The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Buildings & planning => Topic started by: Teresawebb1 on January 07, 2019, 09:37:30 pm
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Hello everyone and happy new year ????
Can I ask if in theory could a smallholding be used for a garden nursery rather than for livestock. Obviously I realise that if would depend on the area etc but is there a definitive use for a smallholding or are you reasonably free to use it as you wish if you own the land
TIA
Teresa
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Hello! Personally I would say yes. To be a livestock keeper you need the relevant cph numbers etc. Also, if you are claiming any subsidies you might have to tell them if you aren't keeping sock (for which you claim for). I suppose it all boils down to the perennial question of "what is a smallholder/smallholding"
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Hi Teresa,
I would say you can do what you like with it.
So long as you are not claiming subsidies for grazing etc, however they are pretty sharp with the satellite imaging so you would not get away with that for long anyway.
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If you are raising plants to sell on to garden centres or whatever. However if you are doing retail direct from the plot (i.e opening to the public) then you may have to consider the planning as some of the plot/ buildings may need to be retail. Also if you make changs to the plot (hardstanding/ greenhouses) etc
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There isn't a definitive term or description for Smallholding - but Smallholding Scotland is trying to put it on a similar level to crofting - https://smallholding.scot/ Hopefully, smallholders will eventually have the same legal status as crofters
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I was speaking with the local planning department this morning (Calderdale) about something similar. My question was about changing from grazing to crops.
The answer was, you need planning permission for a change of use, but it's pretty much a formality and wasn't expensive.