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  Matt Johnson October 5, 2014 at 4:39pm

  As far as I am aware that is still a possibility. Im sure i watched a a grand designs based program with old kevin mccloud and he mentioned that too.
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  David Cox October 5, 2014 at 7:57pm

  I'd love to build on my land but their are so many hoops that it is very difficult;

  a few questions would help;

  1) How many acres do you have? A minimum of 12 (5 hectars) is needed to get away with anything really, less and its treated as a FULL normal development applicaiton and if its greenbelt you cannt do it full stop.
  2) What is the land used for?
  3) Do you work the land for personal profit or rent it out?

  If you keep animals and work the land yourself you have a case to live on the land as a farmer, so can use permitted development rights to build a dwelling suitable for your self (typically as small as possible really) to live on site to tend to the welfare of your animals - If any houses exist nearby and are for sale you will not get it until they are off market - as your argument for needing to live near your can be met without development.

  You need a minimum of 12 acres to qualify for any of the above.

  You also need to show you derive an income from the land that is meaningful - IE if its a hobby its a no go.

  Furthermore if its Greenbelt they can still INSIST on a FULL planning application even if you meet the farmers permitted development exemptions.
  This includes a MOBILE home.

  You could live in a caravan on site for 28 days a year - which is an exemption to allow you to tend animals and work the land at say Harvest, or Lambing, which is an overhang from a less mechianical age - councils can require you to move the caravan after this period so again arward.

  Worth consulting a planning solicitor and a land agent who knows your local area - Their maybe local development plans which call for "xxx" houses to be built ina postcode which you could use to your advantage etc. And also a good Land agent will know every whichway of tripping planning up and getting what you want using the above.
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  Ed Fairman October 5, 2014 at 9:33pm

  Habitable buildings must be constructed to strict planning as well as building regulations. You may be able to have a non permanent building like a shed or mobile home for use while you are working at the premises (I assume that would be ag or horticultural) but for living there you have to apply via the usual local council routine.

  People are telling me it is becoming easier to have change of use granted on existing structures but would expect that to be on a case by case basis.
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  Jez Young October 5, 2014 at 10:33pm

  Hi Ashley, Planning portal is a useful resource.Jez http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/wps/portal/portalhome/unauthentica...
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  Ashley Meredith October 6, 2014 at 2:28pm

  Thanks for the info guys.
  
  The land is only 1 acre, as im a sole trader (gardener/landscaping) I was going to set up poly tunnels and grow plants/shrubs to be used in my border designs. Also planting willow trees to make fences etc.
  
  So you could say its for business use. We were also going to move all our poultry onto the land as we need more space.
  
  Regards,
  Ashley.
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  Ben Marshall October 6, 2014 at 6:19pm

  Hi Ashley,
  what is the land being used for in the past? if its been used for a business or part of a smallholding, it could possibly be classed as brownfield? as David mentioned in his excellent post,consulting a planning solicitor or land agent would be the best first step. good luck with your project anyway, hope it turns out well for you.
  
  Ashley Meredith said:

  Thanks for the info guys.
  
  The land is only 1 acre, as im a sole trader (gardener/landscaping) I was going to set up poly tunnels and grow plants/shrubs to be used in my border designs. Also planting willow trees to make fences etc.
  
  So you could say its for business use. We were also going to move all our poultry onto the land as we need more space.
  
  Regards,
  Ashley.
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  David Cox October 6, 2014 at 7:56pm

  1 acre of land -
  Sadly your in a bit of a quandry, as their is no way you could ever justify an agricultural or horticultural need to live on the land - Its simply too small to support a viable agricultural business of any sort - You may succeeed as say a nursery - but they are not seen as part of Agriculture, and you would need planning permission for a change of use from Agriculture to business / and again permission for the buildings.

  Ignoring the poultry as you anter a mine field of regulations if you try them for business, and again its unlikely you will make money from it;
  I would focus on it as a diversificaiton of your exisiting Horticultural business, and treat it as a 1 acre nursery site - once you have proven income coming from the land you will stand a chance of been able to Argue for some supporting structures;

  A quick read of any summary of the town and country planning rules will show that to Live on your land you will need to apply for full planning permission like someone building on any normal plot, whether greenbelt, urban, rural or otherwise - as you have no permitted development rights, exemptions etc, sadly, due to the very small size of the plot.

  I really would go see a solicitor on this - If you start growing things in Poly's and planting shelterbelts you could easily get planning on your back on an unauthorised change of use. Best to avoid that from the get off.
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  Thermo October 6, 2014 at 8:14pm

  easiest way is speak to your local planning department, as each department often interpret rules differently and have various local and county plans they adhere to as well. They are normally very approachable and will give a advice over the phone or you can normally make walk in appointments to see them
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  Ashley Meredith October 8, 2014 at 1:47pm

  Cool,

  Thanks for the help, looks like i'll need to go have a chat and see what we can do.
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  Peter October 8, 2014 at 4:25pm

  
  
  David Cox said:

  1 acre of land -
  Sadly your in a bit of a quandry, as their is no way you could ever justify an agricultural or horticultural need to live on the land - Its simply too small to support a viable agricultural business of any sort - You may succeeed as say a nursery - but they are not seen as part of Agriculture, and you would need planning permission for a change of use from Agriculture to business / and again permission for the buildings.

  Ignoring the poultry as you anter a mine field of regulations if you try them for business, and again its unlikely you will make money from it;
  I would focus on it as a diversificaiton of your exisiting Horticultural business, and treat it as a 1 acre nursery site - once you have proven income coming from the land you will stand a chance of been able to Argue for some supporting structures;

  A quick read of any summary of the town and country planning rules will show that to Live on your land you will need to apply for full planning permission like someone building on any normal plot, whether greenbelt, urban, rural or otherwise - as you have no permitted development rights, exemptions etc, sadly, due to the very small size of the plot.

  I really would go see a solicitor on this - If you start growing things in Poly's and planting shelterbelts you could easily get planning on your back on an unauthorised change of use. Best to avoid that from the get off.

  
  There's a smallholding down the road from me, only a few acres, they rear cattle and sheep for meat. They are running it as a small farm business and have a property on it, as far as I know they are living there full time.
  
  Not saying this is an option for you Ashley but I think there are loopholes. On the other hand I know someone else who bought land off a farmer to extend their garden and had a garage built on the land without planning permission. The local council found out and forced them to knock it down. Must have cost them thousands.