Government proposals making it easier to re-use agricultural buildings could be a significant boost to the rural economy, an expert has predicted.
Steven Baker, real estate partner and planning lawyer at Lodders Solicitors in Stratford-upon-Avon said it should lead to more much-needed jobs in the countryside.
He forecast the changes would be welcomed by both landowners and tenants alike.
And they would be invaluable for farmers who are currently paying the rates on empty buildings which are difficult to let in the current climate.
“This will mean that they are able to change the use and lease them to businesses and so not have to bear the cost of the rates. Otherwise the payment of rates on the empty buildings could be a long term financial burden for farmers.”
His comments follow the launch by the Department for Communities and Local Government of a consultation on the matter.
It would allow change of use of agricultural buildings, without the need as at present to gain planning permission, where they would be utilised for “low impact business use” such as workshops, offices, storage, food processing, cafes and leisure.
Mr Baker warned that currently there could be much bureaucracy, time and cost involved in seeking planning permission in such circumstances.
And often the planners stipulated the buildings had to have some sort of agricultural related connection which could create issues – for example, while cheese-making would most likely qualify there might be more of a question mark over, say, a golf course business.
“I have been involved in just these sort of situations in the past and it can cause problems – so hopefully these changes would help clarify the position.
“Many landowners and farmers have ‘redundant’ buildings which are little used or more or less empty, effectively a wasted resource. Many of course have been transformed into productive enterprises – craft centres and the like. But many others just lie idle – a significant rates burden.
“Farmers and landowners, perhaps put off by the cost and uncertainty of gaining planning permission, have a tendency to let these things drift.
“If these changes come to pass it would introduce much more flexibility into the system and be a significant incentive towards doing something with these buildings. Landowners and farmers potentially stand to gain a useful income while at the same time reducing their rates bill. Tenants have greater certainty that their particular expertise will be embraced.
“And creating new jobs is important. Injecting money into the rural community, as this has the potential to do, would be highly beneficial.”
The consultation runs until September 11. Mr Baker is urging interested parties to make their feelings known.
