Agricultural Occupancy

[RuthG]

Wasnt sure where to put this, so it ended up here.

Looking at a property that is only 9 miles from Hubby's work. However it is subject to an agricultural occupancy. The condition states:
“The occupation of the dwelling house shall be limited to
persons employed or last employed in agriculture as defined
in section 221 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1962, or in
forestry, and the dependents of such persons.”

Does anyone know what this means in real terms? I mean, we want to be smallholders, would we have to be registered before taking over, or could it wait? Is it possible to get rid of said condition if need be? What would it mean if we wanted to sell off some of the land (it's 40 acres, which is too much!)

There was another issue too, which was Organic Entry Level Stewardship Scheme
"The land is for sale subject to an OELS agreement" but that appears to have expired.

[MKG]

Bit of a minefield, I think. Have a look here ...

http://www.selfsufficientish.com/forum/ ... cy#p207674

and here ...

http://www.selfsufficientish.com/forum/ ... cy#p216432

Mike

[RuthG]

Those links make interesting reading - thanks. I think a call to the relevant council is necessary.

[niknik]

Those links make interesting reading - .

They do, don´t they! I just readthem all, inc the lengthy 8 pages on money saving site.........

and I donrt even live in the UK anymore, so totally irrelevant to me!

[RuthG]

The estate agent said that as the current owners only rent out the land and dont actually farm it, they checked with the council. The council apparently said it didnt matter and the estate agent is waiting for them to put it in writing.

I rang the council myself. That's where things began to come unstuck.

The Council have nothing to do with it. The property is just within the boundary of a national park, so the relevant people to ask are the National Parks Authority.

So I rang the NPA. They told me that it was entirely possible that the people who are living in it at present may not be entitled to be renting it out, but they couldnt possibly police every farm within their jurisdiction. They want me to write to them asking if future smallholding qualifies. I am uncertain about that as I dont want to drop the current owners in the doodoo.

[MKG]

I don't think you need to worry too much about that. You CERTAINLY need the relevant info. from the appropriate authority before making any kind of decision. If that turns out to be that the current occupiers have no rental rights, then you've had a lucky escape. If they haven't done their homework, it's hardly your fault.

Mike