Co has collaborated with landowners to breathe new life into disused agricultural buildings, transforming them into high-end wedding venues. Often situated in listed buildings, conservation areas and National Parks, these venues play a pivotal role in estate diversification strategies.

The ecology season starting in May marks the perfect time to embark on this transformative journey with Cripps & Co.

crippsandco.com/build

Branching out

Want to make better use of your natural capital, or break ground on a new business idea? These service providers are here to help

Trinity Agtech

Trinity Agtech’s Sandy software provides a credible and comprehensive way for estate managers to measure and manage their carbon footprint and wider natural capital. It uses management information and primary data to produce a carbon footprint from estate level down to individual fields, as well as a biodiversity score, water protection report and natural capital valuation. Sandy is the only product to meet the recommended ISO 14064-2 and ISO 14067 minimum standards and is backed by more than 45 scientists. Once users have run their reports, its optimisation and scenario planning features allow managers to easily see the impact of changes. It can also be used to generate carbon credits for direct sale or via external marketplaces. trinityagtech.com

020 7071 6900 info@trinityagtech.com

MJ Abbott

Established in 1965, MJ Abbott has grown to become one of the southern England’s premiergroundworks, water engineering and wastewater treatment companies.

The firm specialises in site excavation, earthworks,concrete surfacesand structures, car parks, drainage and landscaping. It provides fullfarm and estate privatewater supply designin compliance with current water regulations,

including borehole drilling and feasibility, pumped system and distribution, andwater quality analysis and treatment.

MJ Abbott also designs and installs compliant sewage and wastewater treatment systems for large domestic, commercial and industrial sites, treating wastewater to environmental standards for even the most stringent environmental requirements. mjabbott.co.uk

01722 716361 enquiries@mjabbott.co.uk

IMAGE: ISTOCK,

Cymru / Wales news

Largest ever cross-party Senedd report into the needs of the rural economy launched

The first cross-party Senedd report on the productivity of Wales’ rural economy was launched at a Senedd event in March. Generating Growth in the Rural Economy: an Inquiry into Rural Productivity in Wales sets out 19 low-cost recommendations across infrastructure and connectivity, housing and planning, tourism, and food and farming that, if implemented, could unleash the potential of Wales’ rural economy.

Fraser McAuley, CLA Cymru Senior Policy Adviser, says: “This part of the Welsh economy has been invisible in plain sight for too long. One-third of the Welsh population lives in rural areas, where there is a dynamic business community of more than 100,000 enterprises, which is growing in scope and scale.”

The report recommends re-establishing a Rural Development Board to facilitate rural growth, with powers and a budget to deliver a rural development strategy.

Fraser says: “The report calls for a raft of measures to ensure the planning system can become an enabler for responsible growth. It calls for improvement in local development plans and how they are delivered, including the introduction of

‘planning in principle’ to enable investment and development to take place. The report also calls for immediate action to tackle the phosphate-caused moratorium on planning in many river catchments.”

Measures to revitalise rural tourism are also included. The report recommends Visit Wales become an arms-length body, with resources and representation similar to its equivalents in the rest of the UK. Impact assessments need to be conducted on new regulations and fiscal initiatives affecting holiday let providers, and appropriate exemptions made to the 182-day threshold for business tax on tourist accommodation.

“There is a huge amount of work to be done by the Welsh Government to create a viable Sustainable Farming Scheme,” Fraser adds. “We need to raise Wales to the same position as England, where a scheme is being rolled out.

“It’s been reassuring to see MSs from all main parties working together on a single mission. The inquiry and the resulting report represent a launchpad for further work on the rural economy by this established cross-party group.”

To read the report, visit cla.org.uk/inyour-area/wales

Welsh Government must stop highway litter

Members have raised the issue of litter from motorways and designated highways on private and agricultural land. The Welsh Government is responsible for waste management on these, while local authorities are responsible for other roads.

Victoria Bond says: “This waste is often hazardous to humans, livestock and wildlife. It contaminates, is costly to clear and is unsightly.”

In 2021, CLA Cymru responded to the Welsh Government’s consultation on its Litter and Fly Tipping Prevention Plan, but members have seen little action and noimprovement.

Victoria says: “The government has made some progress in the reduction of industrial and service providers intermediatepackaging, reducing waste at source and improving recycling. However, little progress has been made in the parts of the plan that tackle waste once it is discarded.

“I’m calling on the Wesh Government to take further action – not only revisiting and updating the plan but stepping up on clearance and increasing enforcement by taking action. Concerning changing society’s bad habits, in other areas, the government is employing psychological research and behavioural insights to change the culture. This could inform and drive a campaign involving all road users.”

CLA CYMRU

Orbit Business Centre

Rhydycar Business Park

Merthyr Tydfil

CF48 1DL

A new National Park for North Wales?

The Welsh Government must set aside its proposal to create a new National Park in North East Wales, listen to the local community and focus on supporting its fragile economy.

CLA Cymru Director Victoria Bond says: “The needs of the rural community and the businesses working there must come first in any further consideration of a new National Park in the Clwyd Range and Dee Valley area. Their needs should come above wider popular notions of another National Park.”

