Does anyone have 1-2 acres to rent in / around Durham?

[SnooziSuzi]

Hello all,

I know it's tough finding land to rent, so I thought I'd ask the people directly that might be able to help.

I'm looking for an acre or two to start a market garden and apiary in Durham, but finding the land is difficult becuase nobody is advertising.

Does anyone have, or know of, land that would be suitable please?

Happy Friday!
Su

 

[farmerm]

Nobody is advertising as that kind of ground is probably as rare as unicorn horn... Not all soils are equal, you want some nice loamy ground for successful market gardening, you don't want some heavy clay that bakes like brick or sand that can hold very little water or nutrients. I would think you need to look to find something where the land is or has been used for a market garden. The risk for land owners in certain circumstances is that land let for a such a purpose may loose some of the inheritance tax reliefs that apply to land that held as farmland. Owners may not wish to put a significant tax burden on the probate value of their estate for what may be in comparison a fairly modest rental income. The right land is out there but finding it will be a challenge.

 

[SnooziSuzi]

@farmerm thank you for that.

Regarding the soil, this wouldn't be such an issue for me becuase I'd be improving the soil as I went along, but I didn't know about the tax issues that you mention.

From what you're saying it does seem like buying a plot is the only way forward but that's just out of my reach right now
Or to try to get some publicly owned land or land that isn't subject to those restrictions (e.g. council land or land owned by a business which wouldn't be liable for inheritance taxes).... I'll keep plugging on

 

[farmerm]

@SnooziSuzi
Some soils take far less improving than others.. I do think you will find something suitable to rent, it will just need some searching and a little bit of luck. Presumably the closer to your home the better, a local look on Google Earth might show you some neglected but potentially workable sites local to you, it is then just a question of finding out who owns them and asking the question. Expect most enquires to be met with a firm no, but it would just be a question of finding the right person on the right day...

 

[SnooziSuzi]

Google Earth! what a good suggestion, thanks!

Maybe what we need is a Location, Location, Location team for land - they always seem to know who to ask for the little gems!

 

[delilah]

Find your local CSA scheme, they may be able to accommodate you.

www.communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk

 

[SnooziSuzi]

Find your local CSA scheme, they may be able to accommodate you.

www.communitysupportedagriculture.org.uk

That's fantastic! Thank you.

I know we have a couple of community market gardens near to me (well, within a 30 mile radius, anyway) but I hadn't thought of taking this route!

Thank you, @delilah

 

[delilah]

also

www.farmgarden.org.uk

 

[Al R]

That's fantastic! Thank you.

I know we have a couple of community market gardens near to me (well, within a 30 mile radius, anyway) but I hadn't thought of taking this route!

Thank you, @delilah

What experience do you have Suzi?

Not to be a Debbie downer or a negative nancy but some of the biggest messes i’ve seen In my life with land permanently ruined has been from people who have no or little knowledge but think it’s easy etc, most can’t manage much more than a 20m x 20m garden let alone field scale.

There is a small holding 10 mile from me, 5acre and there is 8/9 full time employed (how much each person actually does between ganja breaks I’m not sure)

 

[curlietailz]

When you say Durham are you talking Durham city or Durham county ?

I’d ask a couple of Land Agents they may know
Youngs RPS, George FWhite , Gowan Holmes for example ( others are available!)

Will need change of use for market garden ???

Hello all,

I know it's tough finding land to rent, so I thought I'd ask the people directly that might be able to help.

I'm looking for an acre or two to start a market garden and apiary in Durham, but finding the land is difficult becuase nobody is advertising.

Does anyone have, or know of, land that would be suitable please?

Happy Friday!
Su

 

[Rowland]

Try the council they have land to rent

 

[SnooziSuzi]

Hello everyone,

Really sorry for not replying: I didn't get any notifications, which is odd.

Anyhow: @ai-r I don't have experience of running anything of the scale I want to, but am a very successful (don't laugh!) allotment holder who wants to expand.

@curlietailz Durham County. I live in Durham City just now but I don't want to restrict myself to just there. Yes, I've checked out all of their sites, but unfortunately people just aren't renting out their land, it's sale or nowt!

@Rowland Tried them as well. No Luck

As it turns out I've had more thoughts on how I can achieve my dream and to help make it a reality for so many other people too.... I'll let you all know more if/when it becomes a reality