Recent Planning Success – Harry Edwards (Gloucester)

One of the aspects of my role is helping to obtain planning permission for rural businesses.  The latest success has been a long process but hugely rewarding.  Back in 2016 I was contacted by a small farming family who only owned 30 acres of land and rented another 250 acres on a range of short-term agreements, the current farming operation was based on 500 ewes lambing in one group.  The farm unit did not have any farmhouse on site and parents lived 5 minutes away.  Their son and partner were living over 30 minutes away and looking to take on the business from parents who were due to retire.

We applied for a temporary agricultural worker dwelling based on the need to be on site.  Running a successful farm business without a farmhouse on site was not possible.  The planned progression of the business over the following three years was to increase sheep numbers to 650 ewes lambing in two groups and the inception of a small scale, field to fork pig rearing enterprise based on 3 sows.

The council appointed their own agricultural expert who was of the view that the farm did not own sufficient land to be sustainable.  The application went to committee who voted unanimously in favour of the application following a very passionate and personal speech from the son.

Fast forward three years and we have recently applied for permission to retain the agricultural dwelling on a permanent basis and therefore were required to provide the last three years accounts and commentary with an updated agricultural justification.  Although not all aspects of our plan had come to fruition as expected it was clear that the intention to grow the business was clear as the business increased rented land by 300%, increased available shed space, increasing KPI’s with both the accounts and forward budget showing sufficient profit and cashflow after investment.

Because the farming business had been able to show a viable business after the last three years of hard work the council passed the application quickly.  The hard work and dedication put in by the family over the last 5 or so years has now paid off and the farm has a farmhouse and a base from which to operate.

A very happy and well-deserved outcome and a really rewarding phone call to have!  For advice on applying for agricultural or rural dwellings, contact Harry at harryedwards@fcgagric.com or your local FCG office.