The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: brambledout on September 10, 2013, 06:44:01 pm

Title: 4 acres or so available to start a smallholding
Post by: brambledout on September 10, 2013, 06:44:01 pm
I’m wondering whether any potential smallholders might be interested in a small (4 acre) parcel of land which has been neglected for some time.
To be clear, this isn’t a purely commercial proposition – the fields and orchard have belonged to my family for a long time and were once productive – and I’m not looking for rental payments (apart from a tiny sum to make a legal contract work) for an initial period.  It is possible to put a caravan there for accommodation, although there's no electricity or mains water supply.
A willingness to care for 3-8 rare-breed pigs essential, while they clear the orchard of brambles, and any practical knowledge of fencing, coppicing, orchard care, composting WCs, etc very helpful.
The land is on the Warwickshire/West Midlands border, and may be a useful starting point for someone keen to 'try the life' before committing to a purchase elsewhere (or running screaming from the reality!).
Questions welcome!

Title: Re: 4 acres or so available to start a smallholding
Post by: john and helen on September 10, 2013, 07:33:13 pm
what a great offer, nice one  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 4 acres or so available to start a smallholding
Post by: WannaBeFarmerJoe on September 12, 2013, 01:50:00 pm
sounds really interesting, where about on the Warwickshire/West Midlands border are you?
Title: Re: 4 acres or so available to start a smallholding
Post by: MelRice on September 12, 2013, 02:18:17 pm
Ive heard there is a tenancy coming up soon in Barnsley....We used to keep our horse there before we cam to Germany.....I thought about it last time it was up but the hose was in real need of renovation then. (Its been done now to very good speck or so Im told)
Title: Re: 4 acres or so available to start a smallholding
Post by: autoidea on March 20, 2014, 05:52:58 pm
Hi, I am very interested in a new type of smallholding which relies on renewable energy to supplement the income and to provide an educational example to others.
I can show the entire "circle of life" there, from crops to waste to energy to crops again.
Do you think yours would be a good place for that ?
Title: Re: 4 acres or so available to start a smallholding
Post by: MikeM on March 20, 2014, 06:33:39 pm
this is a fantastic offer, someone is going to get very lucky. If only you could move the land a bit closer to NW Devon.
Title: Re: 4 acres or so available to start a smallholding
Post by: brambledout on March 25, 2014, 01:02:35 pm
I wish it was closer to NW Devon too Mike!!
No one seems to be seriously interested, so I'm now going to advertise it locally for grazing. 
Title: Re: 4 acres or so available to start a smallholding
Post by: brambledout on March 25, 2014, 01:04:25 pm
autoidea - nice concept but this land isn't suitable for that as the access track is not suitable for school minibuses, etc.
Title: Re: 4 acres or so available to start a smallholding
Post by: Hevxxx99 on March 25, 2014, 06:52:33 pm
What period of time are you talking about as the "initial period" and what will happen after that? Will you take it back, or continue to rent it at a higher price or what?  Just wondering as I have a friend who may be interested, but she has already had her fingers burnt once when taking on a smallholding on a repairing tenancy which then had the rent increased to a point where she had to leave ad it broke her heart.
Title: Re: 4 acres or so available to start a smallholding
Post by: tattycat on May 20, 2014, 08:52:39 pm
Wow. What a fantastic offer, however whoever took it on would have to have some guarantee that all the work doing the restoration would then not be turfed off. Maybe do a guaranteed long term rent. Hope you find someone soon. Have a look on River Cottage 'landshare' site.....