What can i do on my land?

[skyhuck]

They will struggle to stop you storing timber there, its an "agricultural field" and forestry is "agriculture" so you should be fine.

 

Processing timber is totally different and they could try to stop you if you don't have planing consent.

[Lee Winger]

I suggest you get in touch with a good solicitor and get advice from them, rather than going to the council, the less the council know the better IMO

[skyhuck]

I suggest you get in touch with a good solicitor and get advice from them, rather than going to the council, the less the council know the better IMO

 

[Buzzsurgeon]

Keep a low profile and do what you need to do, as long as you don't cause a nuisance to anyone there won't be a problem. The second you contact the authorities you will plant a seed for all sorts of issues. planning permission, permits, business rates and all the associated restrictions and costs which probably won't be sustainable for your requirements, leaving you with land that is useless for your needs.

[armchairarborist]

think you can live in a touring caravan as long as you move it a bit every 3mths, only problem being it tends to pee planners off so they refuse everything from you then. if you can prove you are using it for agriculture/forestry/hort (not just a yard) and show a business plan and reason you 'need' to live on the site they should let you use a static caravan for 3-5yrs to see if it is working and to show books before you can apply to build a decent dwelling.. hope this helps.

[renewablejohn]

Start by applying to the Environment agency for all the relevant exemptions as a guide I registered for numbers 30,25,21,48,15,5,32,4,17,18,13,14. Once you have these under your belt start your woodland operation making sure you take photographic evidence to give a history of the site. After 4 years the council will find it very difficult to argue against the business having been established at which point you can go with all guns blazing for a farm diversification to include your holiday lets. I use a land agent for advice and he is getting very frustrated with council attitudes to rural diversification so the stronger your position prior to approaching the council the better.

[chaffey]

Go renewable John:thumbup:. I contacted the environment agency about these things and a few other bits as well. They were really helpfull and sent me links to all the things that could affect me. I was pleasantly surprised to speak to someone that knew what they were doing. Just give them a call and they will explain all the exemptions you need (which are normally free anyway) and you will be sorted.

[Buzzsurgeon]

Be careful if importing waste or timber to the site from other jobs, especially from arb as this is not forestry/agriculture!

[big fell!]

The key to getting permission for structures on a forestry or agriculture plot is to keep saying the phrase- SEMI PERMANANT STRUCTURE! They seem to like that phrase and somebody previously said to get some chickens, that always helps. Charcoal burning is another good one as you have to be on site 24 hours when doing a burn... BUY AN OLD CHARCOAL BURNER AND PUT IT IN A CORNER!

[Hodge]

Cheers everyone for all the help, im meeting with a land agent for advice. i think i will keep my head down as well.