Agricultural Diversification & Planning - A Practical Guide to the Key Issues

Introduction

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (December 2023) 69% of farm businesses in England had some diversified activity in 2022/23.

Diversification accounts for more than one quarter of Farm Business Income (‘FBI’) for 36% of farms.

As a result, diversification projects are a significant component of planning applications particularly as most will require some form of interaction with the Local Planning Authority, whether this is through the prior notification process or a full planning submission.

This new virtual classroom seminar is suitable for those seeking to gain an understanding and insight into the planning process and requirements associated with a variety of farm diversification projects.

The session will first examine permitted development rights (‘PDRs’) and diversification before considering agricultural diversification projects under a full planning application requirement.

In examining these most typical forms of diversification projects particular attention will be paid to the type and detail of information which is required and can be requested by the LPA.

In order to understand the level of information that should be prepared before submission and that which may be requested by the LPA following submission, real world examples of diversification projects will be shared with you.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive course will cover the following:

• The scope and operation of permitted development rights in England, including the relatively new Class Q requirements (agricultural buildings to residential use); Class R (agricultural conversion to commercial use); the 60 day rule for temporary camping (pop-up camping); and vending machines and farm shops
• The prior notification process and criteria against which LPAs examine PDR projects
• Deemed consent - what it is, how it works and how to protect clients from enforcement against activity under deemed consent
• Diversification projects where full planning permission will be required including where proposals fall outside PDRs, for example shepherd’s huts and other types of visitor/holiday accommodation; solar farms; shops and restaurants; fisheries and leisure facilities and commercial equestrian uses

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.