Farm & Land Agency Update
Bletsoes are pleased to have launched Home Farm, Catworth, Cambridgeshire on to the market for sale by private treaty. Catworth is located close to the Northamptonshire/Cambridgeshire borders, with excellent road links to the A14. As a whole Home Farm comprises a pasture farm with residential development and environmental opportunities, extending to approximately 144.89 acres (58.63 hectares) in total.
The property extends to a total of 143.34 acres (58.01 hectares) of pasture land and comprises a mixture of historic ridge and furrow as well as former arable land. The land is available as a whole or in up to 4 lots ranging from 7.14 acres (2.89 hectares) to 55.70 acres (22.54 hectares).
Planning Permission has been granted for the conversion of traditional agricultural buildings at Home Farm to two residential dwellings. Outline Planning has been granted for the erection of a single storey dwelling at The Camp. Both sets of buildings sit within large plots on the edge of the village. The Home Farm Buildings are available as Lot 1 and The Camp Buildings are available as Lot 3. Lots 1 & 3 adjoin agricultural land which is available within the sale of Home Farm, and this offers potential purchasers the opportunity to purchase a building plot with a large block of agricultural land – an opportunity which is rarely brought to the open market.
If you would like further details on Home Farm, Catworth please contact Grace Millbank or Chris Templar on 01832 732241 or grace.millbank@bletsoes.co.uk
Bletsoes’ Agricultural Team also hope to launch to the market a residential farm within Northamptonshire, and this property will be launched in early May. Should you wish to register to receive details of properties we are bringing to the market please contact Verity Garlick on 01832 732241 or verity.garlick@bletsoes.co.uk . In addition, there will be rental opportunities on commercial farmland arising in the coming months, predominantly around Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire. To be included on the register of interest for the rental opportunities please contact Rob Russell on 01832 732241 or rob.russell@bletsoes.co.uk
Environmental Scheme Update
As most will know the reduction of BPS payments has already begun, with a complete loss of BPS in 2027. Many farming businesses will be looking to offset this loss of income by other sources of revenue. The Sustainable Farming Incentive is one of three schemes under the New ELMS (Environmental Land Management Schemes). Due to Launch in June 2022, farmers and land managers will be able to submit applications. There is no set time frame for an application window, allowing farmers to apply when it suits them.
Agreements will last for 3 years, and those entering will need to have management control of the land entered into the agreement for the duration of those three years. Farmers can choose how much land they wish to enter into the agreement and annually throughout the agreement can increase the land or increase the standard they are prepared to commit to, in return for increased £/hectare. Reductions in size or dropping down a standard will not be permitted apart from in exceptional circumstances.
Confirmed for S.F.I. in 2022 are the soils standards aimed at improving soil health, structure, organic matter, and biology. Which will promote clean water, food production, and biodiversity. All contributing to a range of environmental and climate change outcomes. This is where the public money for public goods comes into play. The soil standards are split into three sections Arable, Grass, and Moorland.
Arable and Horticultural soils standards confirmed for 2022
Improved grassland soils standards confirmed for 2022
Under each standard there is a criteria to be met in order to achieve the goals. Payments will be made on a quarterly basis with the first payment three months after the agreed start date.
SFI can run alongside other existing schemes such as BPS and Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier, as long as you are not claiming/being paid for the same prescription. The soils standards will not initially include capital items, however, you will be able to apply for capital items under the Mid-Tier agreement on land parcels that are entered into the soils standards. As the schemes develop over the coming years more options will be added enabling schemes to be layered including multiple options under an agreement.
If you would like any assistance or information relating to environmental schemes, please do not hesitate in contacting a member of the Bletsoes’ Agricultural team on 01832 732241 or email Rob Russell, rob.russell@bletsoes.co.uk .
Upcoming Stewardship Deadlines
The deadline for submitting Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier Applications is 29th July 2022 and if you require support from a Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer, you must request support at least 10 weeks before you intend to submit your application to the RPA. As a result the latest date to request support of a CSFO is 20th May 2022. To do this you must submit a ‘CSFO Support Request Form’ by email to your local advisor. More information is available online at gov.uk or by contacting a member of our Agricultural Team.