The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty designation was assigned in 2011, setting aside the National Park option. However, last year the Welsh Government appointed Natural Resources Wales to assess arguments to redesignate the area. In the autumn, it conducted a series of public consultation events to assess the concept, and we expect a consultation process on the boundaries to be launched this year, followed by a full consultation. The Welsh Government is expected to decide on the designation by the end of this Senedd term (2026).

“The notion of a new National Park sounds impressive, but it’s neither the best way to meet national sustainability goals nor the best way to support the local community,” says Victoria. “The Welsh Government must focus on the immediate practical priorities of sustainable development, which includes keeping farmers farming, economic growth and the responsible development of urgently needed housing alongside the management of our natural resources.

“In the context of the crisis in public funding, the Welsh Government must also assess the likely impact of a new National Park on resourcing the existing designated areas and supporting their economies.

“I expect any proposals to include a full economic and social impact assessment, clarity for businesses about the implications on planning consent, infrastructure development and other local regulations and restrictions,” Victoria adds. “Local business voices must be heard. We will be hosting an event in early May to provide a forum for members’ views and to develop a robust position on any emerging proposals from the Welsh Government.”

To find out more about the event, visit cla.org.uk/ events.

CLA CYMRU DIRECTOR

VICTORIA BOND victoria.bond@cla.org.uk

01547 317085

@CLAWales

Events for your diary

● Wales Perfumery Workshop | 24 April | 10am–12.30pm | Monmouth

● Royal Welsh Smallholding & Countryside Festival

| 18–19 May | Llanelwedd

● Hartpury Agri-Tech Centre | 23 May | 10am–2pm Hartpury

● White Castle Vineyard tour, tasting and lunch

12 June | 11.30am–2.30pm | Abergavenny

● North Wales National Park Meeting, hosted by

CLA Cymru | Date and time TBC | Ruthin Rugby Club

Book your place online at cla.org.uk/events, or call

01547 317085

South East news

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey, Sussex

Events special: Join us at a CLA South East event

AGMs 2024

Our 2024 AGM season starts next month. Keep an eye on your emails for the full invitations, with events including:

Sussex AGM at Montague Farm on 8 May

Surrey AGM at Buckland Park on 11 June

Oxfordshire AGM at Tusmore on 13 June

Kent AGM at Hole Park on 1 July

Isle of Wight AGM at

Stenbury Manor on 13 August

All events will feature a talk from a CLA officer, a chance to explore the host venue plus food, refreshments and networking opportunities.

Last chance to book: Future of Farming conference

Bookings will close shortly for our Future of Farming

workshops led by a range of experts on topics including tech, food production, marketing and carbon.

It runs from 2.30pm to 7.30pm and costs £10, with the ticket price being donated to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

Rural Professionals Conference

Hear updates and insight on a range of topical issues, and network with peers, at the CLA’s Rural Professionals Conference this summer.

The event will be held at Loseley Park in Surrey on Tuesday 25 June. CLA experts will outline the latest developments and policy announcements, covering what they mean for you and your clients.

To book any of the events listed, visit cla.org.uk/events or call 01264 358195 conference on Thursday 18 April. Run by the CLA, Plumpton College and Virgin Money, an exciting mix of speakers will share their experiences and advice focusing on productivity and sustainability, held at the college in Sussex.

The line-up includes former environment secretary Lord Deben, Joe Stanley, Head of Training and Partnerships at the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s Allerton Project, farmer and BBC Countryfile Young Countryside Champion 2022 Eleanor Gilbert, and young tenant farmer Flavian Obiero.

On arrival, attendees can also sign up to two of four

The day also includes opportunities to network, offering an ideal opportunity for continuing professional development.

Planning events

We are running a series of planning events this month, full of useful tips and tricks for those navigating the system’s complexities.

Expert speakers will cover the potential pitfalls of the planning application process, including what development can be achieved without the need for full planning permission (permitted development).

Montague Farm

Joe Stanley Flavian Obiero

CLA SOUTH EAST

Fosse House, East Anton Court, Icknield Way, Andover, Hants SP10 5RG

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

These seminars will also look at how to bring land forward for allocation for housing and other development including promotion, option agreements and other conditional contracts.

These seminars will take place at the following locations in the South East:

Millets Farm Centre, Oxfordshire, 10 April, 2.30–5.30pm.

Kingdom, near Tonbridge, Kent, 11 April, 9.30am–12.30pm.

Myrtle’s Courtyard at Hampton Estate, near Seale, Surrey, 11 April, 2.30–5.30pm.

The sessions cost £24 including VAT for members (£36 for non-members), and are supported by Catesby Estates and The Rural Planning Practice.

South of England Show

Lord and Lady Carnarvon are the keynote speakers at the CLA’s breakfast event kicking off this year’s South of England Show in Sussex.

The couple run Highclere Castle in Hampshire, the country house that worldwide television audiences will recognise as Downton Abbey.

The Carnarvons will deliver a thoughtprovoking talk on life at Highclere and what the future may hold, on Friday 7 June from 8.30am to 10am.

