Planning changes pave the way for
farm diversification
If you have been considering ways
of reusing existing farm buildings or
diversifying your farming business
now is the time to act.
The improving economic scene and the
changes to national planning policy make
now a very good time to reconsider your
agricultural buildings and ensure that they
are generating the best income for the
business.
Under new planning policy the possible
uses for agricultural buildings range from
cafes to childcare and storage to spas.
If you have one idea or lots of ideas Julie
Branfield has highlighted the key steps and
how Carver Knowles can put your plans
into action:
Step 1 Feasibility Study
It is important to consider your idea(s)
carefully to ensure that the development
can go ahead and will generate sufficient
income based on the likely investment
required. We can assess all aspects of
the diversification idea including estimated
costs and returns, the existing market
place, the suitability of the building for the
proposed development and planning and
other consents that might be required to go
ahead with the project.
Step 2 Business Plan
Once you have decided that your project
is feasible, will make money and fulfils your
aims for the business in the future, it is
time to produce a business plan. This not
only gives the business a clear sense of
direction but the document will be suitable
to support a planning application or to
show a bank manager. We can produce a
business plan that will detail every aspect
of the proposal and demonstrate clear
reasoning behind the chosen project and
financial details.
Step 3 Planning consent
Planning consent will normally be
required for a change of use. The recent
changes to planning policy make it more
straightforward for buildings of less than
500sq m to be converted from agricultural
to any other use (apart from residential).
This means a decision could be known
within 56 working days of submission. The
key details that need to be clarified before
an application is made are the access and
vehicle movements and the flood risk.
Applications for larger buildings will still
need full planning consent but as there is
now a presumption in favour of re-use of
agricultural buildings, this should be more
straightforward.
Step 4 Finance
If finance is required to undertake the
conversion there are a number of options
available to farmers and land owners. For
small developments it may be possible
to fund the development through a new
or existing overdraft, however if you are
looking to borrow more than £25,000,
a longer term secured loan, with regular
repayments, may be more appropriate.
Carver Knowles are agents for the AMC
and can talk through all proposals in
confidence with no obligation.
“With the national policy supporting development and change
of use and the lowest bank lending rates for years now would
be an excellent time to consider creating an alternative
income stream from a redundant building.”