In most locations, farm diversification is generally an accepted form of development in the countryside, supported by national planning policy.
The planning system recognises that agriculture plays a crucial role in supporting a prosperous rural economy, but it is also acknowledged that this has its challenges. The diversification of uses can not only support the resilience of a farming enterprise but also contribute positively to the rural economy.
The main challenge is often that farming enterprises are in rural locations where development is otherwise severely restricted. The planning system directs most development towards urban areas, particularly those of a reasonable scale. Notwithstanding this, development in rural locations still plays an important role. When formulating a farm diversification proposal, it is important to minimise harm by ensuring any development is of an appropriate scale, re-uses existing buildings where possible and clearly supports the agricultural enterprise, alongside delivering additional planning benefits. Additional planning benefits could be the delivery of biodiversity net gain, supply of clean energy, improvement of local housing options, supporting the local supply chain or even providing local jobs.
There are a wide range of farm diversification schemes that could be achievable, dependent on the site-specific circumstances. Examples could include the conversion of existing buildings to dwellings or commercial lettings, renewable energy generation, changes in the use of land as dog exercise areas or natural burial grounds, well-designed new buildings to accommodate uses appropriate in a rural area or uses supporting tourism such as glamping.
In addition to this, there are currently several useful permitted development rights, which support the re-use of agricultural buildings for a variety of purposes without the need for full planning permission. Providing certain criteria is met, it could be possible to convert modern portal framed buildings to deliver up to five dwellings or re-use them for commercial purposes such as for commercial storage, subject to the submission of a Prior Notification. This is a simplified type of application where the Council are restricted on the matters that can be considered when granting or refusing to grant their Prior Approval. Timescales are also stricter so in the event the Council fail to provide a decision within the prescribed period, the development can proceed.
To summarise, there are restrictions on the scale and type of development that would be supported in rural locations, however, there is a wealth of opportunity for the delivery of farm diversification schemes which support the continuation of an agricultural enterprise.
Our teams work collaboratively to support the delivery of diversification projects and help you to understand from the outset what may be possible on your land. If you would like to explore future possibilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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