Tickets are free and include a hot breakfast, but we expect spaces to fill quickly so recommend early booking. Visit the CLA website or call the office on 01264 358195

From 3.30pm to 4.30pm on 7 June, our annual show awards will return and be presented at a drinks reception, celebrating rural achievements and success stories. CLA Deputy President Gavin Lane will also offer an update.

The CLA team will be on hand to welcome members and help with any support or advice needed, as well as all day on Saturday 8 June. There will also be a payable lunch

TIM BAMFORD

01264 358195

tim.bamford@cla.org.uk @CLASouthEast

service on the Friday – we recommend securing a table by booking in advance via the CLA office.

Our ringside marquee is supported by longterm partners Batcheller Monkhouse and Warners Solicitors.

Contact details

If you need to contact the CLA South East team, our phone number is 01264 358195, which replaced the previous number last year – we recommend removing the old one from your records.

Loseley Park (above), Lord and Lady Carnarvon (right)

South West news

Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire

Meeting with Labour Parliamentary Prospective Candidate Jayne Kirkham

Ann Maidment recently met with Jayne Kirkham, the Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Truro and Falmouth, during a visit hosted by Catherine Mead OBE at Lynher Dairies.

During the meeting, the CLA South West team highlighted the rural economy’s potential and the benefits offered by businesses, but also the challenges faced ahead of a general election.

Discussions focused on farming and the challenges for Cornish farmers, future support and trade. With Cornwall having the second-largest area of permanent pasture in the country, the need for the right support for those farmers was felt to be important. Other key areas of discussion included devolution, affordable homes in Cornwall and improving the planning system.

It’s show time

Plans for our 2024 show season are in full swing. Alongside our breakfasts, we’ll be hosting a range of informative and social activities.

We return on the first day of Devon County Show (16–18 May) with our popular political breakfast, and to which key government ministers have been invited to speak. Booking for the CLA breakfast is essential, and members are advised that attendance does not include entry to the show. We have arranged a discount on ticket prices for members

when booking via the show website: use promotional code LAND24 at the checkout. Corporate hospitality tables (for 10 people) are available for this breakfast event at a cost of £160 +VAT. If you would like to reserve a table, please email Events Manager Isabella Hamilton on isabella.hamilton@cla.org.uk We will once again be partnering with the Royal Bath & West Show (30 May–1 June), where we will host the CLA breakfast on Thursday 30 May in the council marquee. The team then head to the Royal Cornwall Show, where the CLA marquee will

Advance notice: Dorset AGM 2024

We are fortunate to be able to hold the 2024 Dorset branch AGM at St Giles House, by kind permission of the Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury, on Tuesday 18 June; we will be joined by CLA Director of Membership and Regions Ben Underwood. The AGM will be followed by tour of the house, which has undergone a period of restoration as the Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury embarked on a project to bring the house back to its original charm. Further details will be announced in due course.

provide a fantastic space in which to sit back and relax from the hustle and bustle of the show.

Our show season will conclude with breakfast events at both Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show and Melplash Show. We will update members with further details and confirmation of speakers in due course, so please keep an eye out for updates in our e-newsletter and on social media.

CLA SOUTH WEST

Manor Farm Stables, Biddestone, Wiltshire

SN14 7DH

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

ANN MAIDMENT

01249 700200

ann.maidment@cla.org.uk @CLASouthwest

Forthcoming events in the South West

Energy Update with CLA Energy

Tuesday 16 April | 9.30am–1pm | Chipping Sodbury Golf Club, BS37, 6PU £12pp inc. VAT

CLA Energy will discuss topics such as procurement and strategies, renewables and onsite generation, products and services. This will be followed by a planning talk with a regional adviser with time for questions and an opportunity to network over a buffet lunch. CLA Energy will be running an energy surgery where members can bring a bill for a free energy health check. Event supported by Sylvania.

Lynher Dairies farm walk

Wednesday 17 April

10.15am–12.30pm | Lynher Dairies, Ponsanooth, TR3 7JQ | £14pp inc. VAT *Please note the change of date* Lynher Dairies, owned by Catherine Mead OBE, produces award-winning cheeses based on a 17thcentury recipe. Hear from Catherine, enjoy a farm tour and taste its specialist cheeses.

Rural crime prevention walk

Tuesday 23 April

3.30–4.30pm | Crab Farm, Shapwick, DT11 9JL | £6pp inc. VAT

South West Rural Surveyor Mark Burton and members of the Dorset Police rural crime team will cover different types of rural crime and steps to take to protect your property, land and livestock. We will also be joined by CLA Insurance, who work with

businesses of all sizes to identify and mitigate risk.

Planning and development seminar

Thursday 25 April 9.30am–12pm

Wincanton Racecourse, BA9 8BJ

Badminton Horse Trials, Gloucestershire | £108pp inc. VAT

Members £20pp inc. VAT / non-members

£30pp inc. VAT

Our speakers’ panel will discuss the opportunities and potential pitfalls in the planning application process, including what can be achieved through permitted development. It will also discuss how to bring land forward for allocation for housing and other development. Event supported by Symonds & Sampson.

