The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Buildings & planning => Topic started by: ForagersJen on August 18, 2017, 01:25:13 pm

Title: Permanent Pasture
Post by: ForagersJen on August 18, 2017, 01:25:13 pm

Hi all,
I'm looking at purchasing a few acres of 'permanent pasture' - but I could do with some advice on what this actually means - the council website is not overly helpful - does anyone have any experience putting veg/flower production on permanent pasture - as I'm sure you can change the use?

thanks in advance
ForagersJen

Title: Re: Permanent Pasture
Post by: arobwk on August 21, 2017, 01:02:09 am

No idea what definition of permanent pasture is, but shouldn't be an issue with conversion for horticultural use.  It is not a "change of use" for planning purposes. That said, if land is adjacent your residential property, the planning officer will be wary of anything that seems like an extension to your "garden". 
I bought 3 ha of pasture land ever-since used for grazing/hay (albeit reseeded many many years ago) to convert to horticultural use.  I submitted a "Do I need planning permission" request:  the response said it involved a "change of use" which would, in itself, require approval, but that advice was incorrect and I responded accordingly. (I never received an acknowledgment!).  When it came to the actual planning application for support facilities there was not the slightest reference to a "change of use" by the Planning Officer, which is as I expected.