Rural Hub

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Strutt & Parker Rural Hub

The Rural Hub is the place to find information, advice and latest research on all aspects of estate and farm management.

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At Strutt & Parker, our goal is to help you maximise the potential of your land. Through effective estate management, and expert advice on subjects such as environmental land management, farm management and rural planning, we can help ensure the financial and environmental sustainability of your business.

As you consider your future strategy, having access to the right expertise and information is crucial; the Strutt & Parker Rural Hub gives you access to the most up-to-date guidance and research on topical issues relating to farming, forestry, viticulture, renewable energy and agronomy. Our experienced rural team are here to support you as you transition into your next chapter.

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23.03.2023

Land Business Update | Week Commencing 20th March 2023

SPRING BUDGET 2023 A hit or miss for rural areas? There were some significant announcements (see bullet points below) but many rural stakeholders will remain frustrated as the Budget and other recent announcements have not made it any clearer how the government intends to ‘level up’ rural places; this includes funding rural places in a […]
20.03.2023

Spring Budget 2023 – A hit or miss for rural areas?

You could be forgiven for thinking that there was not much on offer for rural businesses and places in the Spring 2023 Budget. There were a few significant announcements, which include: The 100% first year allowance for companies to be able to write off the full cost of qualifying main rate plant and machinery investment […]
13.03.2023

New Peatland Code aims to drive lowland peat projects

An update of the Peatland Code has just been released which include changes reflecting the benefits of restoring lowland peat. For the first time fenland peatland under restoration or re-wetting will be eligible for carbon credit registration. Andy Adamson, a specialist in environmental land management – including peatland restoration – for Strutt & Parker, says: […]
09.03.2023

Land Business Update | Week Commencing 6th March 2023

FARMING Basic Payment Scheme opens in England on 14th March This year payments will be 35 – 55% lower than historical rates.  Please contact your local farming team or Andrew Atkinson, who writes our guide to Basic Payments, if you have any questions about BPS or planning farming systems to adjust to the reductions. How […]
06.03.2023

How to manage woodland to benefit pollinators

Improving ride management within woodlands and picking certain tree species should help landowners and farmers to boost numbers of wild insect pollinators. There is growing concern about declines in pollinator numbers given their role in natural ecosystems and food production, but there are ways for land managers to help. Hundreds of pollinator species can interact […]
02.03.2023

Scottish Farming Update: Spring 2023

Welcome to this quarter’s Scottish Farming Update, which is produced by our Farming Research Group and reports on market and administrative issues that affect farmers’ business decisions and on which they may need to act. At the time of writing in mid-February grain and oil seed markets have been gradually improving for three weeks due […]
27.02.2023

Scottish estate market slightly cooled in 2022, but prices remain high

The market for Scottish estates cooled slightly in 2022, with fewer, but larger, estates put up for sale, although prices remained significantly higher than they were two years ago. Strutt & Parker’s latest annual Scottish Estate Market Review shows the number of transactions fell by 18% in 2022, with the gross cumulative sum spent on […]
24.02.2023

English Farming Update: Spring 2023

Welcome to this quarter’s Farming Update, which is produced by our Farming Research Group and reports on market and administrative issues that affect farmers’ business decisions and on which they may need to act. At the time of writing in mid-February grain and oilseed markets have been gradually improving for three weeks due to several […]
23.02.2023

Land Business Update | Week Commencing 20th February 2023

FARMING Scottish agricultural reform route map published This sets out the timetable for changes to farming and environmental policy between now and 2027 to help land managers plan for them. It confirms that the existing support will continue in 2023 and 2024 as expected with the changes to support starting in 2025: New conditionality requirements […]
23.02.2023

100% grants for forestry training in England in 2024

A Forestry Training Fund has been launched to cover training costs for short, practical forestry courses – although new applicants will have to wait a year to benefit. The Forestry Commission is making funding available for people considering a change of career or seeking to build and diversify their skills in forestry and who want […]
16.02.2023

Is a Land Use Commission for England on the cards?

Multiple calls have been made over the past five years for a more strategic approach to land use in England. What we want from land is becoming increasingly complex. As a society, we want land to produce food, for housing and infrastructure, to generate energy, sequester carbon, restore biodiversity, and provide opportunities for public access […]
14.02.2023

Environmental Principles | 10 Pointers to abide by

A useful guide for property and land owners and managers when making decisions about their property that affects its impact on the environment and society. Decisions should ideally be responsible, based on sound principles and of high-integrity.
09.02.2023

Land Business Update | Week Commencing 6th February 2023

FARMING New round of funding to improve farm profitability and sustainability The second round of the Large Research and Development (R&D) Partnerships fund will open on the 20th February for farmers, growers, foresters and agri-businesses. The £8 million pot of money will aim to fund projects seeking to develop new agricultural solutions aimed at for […]
08.02.2023