Discover Forest Gardening

Tuesday 30 April | 1.45–4.30pm | The Forest Garden, Budock Water, TR11 5ED | £23pp inc. VAT

Simon Miles NCH RHS will be your tour guide for our visit to his three-acre demonstration forest garden. Members will see the principles of forest gardening laid out in its practical form. Refreshments will be provided after the tour.

Badminton Horse Trials course walk with Alexander Bragg

Wednesday 8 May 10.15am–2.30pm

We are delightedto join forces with AlbertGoodman to bring you this exciting event. Aimed at those who make up the CLA Next GenerationNetwork, the course walk offers an opportunity for the next generation of landowners to form meaningful connections with both the CLA and their peers.Includes a twocourselunch.

Visit to Hartpury AgriTech Centre

Thursday 23 May | 10am–2pm Hartpury University & College, GL19 3BE | £20pp inc. VAT

In this joint eventwith CLA Cymru, we will visit the Hartpury Digital Innovation Farm. Members will learn about how the centre can provide business support for farmers to thrive in the digital world. There will also be a buffet lunch.

For full information or to book on to any of these events, visit cla.org.uk/events.

Midlands news

Cheshire, Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Rutland Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire

The CLA Midlands team has been busy increasing its engagement with MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates (PPC) as we gear up for a general election.

We recently attended a sell-out event in Clun held by the Conservative Rural Forum, which featured Farming Minister Mark Spencer on a panel with Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for South Shropshire Stuart Anderson and Conservative MP for Montgomeryshire Craig Williams, who were quizzed on a variety of topics.

We also held a roundtable meeting with CLA members in the High Peak constituency with Labour PPC Jon Pearce.

Political engagement Committee updates

At our recent round of committee meetings we discussed and consulted on important issues to help formulate policy when lobbying government.

Several observers have since been co-opted onto the committees. We would like to welcome the following:

Cheshire

● Paul Hutchinson

● Martyn Dobinson

● Kate Mason

Herefordshire

● Arabella Salwey

● Ben Drummond

Leicestershire & Rutland

Members discussed their concerns about successors and ways to encourage the next generation to continue living and working in the area, among other things.

Lib Dem MP for North Shropshire Helen Morgan also joined us for a roundtable to meet constituents and discuss a varied agenda, including rural planning and crime.

We are currently working on meeting MPs and PPCs within our region. If you would be interested in attending or hosting a roundtable or farm walk, please get in touch with Midlands Communications Manager Natalie Oakes on 07753 574675 or email natalie.oakes@cla.org.uk.

HS2 update

● Becky Wilson

● Neal Patterson

Shropshire

● Richard Corbet

Staffordshire

● Helen Gough

Warwickshire

● Alistair McGregor

● Sam Gosling

● Sam White

The next branch committee meetings are planned for May. If you would like to attend as an observer, please contact Jan Hewes by calling 01785 337010 or emailing jan.hewes@cla.org.uk.

It is six months since Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the cancellation of Phase 2 of the HS2 project. Safeguarding has been removed on Phase 2a and a land remediation policy is being formulated. HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport are looking to remove safeguarding on Phase 2b in the summer.

There are still issues around outstanding compensation and the return of property to its original owners. It is anticipated that HS2 Ltd and/or the Department for Transport will write to affected individuals to highlight next steps, but challenges remain as HS2 Ltd has diverted attention to the non-cancelled Phase 1. The CLA continues to engage with members and represent their interests.

Left: Meeting Lib Dem MP for North Shropshire Helen Morgan

Above: Roundtable with Labour PPC Jon Pearce at Edale

CLA MIDLANDS

Knightley, Woodseaves, Staffordshire

ST20 0JW

Worry for farmers as we head into lambing season

Several reports from rural crime teams highlight that livestock worrying is on the rise as we head into lambing season. The recent announcement that the government will be supporting the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill, which gives greater powers to police when tackling livestock worrying, is welcome news.

Jim Clark from Cheshire’s rural crime team created Operation Recall, a national campaign that brings together police forces, organisations and the public to create a platform to reduce the number of incidents.

Jim says: “Operation Recall isn’t about persecuting people, it’s about education and awareness.

“From my experience, I can say with confidence I’ve not met any farmer who hasn’t cared for their animals and isn’t deeply upset when an attack occurs.

“Equally, having dealt with a large number of dog owners or persons who should have been in control of a dog at the time of a livestock attack, I can also say that there are very few that don’t care for their dog or indeed the livestock that has been affected – most of the time it’s an unawareness of their surroundings in thecountryside.”

Leicestershire Rural Policing Team Sargent Rob Cross adds: “Over the last few months we have seen a marked increase in livestock attacks and worrying offences.

“While there have been prosecutions and positive outcomes in Leicestershire, we would rather not have reports to investigate in the first place.

“Nationally, Operation Recall aims to harness best practice and includes education in schools, vets and withnew dog owners. The overarching message is simple and it is keep your dog on a lead, and under control around livestock.”

Carol Cotterill of Warwickshire Police’s rural crime team says: “We are pleased to welcome the announcement of government backing of legislation to assist the police in tackling these incidents.

“As a force, we are part of the Operation Recall initiative, working with the rural community to encourage responsible dog ownership and to raise awareness of proper dog handling near livestock.”

