Good afternoon all Accidental Smallholders,
Allow me to introduce my family and I:
I returned to the rolling hills of the High Peak of Derbyshire 4 years ago after a 20 year tour of the world exploring many creative industries, photojournalism and working with many wonderful commercial agencies and well known brands; my wife spent much of her time in the UK, after leaving her native Spain working in the teaching profession and now spends much of her time running the PGCE Primary course as a Professor at University of Manchester.
With the change of step two small children can bring with them, for the past 5 years we have been looking for a change of work life ourselves.
My previous career had me spending many days, if not weeks away from home and running a studio practice as well, left me missing out on many of the formative events of our two children in their early years. I have missed a lot, and after living back amongst the hills and valleys of rural Derbyshire, on the threshold of the Peak District; we wish to expand from our current back garden unit to a property with land and out buildings.
The issue of finding such a place is very much brought about by the demand outweighing the supply. The region we are looking at covers the High Peak, northern edges of the Derbyshire Dales and NW reaches of the Peak District.
The property should offer 3 - 4 dbl beds and be complete with outbuildings - although they do not have to be too over developed as I am more than capable of creating usable and workable space for our future enterprise and plans.
We are not in a position to buy currently so long term rental property is our only option for the time being, however we cannot rule out the opportunity to buy in the next 5 - 6 years.
We have been excellent traceable tenants for 10 years and are therefore available to move within a calendar month.
We are looking into establishing a smallholding, self sufficient business practice, growing fruit trees, vegetable and some small livestock [not ruminants]; production of food and by-products will be the intention of the enterprise, as well as links with R&D, horticulture science and biodiversity / pollination and entomology; as well as running landscape photography courses to supplement the smallholding farm.
My intention is to also run a regularly populated journal site to promote the county and regional national park, it's biodiversity and how I aim to encourage expansion of our unique corner of the county.
3 - 6 acres preferable, but less or more would be considered if viable and affordable.
If anyone knows who best to ask, present our plans to or just signpost the best people to speak to about out current plight, I would be eternally grateful. I have presented our situation to the Borough and County Councils, to no avail. I have contacted the local agri and rural specialist estate agents (such as Bagshaws et al), alas without success. I found that county owned small tenancy farms (less than 30 acres) were all sold off a while ago and Derbyshire CC is now kicking itself as the results of last years referendum now means demand may increase further. I spoke to a client last week (Carter Jonas) they are equally aware of the demand, having successfully let only 9 Farms in 2016/17 tax year (nationally), it puts great pressure on counties to embrace this issue. Until they do, what can a chap do?
Many thanks in advance.
Kind regards,
Ian
Topic: A RETURN TO PASTURES GREENER (Read 1504 times)
