Agricultural Landlord & Tenant Code of Practice for England
The Code provides guidance on the standards of behaviour expected from landlords and tenants as well as those providing professional advice in connection with agricultural tenancy matters.
Farming in Protected Landscapes
The FIPL grant scheme has been running for a little while now, supporting projects that…
Sustainable Farming Incentive – More Actions Announced
The Actions introduced in 2023 will remain available for 2024, with increased payment rates for some standards applying with immediate effect for both current and new agreement holders.
Roundwell Park, Bearstead
Exclusive new development in Bearsted. Contact the Cranbrook office for more details…
Delinked Payments – action required?
It has been well documented that BPS payments in years 2024 to 2027 will not be based on what you are farming but what you claimed in years 2020 to 2022.
Farming Equipment and Technology Fund
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund has re-opened for applications. This year there are three grant themes:
We will be at Farm Expo 2024
We are once again pleased to be attending Farm Expo taking place at Kent Showground on 6th March.
Another hoop for landlords to jump through
With GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) governing how we all collect, process and store personal data, landlords now need to go online and register with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Improving Farm Productivity Grant – Now Open
There are two themes to the Improving Farm Productivity grant (part of the Farming Investment Fund) for which funding is available…
BNG dates now released, but the size and type of your development will determine what is applicable and when…
From 12 February 2024, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) becomes mandatory for new planning applications related to major developments governed by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, with some confirmed exemptions.
Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) Grants – Wealden and Rother District Councils
We have previously reported on the allocation of funding from Central Government to Local Government for grants to support rural businesses. Wealden and Rother District Councils have now opened their grant scheme and are inviting applications for projects from rural businesses that will create jobs, increase productivity and adopt new technology.
Agricultural Transition Plan Update
Defra have today published an update on the Agricultural Transition Plan, outlining changes that will take affect during the course of 2024.
What are your property investment plans for 2024?
Are you looking to purchase more rental properties, or invest in existing to drive returns? Or are you looking to consolidate and potentially sell property due to ongoing legislative uncertainty?
Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) Grants
Ashford Borough Council have now launched their grant scheme, with three separate funding streams…
Innovation Grant Funding
Innovation Grant Funding A grant fund administered by a Growing Kent and Medway consortium, led by NIAB, is available to fund projects for the development
Winter is upon us
Our Property Managers are busy making sure the properties we manage under our Fully Managed service are in good order with all routine maintenance up to date.
Sustainable Farming Incentive
The L&F team are busy preparing SFI applications for a range of farm sizes and farming systems. Whilst for some farms the SFI Actions are easily incorporated, for others it will mean more significant changes to farming operations.
Supporting local food banks this Christmas
This year we are supporting various local food banks around the south east in place of sending Christmas cards.
Wadhurst Late Night Shopping – 1st December
We are delighted to be supporting this year’s late night shopping event in Wadhurst. Join us for refreshments and take part in our raffle in aid of Carillon Cottage.
The English Woodland Creation Offer – grant funding available for planting trees on your land
The English Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) is a scheme run by the Forestry Commission where landowners can apply for grant funding to support the creation of new woodland areas on their land.
Sustainable Farming Incentive and Delinked Basic Payments Update
To submit an SFI application you no longer need to make an initial expression of interest. The application window is open and in our experience over the past few weeks the RPA are turning around applications and awarding agreements within a number of days.
Section 21 “no fault” evictions will remain
The Government has confirmed that changes to the current system for repossessing properties “will not take place until we judge sufficient progress has been made to improve the courts.” It continues: “That means we will not proceed with the abolition of section 21, until reforms to the justice system are in place.”
SFI – Expression of interest process
We are now well underway with preparing and submitting SFI applications for clients. There is an expression of interest process to go through, which enables you to then submit an application.
Slurry Infrastructure Grant – Round 2
Grants of between £25,000 and £250,000 are available to improve your slurry storage to go beyond legal minimums. The grant is available to help replace, build additional, expand or cover existing slurry stores to reach the grant storage requirements.
