So here is the diary I never dreamed I would be writing.
It is very early days, in fact, the land isn't even mine yet! But I do have it on a rent to buy agreement, without which this never would have been possible.
It is however only two acres! But at least it has four stables :-) And I have up to 26 acres next door that I can and do rent some of for grazing as I wish and can buy some of at a later date at a pre agreed price :-) Unfortunately five hactares will probably be a little more than I can hope for though. Mind you two acres felt impossible a year ago.
As it is, I am not buying it with the intention of moving on, yet. It is to be primarily used for the housing, grazing, training and excersise of agricutural horses and ponies but obviously will have other agricultural practices going on also. After all it would be foolish to not. Chickens for example compliment equines well, keeping worm/egg numbers down and fertilising the pasture and horses eat more than just grass so when I have enough land I have a vast choice of crops to grow with a ready made custom base :-). My immediate interest in planning matters are simply for the matters outlined below.
I need:
1) a large shed or temperary structure for the storage of feed and tools. Possibly for the storage of equipment used in the training and excersise of the agricultural horses and ponies.
2) A caravan for somewhere to get out of the rain, cook meals, clean and possibly stay when required for animal care. And 'company creche' for when the kids are with us at unsociable hours lol.
3) A 'sick' paddock. Our native ponies are prone to laminitis, a horrific condition that can result in the animal needing to be put down. In order to prevent and/or treat this condition the animals diet need to be completely controlled and at times must be kept completely off grass, so the sick paddock must have a different surface such as wood chip that wont be eaten, so the animal can graze only on very low sugar forage supplied by man but without being restricted to a stable.
4) Horsebox on site.
5) Field shelter for housing of foals, new youngstock and or logging horse
6) Lunging ring/school. Whilst usually seen as being equestrian it applys equally for agricultural equines and is especially relevent with our native breeds. Excess weight makes the aforementioned laminitus significantly more probable. Excersise is the only was to prevent this excess weight in most native breeds that evolved without access to the best grazing so they 'make the most out of their food', often gaining weight when fed a safe minimum. And you can't simply starve the weight off them. If they do not eat enough fibreous matter throughout the day they will suffer the equine equivilent of indegestion, colic, another potentially fatal problem. In addition if an equine is required to get more than 40% of its calories from its fat stores it is likely to suffer a heart attack as the organ struggles to pump the fat thickened blood.
When the time comes to move on I would hopefully have purchased the aforementioned ajoining parcel of land and have the L.P.A.'s approval. If done right I hope to give them no choice!
However, I see the likelyhood of this as being close to zero. The person that has the 26 acres has received nothing but problems, including finishing a barn that has permitted development but wasn't built when purchased, fencing, refusing stables and even his caravan that is there for when he is working on the barn. He doesn't even live there, nor do they accuse him of doing so! His crime? Spending money I can only dream of fighting to save one of the most critically endangered breeds of native ponies! I hope to help him also.
I honestly believe that my plans are not only lawful but legal too. I am happy to show them this, after all if the government did its job correctly they would be a valuable asset. I do not however believe that L.P.A.'s apply the statutes correctly and should they wish to fight me from an unjust position I will relish the fight. But not their way. I will be removing their authority over me and my land. MY LAND will not be registered with them giving them authority, I will however happily record its puchase showing me as the lawful owner.
However I have never been comfortable with authorities and have always been as 'free as a fox' to the point it has prevented me doing things I wish because I will not bow to the whims of our alleged masters. This lead me upon the freeman of the land concept, something that always came across as a philosophy more than a reality to me. Alas, along came lumpnuggin to change that an remove all the freeman distractions and pin down all the required laws. I now have a greater understanding and would be confident of setting off in this direction as soon as the land is purchased with lumpnuggins P.D.F. in hand.
There is another facet to this story, but for now I don't wish to go public with it as it could embarise the head of my L.P.A. and should they not fight dirty nor will I, but if they take their gloves off, I will slip iron gloves on and do my best to destroy anyone or any organsisation that sets out to harm me.
I happily invite any and all opinions, comments and ideas on my plans in the appropriate areas of the forum.