Buying agricultural land

[anniedoherty]

Does anyone have experience of buying agricultural land? I was thinking of approaching the landowner to see if he would be willing to sell me some land which is at the bottom of my orchard but I haven't a clue about this sort of thing. Do you need to apply for planning permission for a change of use if you intend to graze horses on land which was previously used for growing crops? Also, where do I look to find out current land prices in my area so that I can get a rough idea of how much I should be paying per acre?

 

[sikaran]

Just a wild guess but your local NFU office might be able to help you. Guaranteed to be more help than DEFRA! I didn't have to apply for planning permission, but they should be able to advise you.

 

[anniedoherty]

Thank you. I have both horses insured with NFU and they seem really nice in my local branch to I will ring them on Monday and see if they can help or, at least point me in the right direction.

 

[pottamus]

It is very much a case of how much are you prepared to pay...land of use can go for anything from 2000 to 6000k an acre! But you will need planning permission as a change of use is required for 'leisure' horses unfortunately.

 

[anniedoherty]

Yes, I thought that planning would be involved somehow - they usually are. The farmer might not be prepared to sell the land but I thought it wouldn't do any harm to ask once I've got a ballpark figure for how much it's worth.

 

[not_with_it]

If the land has an argricultural tie then you will need to apply for change of use which isnt easy.

 

[anniedoherty]

I am sorry but I don't know what that means. Can you explain? Most of the land around our cottage is used for arable farming with a very few cows and sheep. Several people in the village have got horses but we are about half a mile from the edge of the village and surrounded by crops for miles in all directions.

 

[Breezesbenefactor]

Firstly go & ask him secondly yes but they're so strapped for time planning couldn't care less

 

[anniedoherty]

I think that planning here are overworked too but they are still very keen to interfere. Having said that, they have just passed my plans for a big extension to the cottage so they can't be all bad!

 

[zizz]

You can get round change of use by having four sheep per horse grazing with your animals as the land is then still agricul;tural. This is what our local planning officer advised saiod it was cheaper than applying for change of use!

Only probs is four sheep eat as much as one horse so you need twice the amount of land!

 

[not_with_it]

If land has an agricultural tie it means that you have to have animals such as sheep or cows grazing on that land and not just horses.
It isnt easy to get the use changed.

 

[anniedoherty]

Only just seen your replies nat1003 and Zizz. Thanks! Looks like I might need to invest in some tiny sheep with small appetites if and when the time comes then.