Farm Machinery Sale Success!
We were delighted for our vendors that the machinery dispersal sale, held at Church Farm, Herstmonceux, resulted in an excellent outcome, with a virtual 100% clearance of the items on offer.
Balaclava Inn – Wadhurst
An impressive collection of six bespoke one
and two bedroom apartments located close to
the heart of Wadhurst village in the hamlet of
Cousley Wood within The High Weald Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty in a semi-rural location,
with wonderful views of the open countryside.
Planned EPC targets scrapped by the government
Planned EPC targets scrapped by the government The news that the government has scrapped the proposal to require all rental properties to reach a level
27th Sept – East Kent Ploughing Match
The East Kent Ploughing Match is an annual event that has been running for nearly 80 years. We would be delighted if you can join us for refreshments and the opportunity to meet the team to talk about your property and planning needs.
20th Sept – Laughton & District Ploughing Match
We would be delighted if you can join us for refreshments and the opportunity to meet the team to talk about your property and planning needs.
16th Sept – Weald of Kent Ploughing Match
We would be delighted if you can join us in our marquee from 9.00am for BBQ delights and tasty refreshments. Take the opportunity to meet the team and talk to us about your property and planning needs.
Roundwell Park – Phase 1 Released
Roundwell Park is an exciting addition to Bearsted village in the County of Kent. A collection of 43 substantial four- and five-bedroom detached homes will create a thriving new community, set within walking distance of local facilities, the village green and the 26 protected acres of Bearsted Woodland Trust.
SFI – Applications open from 18 September
SFI – Applications open from 18 September The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) will open for applications from 18th September. For those interested in applying, the
Countryside Stewardship Application Deadline extended to 15th September
The RPA have announced that the window for Countryside Stewardship Applications will now remain open until 15th September.
If you are interested in making an application, please do contact a member of the team.
New Grants Announced for Livestock Housing
DEFRA have announced the new Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure Grant which will provide funding for new and upgraded livestock housing. The Grant will open later this summer, initially focussing on housing for calves (less than 6 months old), but in time grants will be available for adult cattle, pig and poultry housing.
Sustainable Farming Incentive – the long awaited detail
For sometime now we have known that further SFI ‘standards’ would be released in 2023. The handbook to accompany these ‘standards’ has now been released albeit they are no longer referred to as ‘standards’ but ‘actions’!
Unleashing Rural Opportunity
Unleashing Rural Opportunity is the latest document released by DEFRA focussing on rural affairs. Recognising that the countryside is over 90% of the UK’s land mass, home to millions, and contributes over £250 billion to the English economy, it provides an overview of what the Government are doing to help rural businesses and communities thrive by combating the unique challenges they face.
Wellshurst Breakfast Seminar – 25th May 2023
Our final breakfast seminar took place at Wellshurst Golf & Country Club with their beautiful views across the Sussex Downs.
Dale Hill Breakfast Seminar – 18th May 2023
Dale Hill Breakfast Seminar – 18th May 2023 Thank you to all who attended our second breakfast seminar of the month this morning at Dale
Broome Park Breakfast Seminar – 11th May 2023
Thank you to all who attended our first breakfast seminar at the stunning Broome Park in Barham, Canterbury.
Rural England Prosperity Fund
Grants for diversification projects are now available to rural businesses.
Improving farm productivity through more efficient use of water
In the coming weeks, Defra will open the application window for Water Management Grants. This is part of the Farming Investment Fund and is for horticultural and arable businesses growing, or intending to grow, irrigated food crops, ornamentals, or forestry nurseries.
Easter Weekend Opening Hours
Our office will be closed for Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Mortgage Contribution available at Rosewood Place, Matfield
Mortgage contribution available at Rosewood Place, Matfield Find out more about Fernham Homes > VIEW PROPERTIES AVAILABLE: View Property P16 The Wingham, Rosewood Place, Maidstone
Animal Health and Welfare grants
The application window is now open for grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 towards the cost of items which are designed to improve the health and welfare of livestock.