Farmers welcome scrapping of 'crazy planning policy'

Rural experts today welcomed the scrapping of a 'crazy policy' which made some Shropshire farmers pay out 40 per cent of a farm building's value if they changed its use and sold it.

The policy on agricultural occupancy conditions had been in place for several years after being introduced by South Shropshire District Council. It hit farmers if they changed a building on their land to non-agricultural use then sold it.

It meant that if farmers changed the use of a building to allow it to be used as a holiday home or in another non-agricultural way and then sold it they would only get 60 per cent of its value, with the remainder going to council coffers as a charge.

But the policy was scrapped this year by Shropshire Council as it looked to make life easier for farmers and raise extra funds.

Applicants now have to make a payment of up to £11,700 to lift the agricultural occupancy condition, with the money being spent on providing affordable housing in the county.

They also have to carry out a year-long marketing exercise to prove there is no demand for accommodation for farm workers in their local area.

The move was today welcomed by Shaun Jones, rural director with Halls' professional department in Shrewsbury.

He said: "The policy was so stringent that no-one would have wasted the time and money applying for an agricultural occupancy to be lifted. It was a crazy policy that was totally unattractive to property owners."

Oliver Cartwright, NFU Shropshire spokesman, said: "This is a positive move as it is important that farmers and rural businesses are allowed to make best use of redundant buildings. Any move to cut the burden of red tape, simplify the process and lower costs for Shropshire farmers is welcome."

Andy Mortimer, planning and corporate policy manager for Shropshire Council, said the previous policy had only been in place with the former South Shropshire District Council, with other local authorities in the county taking their own individual approaches.

"They were trying to maintain a stock of affordable housing in the rural area and people could only sell it for 60 per cent of its value. We have looked at it at the other way and said that policy was fraught with difficulties and open to misunderstanding. We have tried it as contributing to the pot of money for affordable housing," he said.

Mr Mortimer said the change was designed to bring in more money for the council, as well as helping farmers, and added that the new rule is applied to policy for the whole of Shropshire.

By Chris Burn