What's New

The Welsh Government has issued this statement today in apparent answer to the concerns recently expressed by farmers and covering the Sustainable Farming Scheme consultation, the Water Resources Regulations and TB policy. This note has an overview.

Last year, we briefed members on proposed changes to be made to the Planning Policy Wales (PPW) document, to introduce a requirement for net benefit for biodiversity to be achieved by developments (see: CAAV Note 230316: Wales - Biodiversity Update to PPW - The Central Association for Agricultural Valuers). In a letter to heads of planning in Wales, the Chief Planner has now confirmed the changes that are to be made. The original wording of the policy set out at consultation has been...

HMRC are offering two webinars for residential landlords:19th March 2024 - expenses and deductions, including revenue and capital expenses, costs of repairs and improvements and finance. Register here20th March 2024 - property income, including furnished holiday lets, 'Rent a Room' scheme and property income allowance. Register here...

The Green Finance Institute, with funding from DEFRA, have produced a Farming Toolkit for Assessing Nature Market Opportunities. This note has a short overview.

Having gained Royal Assent last year, England’s Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 is being implemented in phases. Secondary legislation is required for many of the provisions, with the Act simply providing the enabling powers for these. The Act covers a wide range of subjects, but much of it concerns development control matters and some points on compulsory purchase. It is this latter subject of compulsory purchase which is the focus of the note below, with commencement regulations...

The guidance for the 2024 round of the Farming Equipment & Technology Fund (FETF 2024) has now been published Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). DEFRA have also published a blog post on the fund: Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2024: guidance now available - Farming (blog.gov.uk). This note provides an overview of the 2024 grants....

The Prime Minister speaking to the NFU AGM on 20th February has announced a business package for farming, specifically with reference to “productivity and resilience”. This note has more detail.

The House of Commons Committee published its 10th Report on HS2, which includes recommendations to the Department for Transport and HS2 regarding land disposal policy on the cancelled sections of the project.

Following the Prime Minister’s speech today at the NFU AGM, DEFRA has published these two overviews of its schemes: the range of financial assistance schemes – see this link the Farming Investment Fund for productivity The Prime Minister's announcements are summarised in our note....

The accompanying note summarises the Prime Minister's announcements at the NFU AGM on 20th February 2024

Responding to the recent farmers demonstrations in Wales over issues including the demands of the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said that it is for the Welsh Government, not farmers, to determine what it wants for the money it can offer Welsh agriculture. The note below provides more information.

DEFRA is lifting the Kent and Norfolk Temporary Control Zones (TCZs) for Bluetongue in England from Monday 19th February. This note sets out more detail.

Further to our website note of 15th February, this note sets out more details of the enlargement of Class MA permitted development right to change use from commercial to residential use