On Wednesday 8 July 2022, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove announced that a revised National Planning Policy Framework will be published in July. This was a bit of a surprise announcement which generated much discussion within the planning and development sector. His announcement was made in response to...

Bringing you all the latest up to date information, our latest newsletter is now available to view by clicking the link below: https://mailchi.mp/57b37b38f764/pfk-land-agency-summer-newsletter-2022 In this newsletter, you'll find Jo Edwards' outlook on what we can expect in the coming months, why there is no time to waste when it comes to new ...

 England is now in the second year of the phasing out of the current Basic Payments Scheme (BPS) and the transition to the new Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, these new schemes are based on the principal of 'public money for public goods', paying farmers and landowners public money for carrying out farming and land management acti...

With spring now well underway bringing with it the welcome feelings of a new season of fresh growth and longer days, from a Land Agent's perspective it's usually a barometer of where things are within the agricultural sector.Despite the very real concerns associated with rising fertilizer, energy, fuel and feed costs, demand for land remains high a...

As a response to current cash flow issues, DEFRA has announced today (Friday, 6th May) that it is now using its freedom out the CAP to make a first half payment of this year's Basic Payment in England in July to those who have made eligible applications by 16th May. The balance of the payment will then be paid from December in the usual paymen...

At the end of March 2022, all of the Local Planning Authorities in Cumbria received 'Nutrient Neutrality Notifications' from Natural England in relation to rivers and waterbodies in the catchments of Protected Habitat Sites. Natural England have issued this advice where Habitats Sites are in an unfavourable conservation status and additional nutrie...

Over the last month there have been many announcements from the Government about future schemes and opportunities available to farmers.The most recent announcement gave more detail on the Animal Health and Welfare Review under which pig, sheep and cattle farmers will be able to apply for a grant for an annual vet visit to help to look at the follow...

 The long awaited details of the Lump Sum Exit Scheme (the "retirement scheme") have been announced by the Government. If you have given up land since 2020, or are contemplating giving up then this is something which should be considered.The headline details are:The payment will be calculated from a reference period of 2019 to 2021, and the av...

PFK have been helping farmers, landowners, developers, rural businesses and individuals in all aspects of rural development for over 145 years. Our planning services encompass new residential development and agricultural workers dwellings, agricultural buildings and permitted development rights, local and agricultural occupancy conditions, lawful d...

There has been plenty written recently about planning for the future given the changes which are pending in the agricultural industry, but one type of planning which seems to be in short supply is the planning on how to pass on your farm to the next generation. In a recent survey carried out by NFU Mutual, it found that 52% of farmers surveyed did ...

Whilst it is no doubt nice to be able to look back on what, for many, has been a successful year in the farming calendar, with all commodity prices showing significant gains on recent years, as everyone in agriculture is aware, this shouldn't mask the changes that we all face in terms of the pending start to the reduction in the payments received u...

 DEFRA have launched the Farming Investment Fund. The Fund is made up of 2 strands – The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund and The Farming Transformation Fund. The grant is aimed at providing farmers, growers, and foresters with support to invest in the things which will improve productivity and help improve animal health and welfare and r...

Optimising use of organic manure not only benefits soil structure and health, but can also save a small fortune in artificial fertilizer costs. With nitrogen prices spiralling ever upwards at present and reaching heights which make you wince, now is the time to look to ensure you are making optimal use of the organic manure which you produce on you...

As we all know, things in farming are changing. BPS is reducing, starting with this year's payment. If you have had an HLS / ELS agreement, then these have either come to an end, or will do within the next couple of years. The Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot has been launched this year, with different elements being rolled out over the next cou...

As the nights draw in, and autumn is heading our way fast, you don't immediately think of selling property, but if this is something you are thinking about, then now is the time to start planning. The rural property market is very buoyant at present, with demand being shown from a multitude of different property buyers, so if you are thinking about...