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Improving the water resilience of farming businesses
As periods of drought become more common, water security is rising up the agenda for UK farmers. We explore how businesses can improve their water resilience. Water has traditionally been viewed by many farmers as a utility that is simply there. However, with the increasing frequency of extreme weather patterns, resulting in prolonged droughts and flash […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 6 July 2026
Farming & food SFI26 update – very strong demand with around 50% of window 1 budget allocated after three days (England) As expected, a lot of applications were submitted as soon as the application window opened. Defra says that demand has now levelled out but our advice remains to submit an application as soon as possible. If you would like any assistance in preparing an application, please contact your local […]
Farming Roadmap 2050: What comes next for farmers?
It is a rare sight to see a piece of policy that crosses the siloes of different government departments. The Farming Roadmap may be such a unicorn. Following closely on the heels of the Land Use Framework, the Roadmap endeavours to lay out a vision for English agriculture that crosses boundaries from food production to […]
Planning reform update: 7 key changes for rural landowners
The Government’s ambitious targets for 1.5 million homes and economic growth have prompted significant planning reforms over the past two years. A new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was introduced by the Government in December 2024, but the policy landscape continues to evolve, and we await publication of more radical NPPF changes shortly. From a […]
Farmers urged to check RPA records well in advance of SFI26 application
Farmers are being encouraged to carry out essential checks on their Rural Payments Agency (RPA) accounts ahead of the launch of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2026 scheme – including anyone looking to apply in September 2026. The SFI26 budget is widely expected to come under significant pressure when the scheme opens to all eligible […]
What the National Scheme of Delegation means for planning decisions
New rules are due to come into force in England on 31 October 2026 with the aim of delivering faster and more consistent local planning decisions. The National Scheme of Delegation of Planning Functions introduces a list of the types of applications which should be determined by planning officers and another list which details applications which can be referred to planning […]
The future of rural estates: Decline or transition?
Rural estates are facing a defining moment that calls for an approach that goes beyond what many may think of as traditional land management. At a time when the UK is focused on strengthening energy and food security, alongside nature recovery and climate mitigation, rural landowners and estate managers find themselves central to some of the nation’s most important policy and investment decisions. The recent Land Use Framework reflects this shift, signalling […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 15 June 2026
Farming & food Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI26) to have £240m funding (England) The funding will be split £60m for Window 1, which opens on 30 June for farmers without an ELM agreement and farms under 50 ha, and £180m for Window 2, when opens in September for all other farmers. Defra has also confirmed that its IT systems are […]
Careful decision making required on SFI26
SFI26 offers potential in terms of helping farms to reduce risk and deliver a more resilient farming system – but careful analysis is needed to ensure the figures stack up. The scheme is due to open on 18 June for a limited group of farmers and then more widely on 30 June to farmers with […]
In the Know: Agroforestry grants and funding
Agroforestry is gaining momentum across the UK as farmers and landowners look for resilient, profitable systems that work with natural processes rather than against them. Agroforestry essentially integrates trees with crops or livestock to create a more diverse, productive and climate-resilient farmed landscape. This approach is not new, as trees have been a part of […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 25 May 2026
Farming & food UK vineyard business survey 2026 – open for responses now (UK) The UK viticulture sector has gone through a period of rapid growth and has had some bumper years recently. We would like produce a picture of the state of the UK vineyard sector by asking viticulture businesses about the factors that […]
Grants to support sustainable lowland peat management
Funding is currently available to help farmers and other stakeholders explore more sustainable ways of managing lowland peat – to preserve soils, cut emissions and maintain agricultural viability. England’s lowland peatlands, which include the Cambridgeshire Fens, Somerset Levels and Moors, and the Lancashire Mosses, are among the country’s most fertile and historically important landscapes. For […]
Biodiversity Net Gain reforms – key changes
The Government has recently announced several amendments to Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policy and procedures which have the potential to increase demand for off-site delivery. While the requirement to deliver a minimum 10% biodiversity uplift remains unchanged, the reforms suggest a shift towards a more flexible system, particularly for smaller development sites, and a reduced […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 4 May 2026
Farming & food Farmers without an existing ELM agreement should consider applying for SFI26 (England) The government has published some initial guidance for farmers who are eligible to apply in the first application window, which is expected to open in late June. They are farmers who (i) did not have a live, RPA-administered ELM revenue […]
Letting residential property – what is changing in Scotland?
Landlords in Scotland are facing some important changes this year, as new legislation aimed at strengthening tenant rights and improving standards across the private rented sector begin to take effect. Damp and mould From 6 October 2026, landlords will be subject to new responsibilities around the investigation and repair of damp and mould issues. While Scottish landlords have […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 27 April 2026
Farming & food Area of let farmland continues to fall (England) The latest data from Defra on land ownership and tenure shows that the area of land let out (for one year or more) continues to fall (to ~28% of land, from around ~33% in 2010). The data comes from the June Survey of Agriculture, […]
Rising fuel and fertiliser costs demand a proactive response
Escalating fuel, fertiliser and energy costs are set to place even greater pressure on farm margins in the months ahead. The conflict in the Middle East has driven sharp increases in oil prices, with red diesel almost doubling from around 72p/litre to almost 140p/litre at peak. Fertiliser spot prices have also increased by around 30-40%, […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 6 April 2026
Farming & food Rural Support Plan (Scotland) The Scottish Government has published its first Rural Support Plan to give more clarity on how farmers will be supported over the next five years. It confirms the ‘four-tier’ model for farm support with some direct payments continuing, but payments being conditional on meeting enhanced baseline standards. Indirect […]
Land Use Framework: Key signals for land managers
The Government’s first Land Use Framework for England gives land managers and farmers plenty to consider. The central message is that there is enough land to build homes, restore nature, expand renewable energy and maintain food production – provided it is used in a more efficient and multifunctional way. But equally it acknowledges that different […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 23 March 2026
Farming & food The Land Use Framework for England (England) The government has published England’s first ever Land Use Framework. It provides ‘broad direction that can inform decision-making on multifunctional and efficient land use’, based on ‘the most advanced spatial analysis ever undertaken in this country’. The document repeatedly states that: The Framework will be […]
