Is rural development going to thrive with the new plan?

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

What else could I do with my farm buildings?

We are often asked what else could I do with my farm buildings, particularly in recent weeks when all agricultural sectors seem to be struggling with low prices and high input costs. Alternative income streams can provide a stable income to level out the undulations of farming activity and either give extra cash to invest […]

Posted on July 27th, 2015 by

Agricultural Ties Removal – Continued Success

Farm succession

Carver Knowles success in removing “Agricultural ties” continues. Carver Knowles have successfully removed an Agricultural Occupancy Condition from a Worcestershire farmhouse, even though the property formed part of a working farm and was occupied by the farmer and his wife. The farmhouse formed part of a 160 acre mixed livestock and arable unit and Carver […]

Posted on July 10th, 2015 by

Conversions of agricultural buildings – is the permitted development clearer?

Barn conversion

It has been a year of uncertainty and frustration for farmers, planners and agents alike, as all tried to steer a course through the new Permitted Development Rights legislation that allowed the conversion of qualifying barns into dwellings. Written legislation was very brief and differed from consultation documents, making life difficult for developers and decision […]

Posted on April 21st, 2015 by

Tewkesbury Planning Blueprint

Harbour Wood

Tewkesbury Borough Council unveils its Planning Blueprint for 2011 -2031 Tewkesbury Borough Council has published its draft development plan which sets out where hundreds of homes could be built in the villages surrounding the town. The Tewkesbury Borough Plan puts the meat on the bones of the development blueprint called the Joint Core Strategy which […]

Posted on February 10th, 2015 by

Farm diversification ideas – racehorse training yard

Stables are subject to business rates

Carver Knowles have acted on behalf of a local dairy farmer to seek planning consent for the change of use of some redundant dairy buildings into a modern racing yard, complete with warm up arena and all weather gallops. This diversification project will provide a stable income (if you excuse the pun) and a better […]

Posted on January 15th, 2015 by

Positives and pitfalls of new Permitted Development rules

Malverns Hills and Church

The launch of the new permitted development rules in May 2014 appeared to pave the way for a wealth of conversions of agricultural buildings into dwellings. The scant details in the legislation and the seemingly open approach for new residential properties in the countryside appeared to be a huge positive for the rural landowner. However, […]

Posted on December 22nd, 2014 by

Horses and Planning Permission

horse grazing

It’s the dream of many horse owners – to own their own paddock. But how many realise that planning permission may be needed. You purchase a paddock off a local farmer intending to keep your horse on it, but the field has previously been used for grazing cattle and sheep. If you use the field […]

Posted on December 22nd, 2014 by

An alternative approach to removing an agricultural tie

Gate and Pasture

Carver Knowles has recently removed an agricultural occupancy condition without the need for a marketing exercise. The planning application gave the planning officers the proof they needed to show without doubt that there was no longer a need for an agricultural dwelling on the holding or in the locality and therefore enabled them to remove […]

Posted on December 15th, 2014 by