Carver Knowles News about Farm Business Advice
During the 1980’s and 1990’s there were excellent grants around for converting barns to holiday cottages as a method of farm diversification. Planning laws also encouraged the re-use of barns for tourism enterprises as well so many barns were converted across England. If this was you and you have been managing a single holiday cottage […]
Posted on November 13th, 2015 by Julie Newton
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) are sending out a BPS update leaflet to farmers and agents who submitted a BPS 2015 application. The leaflet sets out what farmers can expect from the RPA in the coming months and confirms the exchange rate for payments. The main focus of the leaflet is on when and how […]
Posted on October 28th, 2015 by Mike Cluley
As Land Agents involved in many farm businesses in the Gloucestershire and Worcestershire area, we are frequently asked about diversification and alternative income opportunities and also the opportunities for renewable technology on farm. The answer is that there are a number of changes afoot in the funding of the renewables industry and options going forward. […]
Posted on October 22nd, 2015 by Mike Cluley
Last month we looked at the time limits for Enforcement Action. This time Julie Branfield looks in more detail at those time limits and specifically how they relate to planning conditions and in particular Agricultural Occupancy Conditions. What we discovered last time was that there are time limits for council taking enforcement action against breaches of […]
Posted on October 21st, 2015 by Julie Newton
This week we hosted a joint seminar with Clarke Willmott Solicitors, Hazelwood’s Accountants and NFU focusing on farm succession at Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park. The night was enjoyed by approximately 70 local farmers and landowners where they had the opportunity to discuss the detail of planning succession with a panel of experts. We heard […]
Posted on October 16th, 2015 by Julie Newton In this blog Andrew Troughton of Carver Knowles, Chartered Surveyors and Land Agents in Worcestershire explains all: Disclaimer 1 – This article is not about Pension Auto Enrollment, but looks at how farmers can use SSAS Pensions (Small Self-Administered pension Schemes) to take control of, and better use their pensions. Disclaimer 2 – We are Land […]
Posted on September 11th, 2015 by Andrew Troughton
One of many promises made by the Conservatives during the run up to the election was to encourage rural development in order to develop the rural economy. Last week George Osbourne and Liz Truss indicated they were delivering their promise in an article in the Telegraph.They have now issued their 10 point plan so Julie Branfield, […]
Posted on August 21st, 2015 by Julie Newton
The New Model Clauses for England come into force on 1st October 2015 which alter the liability for the maintenance, repair, replacement and insurance of fixed equipment between landlord and tenant where tenancies are governed by the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986. The Model Clauses apply to all agricultural tenancies governed by the AHA, save for […]
Posted on August 17th, 2015 by Andrew Troughton
Following on from the launch of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) last month we are now able to see how the application process works in terms of physical paperwork and also get to grips with some of the lesser known compulsory scheme requirements. On the face of it, the Mid-Tier application paperwork is very similar […]
Posted on August 13th, 2015 by Mike Cluley
Andrew Troughton, Director of Carver Knowles considers how the Budget announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 8th July, may affect farmers and landowners. One of the main points revealed in the budget were the changes to Inheritance Tax. The measures announced will introduce an additional nil-rate band when a residence is passed on […]
Posted on July 13th, 2015 by Andrew Troughton