Farm Diversification

As a result of the Russian invasion of the Ukraine together with other pressures on farm inputs, farm fuel and fertiliser costs have risen by circa 30%. This shock, coupled with our exit from the European Union and the removal of farm subsidies has encouraged enterprising farm managers to think more laterally about their incomes. 

We were approached by the farm manager of a 450 hectare mixed agricultural enterprise in the Cotswolds to assess opportunities on the farm to diversify part of its extensive principal yard to commercial use.

We identified an opportunity to change the use of an agricultural building which was part way through construction to commercial purposes, alter its external appearance and internal divisions, and to provide for a new access and yard with turning areas, EV and disable parking which would be separate from existing agricultural operations.

The proposed use of the building was thrown open as wide as possible in order to attract tenants, and permission was granted by the Local Authority with little delay for a 400m2 mixed use commercial development comprising Classes E, B2 and B8.