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Seven decisions rural estates cannot afford to delay
The need for rural estates to adapt has never been clearer. Rising costs, regulatory pressures, and shifting demands on land use have made it evident that standing still is not an option. While the forces reshaping the rural sector are significant – from climate change to taxation – the consensus is clear: resilience depends on […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 31 August 2026
Farming & food SFI26 Window 1 now closed and Window 2 opening on 22 September (England) The window for smaller farms and applicants without an existing agreement has now closed. The unspent Window 1 funding will be added to the Window 2 budget, which is now £290m. Defra has published some interesting data on the […]
The future of farming requires transformative thinking
Struggling, surviving or transforming – which type of business is yours? For years, we’ve heard warnings that UK agriculture is at a crossroads and while many farming businesses have folded over the past two decades the system has never fully imploded. But now we really are at a critical juncture. Even the pragmatists are concerned. […]
What the NPPF means for residential development viability
The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) brings some important changes for the development viability process – in particular where and when viability is likely to be tested. Viability assessments are used to establish whether a development is financially viable, by looking at the value and costs of a proposal, which includes establishing the maximum […]
Coolcations and noctourism – the opportunities for Scottish landowners
Scotland’s rural estates and farms are well-positioned to capitalise on continued growth in experience-based tourism, with strong interest from consumers – particularly Gen Z and Millennials – for activities based around food, nature, heritage and the outdoors. An expanding body of research points to consumers increasingly prioritising their discretionary spending on leisure activities and experiences. […]
The 2026 NPPF – first impressions
The new rules-based National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has landed and represents the most significant rewrite of national policy since the introduction of the NPPF in 2012. It is not necessarily a substantive shift in policy (that came in the NPPF 2024), but a new policy-based framework, divided into plan-making and decision-taking policies, and much […]
Finding a workable way forward when farm disputes escalate
Resolving disputes can be extremely challenging for family farms and other rural businesses. Decisions about succession, the future of a partnership or the value of land and property not only have financial implications, but can also impact on relationships between family members, neighbours and others who may have worked together for years. A disagreement over […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 17 August 2026
Farming & food Drought and climate change relief package for land managers Following the driest July on record in England (and Wales) and the third drought in five years, the government has announced an aid package to support land managers. It includes: The government also, rightly, stressed that land managers must also take steps themselves […]
Drought support for farmers in England and Wales
Drought conditions continue to take a serious toll on farmers and landowners across England and Wales, resulting in devastating wildfires, worryingly low spring-fed private water supplies, dwindling fodder supplies and crop failures. In response, the Governments of both countries have announced measures aimed at supporting farmers and landowners through these challenging conditions. Farmers in Wales […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 3 August 2026
Farming & food Early reports are of a very mixed harvest (England) Reports from a variety of sources are suggesting that: Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (England) Expressions of interest can now be submitted for agroforestry and woodland improvement agreements, as well as new single-focus agreements that cover scheduled monument management and species-rich grassland. Please contact your local farming team if you […]
Rights of way: Time to review Section 31 (6) deposits
Most landowners have some form of public right of way running across their farm or estate, providing walkers with the opportunity to explore and enjoy the countryside. The warm weather may have led to increased use of these routes, making this a useful time for landowners to take stock and check that paths are being used as intended. Walkers can unintentionally create alternative routes […]
Land Business Update | Week Commencing 20 July 2026
Farming & food Agricultural commodity prices expected to fall over the medium-term (global) The OECD and FAO produce an annual assessment of the ten-year prospects for global agricultural commodity and fish markets. It is always interesting as it provides a comprehensive assessment of how supply, demand and prices might change. The projections are based on […]
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 […]
