Rural

Farm Diversification

The exit from the EU and emergence of ELMS means many farmers and landowners are looking at new ways to increase profitability. For some farmers with access to good infrastructure this may simply mean growing crops or producing livestock where yields can be achieved, or regenerative agriculture can help the bottom line with fewer inputs. For others diversification can be an essential part of a holding’s financial survival.

Diversification can take many forms including use of areas for Biodiversity Net Gain, species relocation, renewable energy, tourism, wedding venues, business units, storage, retail or equestrian use to name but a few.

The decision to diversify clearly needs a sound business case as well as an appetite for the type of enterprise that is being considered.

Planning is often the next hurdle.

The RPP is used to assessing sites, often in sensitive locations, for clients to help the decision-making process.

Once a decision has been made, we have the specialist knowledge and expertise to design and support planning applications for many types of businesses.

Rural

Agriculture, Forestry and Other Rural Businesses

We have significant experience in supporting a wide range of rural businesses including farms, vineyards, micro-breweries, farriers’ forges, saddle makers and biochar producers.

Rural tourism is thriving, and holiday lets can be a useful income stream for landowners. We have a proven track record in this field ranging from conversions of existing redundant buildings to the stationing of shepherds’ huts as tourist accommodation and other forms of glamping.

Some businesses may require accommodation for a rural worker. Making a case for this requires detailed understanding of the business and the local area.  A compelling case needs to be made that there is a functional need for someone to live on site and that the business is viable. We are well placed to advise having undertaken many such applications.

Crop Field
Rural

Shoots & Game Rearing

Game rearing is classed as non-agriculture in planning terms, the exemptions from planning controls and business rates that agriculture enjoys don’t generally apply to land used principally for shooting.

If you are considering rearing on your land that was once agricultural, you will need to apply for change of use, as well as planning permission for any permanent buildings or structures.

Our team can provide a site assessment of the planning options for game farms, shoot grounds, and drives. We can advise on the different locations on the farm that could have a greater chance of being approved and conservation matters and biodiversity enhancements that will be a necessary consideration with any application.

Rural Planning Experts

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A Recent Rural Project

Case Study

Mar 2019

Planning permission for a permanent rural workers dwelling

Horses Grazing In A Field

We secured planning permission for a permanent rural workers dwelling for a livery yard in Kent. Unusually for a rural workers dwelling, only temporary planning permission was granted for the conversion of a redundant agricultural building into residential use for staff employed by business. In this case, the converted dwelling was well related to the… Read more

Horses Grazing In A Field