The Forest of Dean District Council is calling for sites to potentially accommodate future housing and employment

The new Local Plan will set out the location of future development for the Forest of Dean District. As part of this process, the Council looks to identify as many sites as possible. This assessment provides an important source of evidence with the aim of gaining a clear understanding of land available. Forest of Dean […]

Posted on February 8th, 2024 by

January 2024 Rural Business Update Evenings

We would be delighted if you could join us at one of our January 2024 Rural Business Update evenings. We will be hosting two informal evenings where we will give a range of short talks that focus on topics we feel are important to both farmers and landowners. These talks will cover updates on grants, […]

Posted on January 3rd, 2024 by

Biodiversity Net Gain – where are we now?

Biodiversity Net Gain is a new concept introduced by the Environment Bill which will require all developers  to deliver a 10% increase in biodiversity in respect of any new development. Our previous blog introduced the concept here. Since our previous blog Natural England has produced The Biodiversity Metric 3.0  to be able to score existing sites […]

Posted on October 18th, 2021 by

Case Study: Tewkesbury

Planning consent for a small bungalow was granted consent in 1962 in the parish of The Leigh, near Tewkesbury. The decision notice had an agricultural occupancy condition attached to it as it was located in Open Countryside. The bungalow was occupied by a retire farmer until he was unable to manage in his own home […]

Posted on November 23rd, 2020 by

Case Study – Dover

A two step planning process was followed to achieve the removal of an agricultural occupancy condition on a house in Dover, Kent where the occupant couldn’t get a mortgage as a result of the planning condition. Ms Elgar had been living in her home for over 10 years and did not comply with the agricultural […]

Posted on November 23rd, 2020 by

Case Study: Warrington

A traditional mixed farm in Cheshire West (Local Planning Authority) was granted planning consent in 1982 to house an agricultural worker on a site in the Green Belt . In addition to the planning condition the council sought a legal agreement (106 agreement) to tie the house to the farm. The house with the agricultural […]

Posted on November 23rd, 2020 by

Uncertain times…but not for farming?

Whilst our future relationship with Europe is uncertain, we are certain that the Basic Farm Payment will be gone in 6 years. To many this is a critical part of their farm income and replacing it will be a challenge. Whilst there will be a new environmental scheme to replace the Basic Payment Scheme, the […]

Posted on July 10th, 2019 by

Planning success for residential development in Cotswold AONB

First impression of development

Director of Carver Knowles, Julie Newton, is delighted to confirm that outline planning consent has been granted by Cotswold District Council for a three dwelling site together with village car park in Ebrington near Chipping Campden. In planning terms this site was outside of the village development boundary and within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding […]

Posted on June 5th, 2019 by

What do I need to do if I am facing Enforcement Action?

Planning enforcement Planning enforcement is a procedure undertaken by Local Authorities where development has occurred without the correct planning permission. Once a notice of planning enforcement is served by the Local Authority the land owner has a limited amount of time to comply. Compliance can involve removing the structure or ceasing a use. Failure to […]

Posted on February 18th, 2019 by

Do I need planning permission for my equine development?

When it comes to horses the question of whether planning consent is required or not can become confusing. Most people are unsure what their permitted development rights are and what they may or may not need planning for. Change of use Horses can be grazed on agricultural land as long as they are not being […]

Posted on January 28th, 2019 by