[Simon O]

Hi there this seems to be the way to introduce yourself here. We have been looking at this website for a couple of years since starting to search for somewhere outside Glasgow, somewhere with a smaller house and a bigger garden, and a bit of land to maybe get some birds or animals. Yesterday we viewed and bought in one day (assuming contract goes thru ok) a place in North Lanarkshire which seems like everything we have been looking for. So I thought we had better register.
We have been allotmenting for 20+ years and gardening is a big part of our lives. We have no animals at all since our dog died 2 weeks ago, so she never got to see the new place.
We have a lot of plans but will need to take it slow and steady.
A quick question to anybody who knows the answer. Our new place is a 'registered agricultural holding' with a 'farm code': what are the implications of this, the rights/responsibilties it carries, etc., or where can I find this out? Yes I know we should have known this before committing ourselves... ..a quick internet search - all that was possible in the brief time we had to decide whether or not to buy - did not reveal much useful info.
Looking forward to chatting with everybody about things.

[garden cottage]

as long as its used for some kind of agricultural activity re livestock arable also includes some forestry, only problem will come if any sheds, yard, or field are not used for this then you may be required to apply for change of use thro planning.

[JulieS]

Hello and welcome 

[Wizard]

Hello Simon I don't tell em nothing let them find out Use the farm as a farm but if you use one of the sheds to make Windsor Chairs as a hobby don't tell them Let them find out .DO NOT Let the shed to me say because that is asking for bother and will definitely need a change of use order and Oh dear Restrictions restrictions restrictions and then they can find another

[Hilarysmum]

Hi , welcome and congratulations.  Looking forward to hearing what you do with your sheds and land.   

[Daisys Mum]

Hi and welcome from the Scottish borders (east side). SEERAD website may help you but I just found it confusing. Good luck in whatever you decide to do with your land and sheds, chickens are a necessity IMHO.

[Simon O]

Hi there guys who have replied already - thanks for your replies so far and good to meet you. This site is so good for getting feedback. Yes chickens are a definite. Getting keys on 21/4 but still have to get a lick of paint on old place and get it on the market. Shame I have got to go and work now till tomorrow morning  but I'm going to check in tomorrow. Cheers. :)Simon

[little blue]

hello and welcome

[Rosemary]

Hi and welcome. Your holding number will be registered with the Government and will "allow" you to claim grants, keep livestock (subjct to further registration) and fill in various paperwork. If you are going to keep livestock - pigs, sheep, cattle - you need to register with Animal Health who will give you a herd, flock, herd numebr as appropriate.

Good luck!

[CameronS]

Welcome from fife 

[HappyHippy]

Hello and welcome from me in South Lanarkshire 
As Rosemary said your 'farm code' is also known as your CPH number and basically means you don't have to go through the process of registering with SEERAD.
Look forward to hearing more from you as you make plans.
Karen

[Simon O]

Thanks for all your replies - I checked out SEERAD and realised I had been there before and that it was confusing and that was why I did not really understand it. I am guessing that if you claim grants you have to provide information about what you are doing and i realise that as Wizard says this might not always be a good idea. I wasn't sure if the fact that you had a number meant that you had to provide some sort of annual return of your activities. You have all given me some helpful info - at any rate it looks like we don't need to do anything immediately. We are going to settle in before getting any livestock, observe what comes up in the garden and make plans.  There is a little work to do on the house. Might get chickens first, maybe some weaner pigs next year. I would like to get cats as we are told there are a lot of mice around and they drink the 2-stroke; and I think Cheryl wants to gets a dog or dogs again soon though she says she doesn't. Becky our daughter does not want me to get cats as she does not like them; except bald ones. Karen you seem to be the nearest neighbour I know about so far; I know Rosemary and Dan are moving away to the coast soon or ?have moved already.
Cheers, Simon.

[doganjo]

North Lanarkshire isn't that far from Clackmannanshire - me and Sandy are here.  Let us know if there's anything we can help with.

[Simon O]

Thanks! - I looked at the dogs on your website - nice!

[doganjo]

Merci, Monsieur, vous etes tres complimentaire