Woodland creation has a role to play in nature recovery

Nature is currently under an enormous amount of pressure due the impact of climate change and the cumulative effects of human activity. A State of Nature report published in 2019 concluded that over 40% of UK species had declined since the 1970s. This is clearly worrying for all of us, and something needs to be […]
07.02.2023

Case studies: Unlocking solar opportunities for rural clients

Strutt & Parker’s 15-strong energy team advises and negotiates on behalf of rural clients on a wide range of both small-scale and large-scale renewables projects. They are heavily involved with energy audits and feasibility assessments – for all types of renewable energy – as well as negotiating lease terms, expert witness work, valuations and advising […]
06.02.2023

At-a-glance guide to changes to MEES regulations

With the new non-domestic minimum EPC standards coming into force from April 2023, land and property owners must keep abreast of the all new domestic and non-domestic energy efficiency regulations and ensure that all properties are compliant to avoid financial repercussions. Our latest guidance document provides a simple breakdown of the confirmed and expected changes […]
03.02.2023

Land Business Tracker | February 2023

Welcome to our quarterly tracker of key land management, farming, planning and energy regulation and legislation. We try to keep the Tracker as concise as possible and to only focus on what is significant. However we have noticed, over the past year or so, that that list has become longer and we think that this […]
31.01.2023

Game-changing farming technology offers opportunities

Future farms technology is virtually here. But is the fourth agricultural revolution just the territory of scientists and tech buffs, or will it bring immediate opportunities to land managers and help solve the huge challenges society faces? Agriculture has never stood still. The period after the Second World War, for example, saw huge changes as […]
27.01.2023

Scottish Farmland Market Review | Spring 2023

Farmland values in Scotland remain strong with demand robust across all farm types. Analysis of data from the past 12 months shows that overall land prices increased during the first half of 2022, although they flattened off in the autumn. The average value of prime arable land on the east coast was £9,500/acre, but varied […]
27.01.2023

Defra unveils plan to turbocharge SFI and CSS

Defra is trying to turbocharge its Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme. Janet Hughes, who is the director at Defra responsible for the Food, Farming and Countryside Programme, provided an update on the ‘prospectus’ for ELM before it was formally released in detail by ministers. She said that she hopes it gives the sector the information […]
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Strutt & Parker’s renowned rural publications cover all areas of the industry including identifying drivers and investigating the latest market trends.

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Our Specialisms

Managing Estates & Land

Strutt & Parker’s national land management team provides strategic business advice and practical management services to clients including private estates, local authorities, charities, institutional investors and utility companies. The priority of our team of experienced rural surveyors is to ensure that each client’s land and property is managed to meet the objectives that matter most to them.

We have a proven track record in supporting landowners to make the most of their rural assets, to fulfil both business and personal objectives. Our input will be tailored according to an individual’s requirements. It can range from strategic business advice, compulsory purchase orders, renewable energy and long-term tax planning, through to hands-on management of the whole estate, handling all the day-to-day decision making.  

Farming

Our experienced and knowledgeable farming team can help make you become more profitable and efficient by offering practical and realistic farm management advice. We have a proven track record of working with the most progressive farmers and landowners.

Our people, who are based in 13 offices around the country, have the experience and local knowledge to help you grow your business including; agronomy, livestock management as well as assisting in solving bigger strategic issues such as succession planning or a change in business structure. Nearly half of our experts are BASIS and FACTS qualified, delivering independent crop management advice across more than 50,000ha.

Forestry & Woodland

John Clegg & Co is the specialist forestry & woodland division of Strutt & Parker. Our specialist forestry and woodland management team advise on everything from large-scale commercial conifer forests through to small-scale mixed amenity woodland blocks. We are able to advise on everything from planting and management of woodlands on estates, to improving timber quality, through to felling and the processing of timber ready for sale.

We can also help secure grant funding for the creation and sustainable management of woodland as well as guide landowners on how to manage their commercial woodland to ensure that they qualify for capital gains and inheritance tax exemptions.

Find out more about John Clegg & Co and the services they offer.

Environmental

Strutt & Parker’s environmental land management advice is delivered with an eye firmly on the bigger picture and with a long-term perspective. We work closely with our clients, who range from farmers and landowners to institutions and corporate bodies, to help them reduce their environmental impact, mitigate climate change and enhance biodiversity. Our teams can offer advice and support on areas such as agri-environment scheme applications, regenerative farming, carbon audits and natural capital accounts.

In addition, we advise clients who want to embrace opportunities to provide ecosystem services through the management of their natural capital assets. This might be through woodland creation, peatland restoration, soil carbon schemes or Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). We have seen significant growth in interest from funds and corporate occupiers who are looking to nature-based solutions as part of their ESG strategies as they plan for successful and sustainable futures for their real estate assets and portfolios. We can provide bespoke solutions through our specialist natural capital team within Strutt & Parker, which complements our dedicated UK sustainability team within the BNP Paribas Group and over 40 specialists across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Energy

Strutt & Parker’s Energy Team is at the forefront of assisting clients to identify opportunities for development, investment and management of energy generating projects, alongside energy conservation and responding to energy efficiency legislation.