All instances of livestock worrying should be reported to the police, as this helps them keep a true record of cases of the crime and allows them to tackle the issue effectively. If you witness livestock worrying, you can call the police on 999 to report it. If the dog has left the scene of the attack, you can call 101.

REGIONAL DIRECTOR

SOPHIE DWERRYHOUSE

01785 337010

sophie.dwerryhouse@cla.org.uk

@CLAMidlands

Dates for your diary

CLA Midlands & CLA East planning & development

seminar | Tuesday 9 April | 2:30–5:30pm | Buckminster

Village Hall, Grantham NG33 5SB

Visit to Ironbridge & Shropshire AGM

Tuesday 16 April | 9:30am–12:30pm | Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Coalbrookdale, TF8 7DQ

CLA Midlands planning & development seminar

Tuesday 23 April | 9am–12:30pm | Stonebridge Golf Centre, Coventry, CV7 7PL

Summer drinks reception at Melbourne Hall

Friday 10 May | Melbourne Hall, Derbyshire, DE73 8EN

For more information or to book onto any upcoming event, visit cla.org.uk/events or contact Natalie Ryles in the Midlands office on natalie.ryles@cla.org.uk or 01785 337010. To find out about sponsorship opportunities, please speak to Natalie.

North news

Cleveland, Cumbria, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, Yorkshire

Farewell from Lucinda

I want to take this opportunity to thank you. I have thoroughly enjoyed working for you - the CLA members - to represent you and your interests, and engaging with you at every opportunity. Be it phone calls I’ve made to members to gather insights and feedback about the CLA, our committees, AGMs, shows and events, my interactions with CLA members have been fulfilling and inspiring.

I’d also like to thank partners who have supported us in the events we have hosted, and the stakeholders and MPs I have engaged with, who have taken on board the views of the CLA to influence policy in our members’ best interests.

Most of all, I would like to thank the fantastic team at the North office; they are the most supportive colleagues, who share a passion for the CLA and its members. I have every faith that I leave the CLA in the best possible hands.

Interim arrangements

The recruitment process for a new director for the North is ongoing. In the intervening period, Henk Geertsema will be Interim CLA North Director. Henk is a longstanding member of the CLA North team and will ensure the best service to our members is maintained during this period.

North East and Yorkshire AGMs – register today

Members can now register to attend the North East and Yorkshire AGMs.

North East AGM

14 May | 10.30am (registration from 10am) Belsay Estate, NE20 0DX, Northumberland Featuring guest speaker CLA Vice President Joe Evans

Yorkshire AGM 21 May | 10.30am (registration from 10am) Birdsall House on Birdsall Estate, YO17 9NU near Malton

Featuring guest speaker CLA President Victoria Vyvyan

The AGMs are supported by Womble Bond Dickinson (North East) and Wrigleys Solicitors (Yorkshire). Members in the North East and Yorkshire who don’t hold a valid email address will be sent their printed AGM convening notices in the post. To book, visit cla.org.uk/ events.

Members requiring assistance should contact CLA North Events Manager Rachael Clayton on 01748 90 7070.

The Cumbria and Lancashire AGMs will take place in the autumn.

16

21

23

CLA NORTH

Aske Stables, Aske, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL10 5HG

Events for your diary

Planning and development seminar

16 April | 9.30am–1pm | Scotch Corner Hotel, DL10 6NR

Members embarking on a planning journey to support their rural business should attend our technical seminar.

Uncovering the secrets of success for landowners, our panel of speakers will reveal how to navigate the pitfalls of the process, including what development can be achieved without the need for full planning permission (permitted development).

This seminar will also unravel how to bring land forward for allocation for housing and other development including promotion, option agreements and other conditional contracts.

Event supported by SJP Law and Rural Solutions. Tickets: £20 inc. VAT for CLA members; £30 inc. VAT for non-members.

Exclusive tour: Lowther Estate rewilding project and castle 18 April | 10am–3.30pm | Lowther Castle CA10 2HH

Join our behind-the-scenes tour of the Lowther Estate, led by its CEO David Bliss. David will talk about Lowther Estate’s rewilding and diversification project prior to a tour of the estate.

The tour will take in the completed works to the Japanese and rose gardens, the estate’s eco-system management, wetlands, wild ower

Meet our CLA North Regional Sales Manager

Following a reshuffle of areas, Roger Eldergill now covers the North (Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, and the North East) as the first point of contact for anyone looking to join the CLA in these areas. Roger’s previous role at the CLA covered part of the Midlands as well as Lincolnshire. He has a wealth of sales and business development experience, and is particularly interested in business sustainability management. Outside of work, Roger enjoys spending time with his family, wife and border collie.

Roger says: “I am thrilled to have joined the CLA’s team in the North, especially as I grew up in Lancashire. I am now looking forward to new challenges, working alongside my colleagues, offering membership solutions to the rural community across the North.”

Roger will be happy to visit or speak with you to explain how rural business owners can benefit from all aspects of CLA membership to help you manage your rural enterprise. Alternatively, if you have any recommendations for potential new members, please contact him directly on 07900 718958.

