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Agricultural land - what can you do with it?
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I'm interested in buying a house that has a paddock included in the price. I presume (but can't check til Tues) that this would be classed as agricultural land. Obviously we wouldn't be able to build on it, but what could we do? Lay turf for a lawn? Grow veg? Plant trees? Lay gravel or tarmac paths? Put up a garden shed? (I suppose a swimming pool is out of the question?!)
Does anyone know what sort of restrictions apply to use of this kind of land? I've had a quick google but if anyone can point me to a useful website i'd be v grateful
Does anyone know what sort of restrictions apply to use of this kind of land? I've had a quick google but if anyone can point me to a useful website i'd be v grateful
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The local council's website might have some information.
But seriously you could leave it as it is and let it grow wild, apply for a nature reserve licence, Throw in a couple of rare species of animal and plant (though you can start off with decoys and colourful imitations), and then charge muchos wonga for twitchers and eco-preservationists to spend time on it - but get shot of the decoys beforehand.
How much land is in the paddock ?
You'd do well as Sir Alans apprentice
Just go onto your councils own website. They have loads of information and helpful tel nos.
I can't give you the answers but your council can.
I'd consider employing him, if he smartens up a bit.
With an agreement with a local farmer he keeps several sheep in the field. It ensures that the field is continuously used, and keeps the grass nice and short, too! The farmer also cuts the very large hedge using his tractor.
My friend doesn't have any other use for the field, apart from keeping it under his ownership to ensure nothing can ever be built on it.
There are grants available for varous kinds of 'Environmental Stewardship' etc, which encourage such things as replanting hedgerows, maintaining stone walls, creation of meadows, maintaining a suitable environment for wildlfe etc. It will depend partly on how much land your paddock comprises - I think payments are made per hectare. DEFRA will be able to advise you on all aspects of agricultural use as well as change of use planning permission.
DEFRA Environmental Stewardship Scheme
It's about an acre, i think. Thanks for the replies everyone
You (your solicitor) need to check the title for restrictive covenants relating to use that have been put on by the previous or past owners. If there are any you would have to obtain a deed of release as well as sorting out the planning stuff. Sometimes this can be expensive but if you can't agree then it could be a Lands Tribunal. Your solicitor should explain this all to you.
Why do you have to have a paddock. Why not just a house with a very large plot of land. Then you can do as you wish with it, garden wise, without having to get planning permission.
We will try and get planning permission although very very unlikely but worth a shot.
People often do this - assume any rules or laws don't apply to them. If it's agricultural land then it's not an extension of their garden.
That sounds pretty good for you then - their expense, and if they win you can get benefit!
well yes i suppose so but we are only using ours as an allotment and if we want a greenhouse we will build it on our existing garden and not the plot, sorry but sometimes my neighbours annoy me, they read and agreed on the conditions before buying so i dont know why they are kicking up about it now?
Now that's an excellant idea, you could have your own manageable sized bit, and rent out the rest...maybe in strips in a feudal system.