Our independent advice can guide you through all aspects of energy with the knowledge that we understand how it fits in with your wider property strategy. We provide services for all types of property and the energy sector. We have experience advising across the UK from the City of London to the Highlands of Scotland.

We also have specialist planning advisers, building surveying experts and agency teams to provide additional support for all your energy needs.

Rural Ambitions

Rural Ambitions provide entrepreneurial consultancy advice to family businesses in the rural community, to help traditional estates and farms develop into resilient and diverse businesses. Drawing on MBA and urban place making talent, we strive to create customer facing, innovative places in the rural landscape that anticipate changing trends in order that they remain relevant and engaging. 

Rural Placemaking is our unique proposition to the market. It is the understanding that we can be editors of the places we own. We can invite the businesses that inspire us and that share our values to become our trading partners. Placemaking is the reinterpretation of footpaths and cycle routes through woods and along river banks to create a natural, energetic footfall from one estate business to the next. In a world where what the market values is changing more rapidly than any of us can remember, placemaking is being alive to the opportunities and threats that this brings, and helping our clients adapt their businesses to thrive in these turbulent times. 

Managing Rural Housing

Our services are tailored to each client and range from advising on the regulations affecting residential tenancies, through to a full residential property management service.

Using research-led insights, we are able to effectively find the right tenants for your property, as well as preparing tenancy agreements, arrange inventories, collect rents and deal with tenancy renewals and ensuring that legislative requirements are met, such as checking gas boilers and smoke alarms.

Viticulture

Strutt & Parker’s viticulture group are the market leaders in identifying and securing land suitable for vines through purchases or rental agreements, using our specialist vineyard mapping software. We have helped buy land for several clients including Champagne Taittinger, Champagne Pommery, Chapel Down and Nyetimber.

We also have specialist planning, development and hospitality teams that can help clients secure planning permission for and build wineries and visitor centres.

Rural Connectivity

Strutt & Parker’s unrivalled telecoms group acts for landowners only and never for telecommunications operators. With dedicated local specialists, we act for a range of corporate clients, local authorities and government departments as well as for private individuals owning a single site.

We oversee new lettings and lease renewals, negotiate rent reviews, advise on-site shares and deal with site upgrade requests. We also deal with assignments and network convergence between operators looking to share antenna systems.

Our work covers rooftop installations as well as greenfield sites. Wayleaves for cabling (including fibre optics) and access agreements form an ever-growing part of our work. We also market and manage individual radio mast sites, as well as extensive portfolios of mobile phone masts.

The team regularly conduct Expert Witness work for court and arbitration purposes, where their wealth of experience can carry substantial weight on behalf of clients.

Client Accounting & Taxation

Our land & property accounting and bookkeeping department works closely with our taxation team, who uniquely combine rural and agricultural tax specialists with both considerable HM Revenue & Customs and private practice experience.

The departments offer a bespoke service in accounting and taxation to include, final accounts, VAT, payroll, bookkeeping and tax compliance, based on decades of working in the rural sector.

Estates Development & Planning

The Planning Team work alongside landowners, institutional clients and the development industry to unlock the planning potential of land and buildings throughout the United Kingdom.

We excel at providing planning advice with a twist of local political knowledge. We have a growing team of experienced planners with practical project management skills to resolve the ever more challenging and complicated planning system.

Our planners work in close partnership with our development teams, who regularly advise landowners on their estate planning including; planning applications, promotion agreements and joint ventures. Their thorough knowledge of the market ensures that the development team are able to advise on the optimum solution for promoting our clients’ landholdings to achieve the best price on sale.

Estates & Farms Agency

Strutt & Parker have been at the forefront of the estates and farms market for over 130 years. We have over 25 specialist local agents located across England and Scotland. All of our agents are experienced and offer a combination of detailed local knowledge of farmland values as well as a national perspective and extensive global connections through our network of 55 UK offices.

Future Trends

Keeping abreast of trends in markets and demographics is key to running successful rural businesses. Whether it is looking for diversification opportunities, investing in the latest technological advances such as vertical farming or considering environmental change and how rural businesses can contribute positively to society.  Our specialist team, called Rural Ambitions, helps businesses convert these trends into valuable knowledge to start or develop successful businesses. 

Research

Our in-house rural research team reviews the latest information and trends and produces briefing papers for clients and for our Rural team, so it is as up-to-date as possible.  It is led by Dr Jason Beedell, who is part of our team of 49 researchers which works across Europe on all major property markets.  We produce a series of rural market reports, on crop yields, returns from contract farming and the farmland markets in England and Scotland, as well as occasional papers.  The team also produces Land Business Update, a free fortnightly e-bulletin on the latest property news and issues. 

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