INTERIM REGIONAL DIRECTOR

HENK GEERTSEMA

01748 907070

henk.geertsema@cla.org.uk

@CLANorth

meadows, rewilding and extensive planting scheme of 220,000 trees.

After the tour, lunch will be served, followed by a full guided tour of the castle and grounds.

Event supported by the Forestry Commission. Tickets: £35 inc. VAT.

Book your place for either event at cla.org.uk/events. For help registering, contact Rachael Clayton, CLA North Events Manager, on 01748 907070

East news

Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk

CLA East events programme for AGMs, visits and summer shows

The CLA East team is delighted to invite you to its 2024 programme of summer visits, AGMs and summer show activities. Every year, the CLA offers members a chance to visit forwardthinking rural businesses and go behind the scenes of their farming operations and unique diversifications. Once again we have an eclectic mix to share, and we hope to see as many of you as possible at the visits. It will be another busy year for agricultural shows in

2024 and, as a CLA member, you are invited to a range of events across the summer. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and drinks with us and socialise in our marquees at a range of shows in the region.

Hatfield Park Estate

Hertfordshire and Middlesex

Tuesday 23 April

Hear about regenerative farming, nature conservation, property management and farm diversification during a visit to the stunning Hatfield Park Estate.

Stuntney Estate inc. Ben’s Yard Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire

Thursday 25 April

Visit this new rural retail village on the beautifully landscaped Stuntney Estate and enjoy a guided walk along the wildflower trails.

Hexgreave Hall Estate

Nottinghamshire

Tuesday 30 April

An opportunity to hear about the transformation of this traditional Nottinghamshire estate and go behind the scenes of Strawson, the family farming business that specialises in cereal and vegetable production.

Wilkin and Sons

Essex

Wednesday 8 May

The Wilkin family has been making quality preserves since 1885. Hear about their method of growing strawberries at scale, along with the challenges of labour, water management, pest control and disease, and learn about their renewable energy projects.

Revesby Estate

Lincolnshire

Thursday 9 May

Learn how Revesby Estate is improving its natural environment, community and historic assets. Hear how the estate manages its arable land, wetland, woodland and grassland and discover more about its commercial enterprises.

Kenton Hall Estate

Suffolk

Wednesday 15 May

Hear about the McVeigh family’s approach to regenerative farming, agroforestry and alternative cropping, and learn about the estate’s diversified businesses, including a wedding venue, glamping site and cookery school.

Wendling Beck Project

Norfolk

Thursday 16 May

A unique opportunity to visit the Wendling Beck Project, a pioneering habitat creation, nature restoration and regenerative farming project spanning almost 2,000 acres of land north of Dereham in Norfolk.

Stanford Hall

Northamptonshire

Thursday 23 May

Stanford Hall is Grade I listed and surrounded by 700 acres of private park and woodland. Hear about the estate’s rolling programme of regeneration and conservation and how it hosts educational programmes and cultural events annually.

The price for the events listed above is £47 + VAT per person. All members are welcome to attend any branch visit, subject to ticket availability. In some circumstances, priority will be given to members of that county branch.

Members may only vote at their own county branch

AGM. You are welcome to bring non-CLA members as guests, subject to ticket availability. Early booking is advised due to expected high demand.

To book, visit cla.org. uk/events, contact the office on 01638 590429 or email east@cla.org.uk

Navigate the planning system

Tuesday 9 April 2024, 2–5:30pm

Buckminster Village Hall, Leicestershire/ Lincolnshire border, NG33 5SB

CLA members: £24 Nonmembers: £36

To support members with their current development endeavours, the CLA is hosting seminars across England to help explain the planning application process and potential pitfalls to look out for.

CLA East Next Generation

social: Redwell Brewery tour and pizza

Tuesday 21 May, 4–8pm

The Arches, Bracondale, Trowse Norwich, NR1 2EF £30 + VAT

Enjoy a visit to this small Norwich brewery and learn how Redwell beers are created using locally farmed Norfolk malt and a variety of crops from around the world. You will be shown each stage of the brewing process, sample some of the great tasting beers and network with peers. Your booking also includes a stone-

baked pizza from the Redwell Vault Pizzeria.

The CLA East’s summer show season events

Suffolk Show

Trinity Park, Ipswich

29–30 May

Enjoy a full English breakfast on both days of the Suffolk Show in the CLA marquee, at the heart of the showground. You can also join us for lunch on both days, where our locally sourced food will refuel you for a busy afternoon at the show.

Cereals

Bygrave Woods at Newnham Farm, Hertfordshire

11 - 12 June

We have teamed up with Savills once again to host an informal breakfast on its stand on the first day, with free breakfast rolls and tea and coffee ahead of a short CLA policy update.

Lincolnshire Show

Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln 19–20 June

On day one we will serve a full English breakfast at 8.45am. This will be followed by a two-course

lunch, open to all CLA members and their guests. On day two you can join us for an informal lunch from 12pm.

Royal Norfolk Show

Norfolk Showground, Norwich

26–27 June

Join us for an early-bird breakfast from 8am on

both days of the show. You can also enjoy locally sourced food and drink at lunch on both days.

Groundswell

Lannock Manor Farm, Hertfordshire

26–27 June

The CLA will be back at Groundswell, an event that provides a forum for those interested in the theory and practical applications of regenerative farming systems.

