[FrankBlack]

Thanks Karen, that's very helpful.  Have people on the forum found this to be the case in practice i.e. any problems with moveable structures in term sof the planners?  How about a caravan or bigger mobile home?  A tent's a moveable structure but someone said that they're frowned upon by planners...

[HappyHippy]

Ooooo planners - they who we love to hate 
In my experience they're mostly ok, (although many of them just LOVE being little hitlers !) but have to abide by 'the rules' - problem is they keep changing the rules and not letting on 
Have a look back through old posts in the coffee lounge section - I'm sure there are a fair few on the subject It seems to vary a bit from one area to another - some are more open to giving a bit of leeway, some not. The only way to know for certain is to go and see them with a view to doing lots of compromising. For example go in saying you want to build a complete ranch style house with full farm yard and associated buildings and let them 'beat you down' to a log cabin and a few animal houses  That way they feel as if they win 

[Fergie]

Thanks for the input on land prices.  £2000 per acre in Scotland for arable land sounds reasonable.  The £4000 per acre - where abouts in the country was that Fergie, for comparison? 

Lanarkshire, Scotland, but close to a town (ie, where much of the land is used for equine leisure activities).

[Malc]

Prices in Scotland drop dramatically once you hit the far north. Have a look at Caithness, Sutherland and Orkney where you can pick up a house with some land relatively cheaply, although you're likely to have to do work on the house. Planners here in Orkney are pretty amenable as long as you play the game and work with them.

[FrankBlack]

Cheers.  How's the weather in Orkney for smallholding Malc?  I noticed that land prices seemed to drop further north.  I don't mind remoteness (much) but remoteness and rotten weather would be a bad combo for me.

[doganjo]

Well you know there are no trees there - does that give you a clue?  or is that Shetland?

[sandy]

Could not live without trees around...I love trees...always have...always will!!

[FrankBlack]

Yep, I'm guessing trees will be an essential part of any setup I have.  Everything I've read so far says that woodland is one of the most valuable resources to have as a smallholder.

[doganjo]

Can I ask why? I've often thought of buying a small wood, but just because I fancy having my own wood to run my dogs through.  I'd love to hear a good reason so I can go ahead and pander to my whim 

[FrankBlack]

I'm sure someone far more qualified than I could give a better answer.  But from what I've read a wood is excellent for renewable fuel, building materials, food [mushrooms, nuts etc], flowers [for your bees].  I've heard woodland described as 'the most efficient way to collect solar power' i.e. in the form of fuel I suppose.  I think if you coppice your trees then you can yield a lot of wood for burning, charcoal, making things etc.  As well as being ecologically very supportive to the air, insects and animals.  And a pleasant environment to be in of course...

[doganjo]

That's good enough for me - but not being physically able to work on trees myself I will need to assess costs of doing that.

[marigold]

The planning laws in Scotland are changing - I believe in 2010. Then what is now zoned as agricultural will be easier to live on. We are living in a static caravan next to a shed. It just so happens that the shed is quite comfy with a woodburner and insulation - so we spend more time in it than in our static.
I know people on the west coast who are creative with interpretation of the rules. One friend is building a 'shed' that can't be seen from the road because there is a high bank inbetween.
I've attached a photo of our 'shed' in case it gives you ideas. I should say we got to this point by chance. We were building a house until the credit crunch cruched our mortgage. But actually we like it.

[FrankBlack]

Thanks Kirsty.  Didn't know that about the laws.  Wonder what's driving it?  Concern for more living space, or some other reason?

Your 'shed' looks bigger than some houses!

[doganjo]

No, the planning laws already changed - see the Planning (Scotland) Act 2006. http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2006/pdf/asp_20060017_en.pdf

They are trying to get more housing built in the countryside but preferably with workplaces attached.  It's to alleviate the strain on the city centres I believe.  There are still very strict criteria which I am presently trying to overcome

[HappyHippy]

Kirsty, your shed looks great 
Hope that woodburner keeps you cosy !
Karen x