Planning permission - processing logs on agricultural land

[dustydave]

I had a similar problem. The solution...

 

Do you have any farmer friends nearby, or is there a wood near to you (within 5 miles).

 

If there is and you can get friendly with the owner then ask him if you can buy dead wood timber off him, or if ask if you call tell the planning dpt. that you rent the wood (on paper only).

 

Then inform the planning officer that you cannot understand the fuss as the unit in which you process the logs is part of a larger agricultural unit (which includes the wood) - this can be up to 5 miles away.

 

They won't bother investigating exactly where the logs come from.

[Flyguy]

If I were you I would apply for residential PP, then sell the land to a developer for a big profit and move on to a new bigger yard pocketing the difference.

[zeroluke]

Mmmm except they may have bought the houses on the premise that the land use would change to residential / holiday homes.

 

Thats their own fault. Not everyone is a greedy developer type. And even if theres an advertisement that it might be developed, it doesn't mean it will.

[hardtop110]

Zero - that's a bit harsh.

It's also fair to assume that if the rest of the farm has gone, then there shouldn't be any agricultural works going on on the small bit of land left.

Anyway, planning has told the op that he needs permission to do what he is doing, so there is clearly a problem.

[Eagle]

On a side issue... I thought the electric chainsaws weren't quieter than a petrol version?

[Andy Collins]

Some of the attitudes here beggar belief. Either get planning consent to change your use to industrial, or put up some cabins or whatever you want within planning guidelines, or sell the land. To start ranting about neighbours wont resolve the issue, only worsen it. You are the one breaking the planning laws, not them.

[PhilBeech]

What Andy said!

 

YOU were told by the LPA in the first instance that you needed to apply for a change of use.

 

He gave you some advice to buy you some time.

 

YOU ignored his advice because he forgot to send you the forms.

 

Result - brown stuff hits the fan, did you just think it would all go away?

 

Apply for permission, you never know, you might get it with some conditions!

[dustydave]

I'd be very wary about putting in a planning application. Better to go for a certificate of lawful development. Or, don't do anything at all.

 

If you put in a planning application, you'll get the parish council all excited about what you do there (you've probably got a parish councilor as a neighbour). Even if you do get planning permission they'll attach so many conditions you'll be hard pushed to run a profitable business.

 

Planning officers have plenty of things to do and are not that proactive when the activity is in a 'grey area' such as chopping logs that could be considered agricultural or could be industrial.

 

Become a bit more inventive: tell them that you innoculate each log with shiitake spores, go and talk to your mp etc.

[robbo 110]

I had a similar problem. The solution...

 

Do you have any farmer friends nearby, or is there a wood near to you (within 5 miles).

 

If there is and you can get friendly with the owner then ask him if you can buy dead wood timber off him, or if ask if you call tell the planning dpt. that you rent the wood (on paper only).

 

Then inform the planning officer that you cannot understand the fuss as the unit in which you process the logs is part of a larger agricultural unit (which includes the wood) - this can be up to 5 miles away.

 

They won't bother investigating exactly where the logs come from.

 

:biggrin:

 

'stretching' planning regulations is the only way forwards... especially on green belt!!! agricultural to industrial wont happen easily & will cost lots.

 

as others have said, get those cabins up before your time runs out, in the meantime look for somewhere without neibours!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Justme]

There is a deminimis rule in agriculture & forestry planning rules where the use is small & incidental to the main use of the site. So if you not doing loads you could mention that to the planners.