4 replies to this topic

[surreydodger]

Since around the middle of last year, I have been working with several clients to put together and present their planning applications for their agricultural needs. I now feel I should say about this as I would like to avert any possible conflict between work that I carry out on a professional basis and that which I do here freely.

Any posts that I reply to on the forum will get the same answer as if I was dealing with a paying client. If that sounds a little odd, let me explain. There is enough information on the internet for anyone determined enough to find out about planning laws and regulations. There is also enough information out there to know how to drive a tractor and plough a field. The reality is, knowing how to do something and actually being able to do it are frequently very different.

There are also many people who require face to face help and to have someone carry out the tasks of returning council forms duly filled in, draw up a D&A statement or meet and talk with planners over the issues any such application may raise.

For the record, I only work on agricultural applications specialising on permitted development and do not cover any other aspects of planning law such as commercial, retail, etc. I have had thirty years prior to my involvement with agriculture dealing with planners and property be it purely on a commercial aspect. I do not drive or own a Bentley or Ferrari (and never would ) and I also do not possess any fanciful offices or staff. This means my charges are approx half of what you would expect to pay to a larger consultancy but the information I provide and resources I have are the same. Where I differ from a large consultancy is they will have resource to specialists such as farm business planners, large project specialists and a legal team for use when applications go to appeal. Because I only deal with projects as generally covered by GPDO, there is no need for those extra services and thus the ability to be more affordable.

[admin]

To those members new to the site I would like to endorse SurreyDodger's offering on behalf of Field to Farm. At the time of writing Surrey has approaching 1000 posts on the forum and is one of our resident experts. Anyone not looking to go the 'do it yourself' route should consider this service.

[Flower]

Since around the middle of last year, I have been working with several clients to put together and present their planning applications for their agricultural needs. I now feel I should say about this as I would like to avert any possible conflict between work that I carry out on a professional basis and that which I do here freely.

Any posts that I reply to on the forum will get the same answer as if I was dealing with a paying client. If that sounds a little odd, let me explain. There is enough information on the internet for anyone determined enough to find out about planning laws and regulations. There is also enough information out there to know how to drive a tractor and plough a field. The reality is, knowing how to do something and actually being able to do it are frequently very different.

There are also many people who require face to face help and to have someone carry out the tasks of returning council forms duly filled in, draw up a D&A statement or meet and talk with planners over the issues any such application may raise.

For the record, I only work on agricultural applications specialising on permitted development and do not cover any other aspects of planning law such as commercial, retail, etc. I have had thirty years prior to my involvement with agriculture dealing with planners and property be it purely on a commercial aspect. I do not drive or own a Bentley or Ferrari (and never would ) and I also do not possess any fanciful offices or staff. This means my charges are approx half of what you would expect to pay to a larger consultancy but the information I provide and resources I have are the same. Where I differ from a large consultancy is they will have resource to specialists such as farm business planners, large project specialists and a legal team for use when applications go to appeal. Because I only deal with projects as generally covered by GPDO, there is no need for those extra services and thus the ability to be more affordable.

Hi I have been trying to contact David Acreman for a quote on assisting/advice with regards to proceeding with the process ie the book, without sucess. I have three seperate paddocks totalling 12.65 acres and wish to have a helping hand/reassurance with the process. Please can you give me some indication of costs involved and if this is something you would be happy to help with.

Regards
Vanessa

[RichardD]

Hi Vanessa

No doubt SD will be contacting you separately on this. For my part, before i could suggest to offer you any assistance I'd need to establish a little more information regarding the parcels of land you own and your aspirations in using it - rather than just refer you to the F2F book [you could say i specialise a little in land use planning law, permitted development and things agricultural from the local authority perspective] so you could end up with SD on the practicalities of all that and i could contribute from my perspective of matters agricultural and PD.

However my contribution would not be through this open forum and I would suggest a joint venture approach with SD - if you'd prefer to only deal with SD then of course i respect that (discuss it with him first?) all I'll say for now is tread carefully...

Richard

[surreydodger]

Hello everybody,

Just to save interested parties the time and effort, I do not carry out advisory work in connection with equine projects. I have had to turn down several enquiries of late pertaining to equine applications and if anyone knows of someone who specialises in this field, I would be happy to refer.