OT Renting rough farm land - advice please

[Dangle_kt]

Hi Guys,

I am after renting a few acres of rough/scrub land within about 30 miles of my house (north west)
I want a bit of space for me and my lad (nearly 3) to do all the dad stuff, learn to pitch a tent, fly a remote control plane, learn to ride a quad etc. etc. etc. basically a father and son space that I wish I'd had when I was a lad.

I dont want good arable land, just something that is tough to farm, so maybe partly wooded or rocky outcrops or an awkward shape, river/pond etc.

How would I go about this? I was thinking of just calling in at a load of local farms and farm shops and asking round. Any better ideas?

I know how much sheep generate per acre (less than £500 per year per acre for rough land I am led to beleive from my reading), and I'm happy to match that - so with no labour time/costs etc it would be a nice little earner for a couple of acres cash in hand.

Thing is I want it to be my space, that I can have for years - out of the way so there are no complaints about noise if my lad is learning to ride a little motorbike or soemthing.

it woulnt be used lots, so is a bit of a luxury really - but ive got my heart set on it.

so you farmer types that come on here - what are your thoughts and suggestions?

 

[Matt the sign]

Have you thought about buying some woodland, perhaps get together a small group of you .... www.woodlands.co.uk

 

[Justme]

Sorry but what you want is going to be a change of use (from Agri to Pleasure).

So you would need planning permission.

You might get away with it if you bought it & you had no "issues" with neighbours but for a farmer with cross compliance regulations & checks I doubt they would go for it.

Oh & that wood land link wont help cos they have extra covenants that restrict you from doing stuff like quading. You would need to buy direct with no extra add on covenants.

 

[snowcat]

Most of my life my father has received letters very similar to yours requesting either sale or rent..

The truth is most farms will and would have a real reluctance to such a scheme, without the planing and DEFRA and the EA considerations it is against most farms will to take land from production in such away....

the amount in capital is unlikely to excite many farms, £500 wouldn't even cover a days fuel in the summertime.

You may be better off either joining or setting up a local club, and providing one of the activity's rather than all, as a club you will appear far more credible when trying to rent something, things like public liability insurance a proper description of intended use any planing etc will all have to be considered, your also have far more capital to pay a realistic fee (otherwise it will not be worthwhile), a landowner will also want a proper agreement normally via a land agent and expect you to lump the fees....



there are local groups that already provide a whole host of father and son activities, and are supported by the farming community the scouts, local wildlife trusts and many more......

 

[scarecrow]

what snowcat said but if you're still interested the best way to find some land to rent would be a wanted add in a local paper
or some of the farming papers you could also try farming forms
but you would probably stand a better chance of renting a small cottage type plot not sure if they are as popular in England as they used to be in Ireland
you could also try local auctioneers

 

[Dangle_kt]

Thanks for the info. Have no prblem signing lease agreements etc. But I am specifically trying to find some land that isn't used for production at the mo. I see lots of it around so it obviously exists I was just after pointers on tracking it down.

I understand that farming isn't what it used to be, as far as the hoops thy have to jump through.

I don't want it to be a communial thing, or be part of a group or anything. Whilst this may limit my options.

Whilst I'm not expecting to have people queuing up to bite my hand off for a grand a year, I also know business and a grand of recurant profit for a plot of land that isn't used for anythig currently, wih zero increase in costs probably equates to having to find ten or twenty grand of increase in turnover at a healthy 5 or 10 % net profit. All Without the hassel of having to actually work the land. So I'm sure with time I'll find some one willing to consider it.

Thanks for the heads up, I hadn't considered planning permission. That but might present a problem, but underlines the need to keep it a spot that won't attract attention.

 

[scarecrow]

not sure about planning permissions but I would be very surprised if you needed it to pitch a tent one of the main reasons for a lease would be that farmer wouldn't be liable if anything happened but if you invited someone on to land and a got hurt you would be responsible I think even though I have land leased myself im not sure of this end of things
I presume woodland would probably do it might also be easier to find and access also has to be taken into account
Best of luck withyour search

 

[Dangle_kt]

Thanks, I'm not in hurry but when I manage it I'll let you guys know. Cheers again.

 

[snowcat]

TBH private land rather than farm owned land may be a far better bet, what looks like unfarmed wasted land is often not, its all part of the nonsense of the SFP....

locally tho small plots circa 5-6 acres hit six figures at auction, mostly house owners either extending garden plots, or desperate to stop the pikeys getting hold of it....

A port of call I have thought of is a local land agent these will pose the question to any local suspects that may be willing....

best of luck whichever route you take....

 

[Hugh Jass]

Maybe if you could do this by a shake of the hand and that way the Farmer could say he had no idea you were there.

But it sounds like a fantastic idea and I understand that you want it to be father and son time and not have to join a club where it may detract from the bond you wish to create with your son.
I can only say good luck and I hope you find something.