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Hi!!
Firstly awesome book!! is now the bible.
Have a few questions though. I am a little confused as to why some businesses are classed as agricultural or not. For example a petting zoo, would this have to be as well as a main business for example pigs? I would like to concentrate on rare breeds but am confused as to why a petting zoo would be an agricultural business as apposed to a miniature horse stud farm. I would like to concentrate the main business of agriculture and help bump profits by breeding falabellas. I am also confused as to why a touring caravan business counts as agriculture and how you then get planning for toilet blocks etc.
Thanks
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Agricultural Business or not??
Started By
lmarie
, 27 May 2011 20:39
Back to top
#2
Posted 28 May 2011 - 10:19
surreydodger
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- Book Owners
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- 1,208 posts
Agricultural Planning Advisory Service
- LocationWest Sussex
Hi Imarie and welcome to the forum 
I'm not sure what it actually says within the book (our home is upside down at the moment and I've no idea where my copy is hiding) so what little advice I can offer is probably a bit grey.
I belive your core business and principal income should be based on classical agriculture and/or horticulure. Thereafter, any such additional sources of income are peripheral: akin to a petrol station selling sweets at the sales counter.
Following that principle then, things such as an income from camping/caravan pitches would be looked to as providing a minor secondary (but never the less, welcome) income. Or to look at it another way, if you went to planning armed with an application based on income mostly derived from caravan pitches, the planners would consider this a leisure business and not an agriculural one, even if you had Daisy the cow providing a few milk sales to the happy campers.
It would be the same for a petting zoo. In it's own right, it would probably be classed as something like a tourism business.
Anything to do with horses is going to be classed as equine except working horses though that is a minefield requiring information from someone experienced in such matters. That is not to say you can not show a need to live on site in regards to an equine business, it's just that it isn't a concern that well covered in this forum. There are a couple of threads lost in the myriad of forums somewhere here but I have not got a clue where?
I'm not sure what it actually says within the book (our home is upside down at the moment and I've no idea where my copy is hiding) so what little advice I can offer is probably a bit grey.
I belive your core business and principal income should be based on classical agriculture and/or horticulure. Thereafter, any such additional sources of income are peripheral: akin to a petrol station selling sweets at the sales counter.
Following that principle then, things such as an income from camping/caravan pitches would be looked to as providing a minor secondary (but never the less, welcome) income. Or to look at it another way, if you went to planning armed with an application based on income mostly derived from caravan pitches, the planners would consider this a leisure business and not an agriculural one, even if you had Daisy the cow providing a few milk sales to the happy campers.
It would be the same for a petting zoo. In it's own right, it would probably be classed as something like a tourism business.
Anything to do with horses is going to be classed as equine except working horses though that is a minefield requiring information from someone experienced in such matters. That is not to say you can not show a need to live on site in regards to an equine business, it's just that it isn't a concern that well covered in this forum. There are a couple of threads lost in the myriad of forums somewhere here but I have not got a clue where?
#3
Posted 28 May 2011 - 11:12
che
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- Book Owners
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- 1,166 posts
Lord of the Manor
- LocationSHROPSHIRE
PPS7 refers to the groups below.
Agricultural, Forestry and other Occupational Workers
We run a Care Farm on our 9acres and have therefore applied for an OWD the tests are exactly the same. There has to be a need for you to be there 24/7 and you need to meet the viability test in at least one of the three years of your temporary permission and you will have to prove ongoing viability. No mean feat which ever route you take. Factor in 12 mnths hassle from planners and neighbours.
An appeal inspector recently would not consider earnings from camping site for AWD in Staffs. Accross the border in Shropshire permission given to small equine rehab centre with 15 pitch caravan and camping site. In other words there are no hard and fast rules.
If you are still interested go for it. Land is a good investment (no more is being made) the market is good people always need food. Many others here are persuing their dream just dont underestimate the commitment.
Petting farms are now capital intensive if you want to compete with the best. Portable loos and showers can be used should your local LPA give you problems.