To book onto any of these events, visit cla.org.uk/events or call 01638 590 429

Developing opportunities

A selection of companies with planning & development expertise

Award winning, independent planning and heritage consultancy based in Yorkshire and operating nationally.

12 strong team of qualified planners, 30 years of successfully advising rural businesses, land agents, Estates and major developer clients alike.

Our experience is clear, just see our website. Contact us for free initial advice.

ELG Planning

David.Boulton@elgplanning.co.uk 07398 141432

elgplanning.co.uk

Halletec provide expertise in minerals and waste incorporating resource assessments, negotiating working rights agreements, estate management, royalty reviews and valuations. We offer a range of planning consultancy work that includes all residential works, commercial development, rural diversification, regeneration schemes, telecommunications, permitted development works, and advertisement consent. We also advise on local plan promotion, site appraisals, and viability assessments.

Halletec are registered valuers with RICS accreditation and hold chartered RTPI membership.

Halletec Environmental Ltd 01630 698 035

info@halletec.co.uk

halletec.co.uk

LD&PC Ltd are a planning and development consultancy based in north Wiltshire with over 25 years experience providing advice to landowners, developers, community groups and local authorities.

Operating throughout the Wessex region and beyond, we offer clients seasoned consultancy on planning aspects of all forms of rural development, and have a reputation for clear advice, and a pragmatic approach to the particular challenges of development in the countryside.

Land, Development & Planning Consultants Ltd 01249 782496

planning@LPDC.co LDPC.co

youngsRPS is one of the North East’s leading, independent firms of RICS Rural and Commercial Surveyors, Land and Estate Agents and Development Consultants. We operate nationally, but principally across the North of England and Scotland, specialising in Rural, Residential, and Commercial Property, and Development opportunities. Our experts work in unison to bring you unrivalled solutions, regardless of your property needs.

Contact our experienced team today for a confidential discussion.

youngsRPS Graeme Bruce, MD 07770 542 580 youngsrps.com

Our range of services cover all aspects of the planning process. They are based on our honest and impartial assessment of the planning prospects and delivered by our expert staff. Our in depth understanding of the wider development process enables Wilson Wraight to provide a dedicated lead consultant ensuring that clients receive a professional and cost-effective service.

The service is tailored to unlocking opportunities through the planning system and our experience enables us to cover the strategic promotion of sites. In addition to project management of development and diversification schemes via planning applications or appeals.

The Planning Consultancy team are available to discuss options for farm diversification or to assess the potential for land for residential or employment uses. For further information on this and to discuss any planning related matters, please contact Dan Hewett.

Wilson Wraight

01284 772425

dhewett@wilsonwraight.co.uk

Cherrington Planning are skilled Land Strategy Specialists and qualified Planners with over 30 years of experience in identifying and delivering a diverse range of development potential on rural land across England. Taking a bespoke, conceptual approach placing client needs, community benefit, and environmental enhancement at the heart of our planning strategy. We undertake project management from concept to consent, aiming to generate the highest financial benefit for the landowner. Contact us for a no obligation discussion.

Cherrington Planning

Mark Cherrington 07860 201405

mark@cherringtonplanning.com cherrington-planning.com

Do you know your Class Q from your Class R and your Part 6 1000 sq meter Agricultural Buildings? Are you having problems with planning? Ensure you know and maximise your permitted development rights on your land. We have been very successful in resolving longstanding issues on farms / estates through the use of PD rights Please get in touch with our expert planning team to discuss further – 07961591666.

Roger Parry & Partners LLP 07961 591666 rogerparry.net

CAD Planning is a proactive, pragmatic Planning Consultancy, based in Cornwall and serving the whole of the UK. We work alongside experts in a wide range of development-related subjects on a daily basis providing an up to date understanding of the various factors which influence the objectives and contents of planning applications. Our Planning Consultancy services, including general advice and formal reports, can be tailored to suit your own development or application.

CAD Planning 01872 630040

info@cad-planning.co.uk

Specialist in utility and development related matters throughout the UK. The presence of electricity apparatus near existing residential or potential development site can have massive depreciating effects on the asset value and potential use of the land. We can negotiate and secure significant compensation or have offending apparatus removed, relocated or undergrounded (at the operators expense). Unless dealt with properly, apparatus on your land could mean that you sell at a discount and the buyer claim the compensation. If you are considering entering into a Promotion or Option arrangement, let us help you maximise the return from your asset.

Mark Ferguson Limited 07789 798879 / 0116 218 8137

mf@markfergusonltd.com markfergusonltd.com

Secure your spot in our Tax Advisers & Accounts marketplace in the May 2024 issue of Land & Business Magazine.

The marketplace includes: 50 - 70 words

Contact details

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Please call 020 7324 2754 or email cla.class@redactive.co.uk for more information.

The

consultants and installers of renewable energy systems into country estates. Our independent and awardwinning renewable energy systems use energy from nature to heat your home.

Is it as clear as mud?

Is it murky, muddy, slimy, smelly, choked with algae or weed and a chore to clean out? If you have a pump are you forever cleaning or changing the lter?

