[The_Hawthorne_Pack]

Hi everybody.  I have just realised that I can ask on here if anyone knows of parcels of land for sale that we can investigate.  an established smallholding would probably be too expensive for us at the moment, but we are selling stuff (i.e. our 31ft sailing cruiser) to raise money.  we are looking to start small, just a few acres, and would live in a caravan or whatever until we got going or could get planning permission for a small self-build. At the moment we are thinking of North Wales or Anglesey, but information from anywhere would be very gratefully received. Jheri 

[Roxy]

Where I am, its impossible to live in a caravan on the land - the Council just serve a notice to quit.  And even harder to build on the land.  Our stable yard is hidden from the road, but still not allowed to have a caravan - if it were possible I would have done.  There may be a way round it, if you have a lot of land and can prove you can live off that land - and in your area, it may well be different.  Good luck

[SallyintNorth]

Check out Chapter 7 website for general info about living on your land

[devonlady]

I just put a couple of touring caravans on my land and lived there for two years. No-one except my immediate neighbours, one who lives in a yurt, one in a teepee and one in a converted horsebox knew I was there and they weren't telling. It's only when you want such luxuries as mains electricity, water and heating that the authorities get to know.
Rustyme,if he is able will give you more gen.

[Coximus]

Its getting harder - My LA uses aerial photography to catch you out.... They have sent my 3 letters in 2 years with images of a mobile horse field shelter on my land, every time its moved, within a month i get a letter demanding proof its mobile and meets regs............ with attached images.

You would need to look for 12+ acres really to stand even the tiniest chance going forwards into the future, and unless you could make a living on the land, still unlikely.

As for costs, depends where you are - you can get a 60 acre farm for £700k in parts of the dales and pennines (and nice areas too actually!) but pay £15,000 for an acre nearer cities and in popular areas.....
Its much of a muchness!

[paddy1200]

Try reading the book 'From field to farm' Have heard it recommended.

[verdifish]

Its getting harder - My LA uses aerial photography to catch you out.... They have sent my 3 letters in 2 years with images of a mobile horse field shelter on my land, every time its moved, within a month i get a letter demanding proof its mobile and meets regs............ with attached images.

You would need to look for 12+ acres really to stand even the tiniest chance going forwards into the future, and unless you could make a living on the land, still unlikely.

As for costs, depends where you are - you can get a 60 acre farm for £700k in parts of the dales and pennines (and nice areas too actually!) but pay £15,000 for an acre nearer cities and in popular areas.....
Its much of a muchness!

Up here ( aberdenshire) £700k will get you close to 120acres house outbuildings and more Importantly subsidiy !

[Kimbo]

Im in South Lancashire on the edge of the West Pennine Moors and £700k would only get you a small farmhouse ( probably in a dodgy place like on a very busy road or next to a working quarry) with about 5 acres    And agri land is easily £15k an acre, sometimes more.
Helicopter surveillance is used here too. My neighbour cut some trees down in his back garden. No one else could see these trees but the helicopter did and he got a hefty fine ( into the thousands of £s) for breaching Tree Preservation Orders. Before people jump down my throat.....yes, he shouldn't have cut them down. But that's not the point Im making.

[polaris]

As an idea... 700K in Scotland would buy you a small empire..... and the scenery is beautiful to boot with the sea usually close at hand for those interested as you seen to be, with your cruiser.
And as long as you don't annoy your neighbours no one will give two hoots what you're up to....! Our growing season is slightly shorter than down south but we make up for it in slacker regulations (or enforcement of those regulations) and much lower property prices. There are always a couple of crofts available for sale here and there, and they usually come with a house and plenty of land, and sometimes livestock if you're lucky, usually run down but with much of the legal work already done in regards to buildings and fences and sometimes poly tunnels.