Good Luck and Yes it is worth the effort
Agricultural, Forestry and other Occupational Workers
We run a Care Farm on our 9acres and have therefore applied for an OWD the tests are exactly the same. There has to be a need for you to be there 24/7 and you need to meet the viability test in at least one of the three years of your temporary permission and you will have to prove ongoing viability. No mean feat which ever route you take. Factor in 12 mnths hassle from planners and neighbours.
An appeal inspector recently would not consider earnings from camping site for AWD in Staffs. Accross the border in Shropshire permission given to small equine rehab centre with 15 pitch caravan and camping site. In other words there are no hard and fast rules.
If you are still interested go for it. Land is a good investment (no more is being made) the market is good people always need food. Many others here are persuing their dream just dont underestimate the commitment.
Petting farms are now capital intensive if you want to compete with the best. Portable loos and showers can be used should your local LPA give you problems.
Good Luck and Yes it is worth the effort
che
#4
Posted 29 May 2011 - 18:29
lmarie
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- Members
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- 2 posts
Chick
Thanks guys!
I have been re -reading 'the bible' as I think i missed a few importants points.
I am very lucky as already have my own land, 5.2 hectares, direct road access etc. I was looking initially at being able to offer rural accomodation as i have direct access to a bridleway (no footpaths or bridleways over the land though) with the possibility of breeding miniature pigs. But obviously the planning would be a nightmare if not impossible. Therefore I was looking at combining bees, worms, miniature pigs and possible growing lavendar/herbs, with turkeys at christmas and a few chickens for eggs!! lol quite a few I know. I would also like to offer 5 pitches for touring caravans with the possibility of bringing your own horse. I am located next to a fishing lake, perfect for the caravaners!. My question however is whether any of these on their own are good enough as the 'main business'. Unfortunatly I would struggle I think with killing pigs, but would breeding rare breeds and minatures be a suitable main agricultural business??
all ideas greatly received my head is spinning with ideas
I have been re -reading 'the bible' as I think i missed a few importants points.
I am very lucky as already have my own land, 5.2 hectares, direct road access etc. I was looking initially at being able to offer rural accomodation as i have direct access to a bridleway (no footpaths or bridleways over the land though) with the possibility of breeding miniature pigs. But obviously the planning would be a nightmare if not impossible. Therefore I was looking at combining bees, worms, miniature pigs and possible growing lavendar/herbs, with turkeys at christmas and a few chickens for eggs!! lol quite a few I know. I would also like to offer 5 pitches for touring caravans with the possibility of bringing your own horse. I am located next to a fishing lake, perfect for the caravaners!. My question however is whether any of these on their own are good enough as the 'main business'. Unfortunatly I would struggle I think with killing pigs, but would breeding rare breeds and minatures be a suitable main agricultural business??
all ideas greatly received my head is spinning with ideas
#5
Posted 29 May 2011 - 19:50
che
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- Book Owners
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- 1,166 posts
Lord of the Manor
- LocationSHROPSHIRE
Imarie
Caravan site contact Caravan Club - 5 tourers or Caravan and Camping Club - 5 tourers and 10 tent pitches if they approve your site you do not need PP. With riding and fishing it could be popular.
Dont worry about the pigs you drop them at the abbotoir one day and can pick them up butchered the next. Dont forget the same fate awaits your Turkeys but normally you would despatch and pluck and prepare these yourself to get maximum profit.
The herbs etc might be a good bet for functionality if you use polytunnels as they need constant monitoring but may be difficult to retail in quantity. Wholesaling does not pay the big guys are too efficient try veg and a box scheme.
Caravan site contact Caravan Club - 5 tourers or Caravan and Camping Club - 5 tourers and 10 tent pitches if they approve your site you do not need PP. With riding and fishing it could be popular.
Dont worry about the pigs you drop them at the abbotoir one day and can pick them up butchered the next. Dont forget the same fate awaits your Turkeys but normally you would despatch and pluck and prepare these yourself to get maximum profit.
The herbs etc might be a good bet for functionality if you use polytunnels as they need constant monitoring but may be difficult to retail in quantity. Wholesaling does not pay the big guys are too efficient try veg and a box scheme.
che
