[01smartc]

Hi all,

We have just bought 8 acres of land with a few barns and temporary dwelling permission. So we are living in a static and now starting the journey towards getting full planning.

We mainly do horses and buy and sell a few dressage horses but the planners dont seem to keen on that or seem to understand it really.

So we are looking into doing some ‘real’ farming to help the planning along.

Would we be best to concentrate on one type of animal, sheep for example, and do more of them. Or have a few different ones. Sheep, pigs & turkeys for example.

If just one, which one is best for planning?

Any advice or help would be great

We are based Derbyshire if that makes a difference

Thank you

[mart6]

Hi how long temporary permission did you get ? i thought the norm was now  3 years and very rarely extended
To set up a business that will meet the qualifying criteria from scratch in 3 years will be a struggle.
May be a good thing dressage horses to add to income.
But are they insisting on agricutral use ?

[arobwk]

I don't know @01smartc , but your post got me to thinking!

I can imagine that planners could be a bit cautious (even dubious) as regards a horse-sales business, especially if you do not have a stud farm, given the preponderance of folk who fill their fields with horses for what are essentially leisure related purposes! 
If you are not already registered with HMRC as having a horse-sales business, then you should register I would suggest!

As to demonstrating an agricultural use, my head says that one type of animal would better suggest an earnest business endeavor (along-side the horse sales biz) as opposed to a hobby farm activity.

I would also suggest you cross all digits very tightly as regards gaining PP idc for permanent domestic occupation.  That said, I wish you very good luck.




 

[pharnorth]

Suggestbyou first take advice about the conversion of 'redundant' agricultural buildings  into housing. That has been allowed elsewhere especially when the local plan is not deemed sufficient to meet projected housing needs

[landroverroy]

If you have some substantial barns, it might be worth looking at class Q permitted development, and converting one of them to a dwelling, without having to make a living from agriculture.
If you are still planning on converting your temporary permission to permanent, then you need to provide proof that you can make at least the basic minimal wage from your land. And you can't make a living from sheep on 8 acres. You could, however do it with poultry or pigs. Whether you go for one or both is up to you. Either is possible.