ROAD-TRACK REPAIRS

Based in the north east of England, covering the UK.

Ideal for: • Rural property roads • Farmroads • Field access tracks

•Cow tracks • Estate roads • Shoot/woodland tracks

From dealing with washed outroads, installing new roads and deep stabilisation adding cement powder for heavily used roads to a cost-effective surface dressing process

Using specialist equipment to repair and recycle your existing road surface, from a top-applied dressing process with

Before Milling

Mixed cement Finish

For more information, to discuss your requirements, for a free no obligation quote or for a brochure, please contact Richard Willis: Crabtree House, Gilling West Richmond North Yorkshire DL10 5JD

Richard: 01748 517077 | Darren: 07704 779508 | E: info@rtwroadrestoration.co.uk | W: www.rtwroadrestoration.co.uk

ROADWAY

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PEST CONTROL

AGRI PLANT SOLUTIONS LTD

AND COMMERCIAL

DRIVES, YARDS, PATHS AND CAR PARKS CONSTRUCTED AND RECONSTRUCTED FROM ONLY £1.50 PER M2

WWW.AGRIPANTSOLUTIONS.CO.UK

We operate nationally.

equal in

to concrete but at a fraction of the cost. Cement is added to the recycled material a pre-calculated rates and thoroughly incorporated evenly throughout the site. The cement treated material is graded in accordance with drainage requirements and compacted.The site will then by hydrated in order for the cement to do its job. The finish left is a natural stone look. To finish the look why not add a Surface Dressing of your choice this will increase the longevity of the site but also looks fantastic. There is an endless range of chipping types and colours available.

Road reclamation and re-grading from £2.00 per square metre. Cement Stabilised roads and tracks from £15.00 per square metre.

Full site survey, Stabilisation design and indemnity backed. 35 years in the construction industry.

FARM ROADS, ESTATE ROADS, TRACKS, YARDS, HAUL ROADS, WIND FARMS, CAR PARKS, DOMESTIC

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ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION & RESTORATION

CountryView

Plastic unwrapped

Brian Martin exposes the hidden dangers plastics pose to nature

Some of us are old enough to remember going to the grocer’s and buying loose vegetables in paper bags or reusable shopping bags. Cheese was cut to size and put in greaseproof wrap, meat was offered in paper and milk was delivered in glass bottles. Admittedly, there were far fewer people and many more local shops offering local food. Now, centralised distribution has brought a focus on hygiene, and many items have tight packaging to maintain freshness and facilitate longer travel. Yet much of it is unnecessary, with even locally produced items shrink-wrapped. While many plastics have been of huge value to people and still are, others should be phased out urgently to halt the threat to us and nature.

Inland it is estimated that 2.9m small mammals, such as shrews, hedgehogs and voles, die per year in the UK after getting stuck in littered bottles and cans. More recently, microplastics have been discovered almost everywhere, even in drinking water. Indeed, more microplastics are found in soils than in oceans.

Plastic’s toll on wildlife is enormous. Some 8m tonnes enter our oceans annually – equivalent to one dustbin lorry load every minute. Around 1m seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals are killed by ingesting plastics or getting trapped in lost fishing nets each year. This is a particular worry for the UK, with our extensive coastline and high concentration of seabird colonies. Researchers have also recently discovered that gulls visiting from Britain are transporting significant amounts of plastic waste from landfill sites to precious Spanish wetlands.

The UK produces 45,000 tonnes of agricultural plastic waste annually, but less than 30% is recycled, compared with more than 90% in Ireland and 75% in France. Much has been burnt or buried despite this having been illegal since 2006, due to a lack of recycling services in many areas and increasing costs, as well as regulatory loopholes and the Environment Agency’s lack of sufficient monitoring capacity. About 45% is plastic sheeting spread over soil to suppress weeds, increase fertiliser uptake, regulate temperature and humidity and protect crops from bad weather, increasing yields by about one-third. Recycling is expensive due to contamination, which increases the weight by up to 50%. One alternative is biodegradable sheeting, tilled into the soil at the end of the season, but that costs about three times more. That said, many farmers are doing their best by reducing, reusing and recycling, such as in using silage clamps for high volumes of silage production. With the planet using some 12.5m tonnes of plastic products in plant and animal production annually and food packaging a further 37.3m, clearly both producers and consumers must address the challenge.

Agriculture Plastics Environment UK – ape-uk.com

UN Food and Agriculture Organisation – fao.org

Sustainable Soils Alliance – sustainablesoils.org

SHOOT HELP AND ADVICE

PROVIDING A LIFELINE FOR YOUR SHOOT

Whether it’s how to reduce your costs, increase your financial returns, Shoot lettings, employment matters, GL 43 or other Licences, Conservation Schemes or disputes and much more besides

We cover the Country undertaking Shoot related work

01295 277197 | jmosborne.co.uk

BUILDING A BRIGHT FUTURE

We work responsibly in partnership to enhance peoples’ lives and environments.

With partner led teams dedicated to the service of our clients we are an agile, intelligent business built for a new era in the countryside.

Deeply committed to inspiring those we work with to achieve their potential, we are transforming the lived experience of estate ownership.

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