Development prospects
Whatever you might think of immigration it is clear that housing demand is growing and this part of East Anglia feels the pressure more than most. Edge Analytics produced a report in May 2015 that suggested Essex needs to build 190,000 new houses between 2012 and 2037. These figures, together with other evidence, are being processed by the various District Councils for incorporation into the emerging Local Plans. Many local authorities are rushing to get an adopted Local Plan in place following the Government’s announcement in October 2015 that ‘if councils fail to produce and bring into...
Read MoreBrexit impacts on farming
Well, we have only gone and done it! Whilst the polls were always close ‘those in the know’ were sure that the bookies had it right and we were going to stay in the EU. Wrong again, and now we have a mad scrabbling for position which just delays the difficult decisions a little further. Agriculture was the biggest recipient of EU funds and has the most to lose in a tussle with the NHS. The CLA and NFU have produced papers outlining priorities for a UK Agricultural Policy (UKAP). The core point is that agriculture has to remain a profitable business if the countryside is to retain its...
Read MoreThe Perfect Storm
This time last year we entered the spring with a level of positive optimism, crops looked well, fertiliser was cheaper than last year, grain prices where strong and potential output looked good. This gave us confidence to provide the crop with a robust disease control strategy. Once all the major decisions had been made, in terms of level of expenditure, the markets started to collapse. This slide continued as a result of the strong pound, high global production and falling demand. The only light at the end to the tunnel was that most growers had taken advantage of the higher prices at...
Read MoreSimplified planning regulations for alternative uses of Farm Buildings
The Government have given clear signals that they want to help rural businesses to diversify to stimulate the local economy. Current conversion rights The Government have recognised that a major hindrance to re-use of agricultural buildings is the planning system. The easiest way to get conversion work going is through broadening ‘permitted development’. The first stage of this process was completed with the adoption of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2013 on the 30th May 2013. This allowed extensions to existing dwellings and...
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