Jeremy Clarkson Sunday Times Magazine "Farming" 23/1/2022

[bluebell]

then a few years done the line these redundant? farm buildings, get permission to be converted into homes? happening all round here?

 

[Ffermer Bach]

Personally I think it's wrong to game the system, but equally it is a stupid system that makes everyone have to play such stupid games to get things. I think our planning system needs looking at, but not sure what the answer is, as too many people in a small place, with good agricultural land being built over and losing habitat too to the likes of HS2 as well.

 

[MrNoo]

Good luck to him I say, am amazed he's actually had a planning verdict, I've had a planning app in for a grain shed for neigh on 12 months and still not heard back yet, shame the shed price has risen nearly 45% in that time!
Yet on the other hand I had a complaint about a stone waller loading cotswold stone into his van @ 8am in the morning in my yard, I have a council bod coming round next week, less than two weeks and the clipboard arrives.
In the old days they (villagers) would just have a word with you but these days the NIMBY'S just report you, first to the Parish Council, made up of said NIMBY'S but with lots of free/spare time and they then in turn bleat to the District Council.
Yet you talk about farmers moaning, you try running a business in some of these Cotswold Villages, almost impossible

 

[Frodo]

I’d like to know what drives him. Farm shops are hard work, and not exactly the most lucrative pass time.

 

[primmiemoo]

I’d like to know what drives him. Farm shops are hard work, and not exactly the most lucrative pass time.

Ego. Pure ego that quickly regresses to toddler tantrums.

 

[Lakesdigger]

Personally I think it's wrong to game the system, but equally it is a stupid system that makes everyone have to play such stupid games to get things. I think our planning system needs looking at, but not sure what the answer is, as too many people in a small place, with good agricultural land being built over and losing habitat too to the likes of HS2 as well.

I'm not saying it's right either but the system is so open to pi** taking your almost stupid for not playing it and for following the rules. The reality is planning depts don't have the financial clout to dare trying to enforce the rules. All you need is for them to think you've got more coin to put into a fight than they have and you can just about please yourself.

 

[Bald Rick]

I’d like to know what drives him. Farm shops are hard work, and not exactly the most lucrative pass time.

He "gave" it to his girlfriend, Liza.
Busy enough to employ 36 (or it could be 38) people including the online servicers

I suspect a high percentage is caps, T shirts etc but IIRC, was taking about 40k a week

 

[Frodo]

He "gave" it to his girlfriend, Liza.
Busy enough to employ 36 (or it could be 38) people including the online servicers

I suspect a high percentage is caps, T shirts etc but IIRC, was taking about 40k a week

I realise all his figures are a bit fictional, but your post slightly highlights how hard work it is. Manging 36 people is not for the faint hearted and if they are only turning over £1000 each a week its hardly a get rich quick scheme.

 

[thesilentone]

The Councillors are frightened to death of social media.

Just do what the Gypsy's do, built it, then spend the next 10 years fighting the Council and win.

 

[Two Tone]

Jeremy has done a lot for our industry, but IMO didn’t do himself or us any favours on his Sunday Times article of 23/1/22.
You will always get those with a “politics of envy” agenda. However, he mentioned that the Government has told farmers that they need to diversify to survive, which can’t be right! Even if you are that man who’s on the Telly!
His diversification would not be necessary if he were to know how to farm his farm properly.
It has gone beyond a joke and his own tomfoolery isn’t doing us any favours any more.
No doubt about the fact that he is upsetting a lot of locals in what he is doing.

A far truer, well known, also local-to-us-here, champion for our industry is Harry Metcalfe, as in Harry’s Farm.
He may also be known for his knowledge on cars, probably far more knowledgeable in fact, but he tells his story about farming as is. Those not from our industry know they get a far better and truer picture of what the real challenges of farming are.

 

[Bald Rick]

I realise all his figures are a bit fictional, but your post slightly highlights how hard work it is. Manging 36 people is not for the faint hearted and if they are only turning over £1000 each a week its hardly a get rich quick scheme.

Would think there's a decent margin in that tbh. Lot of the staff are likely youngsters packing off toot such as caps, pens, etc on a considerable mark up. Be easily on a 50pc margin on that stuff

 

[Cheesehead]

It's a re-run of a scenario you will find countless times if you look for it.

Rich guy moves into a place, proceeds to spend millions on the place, with the associated grief construction, plant and traffic always cause. Rich man train set, I want so I should get. Seen it a load of times in Somerset. Planners agree to a few hair brained schemes but eventually they get fed up and fudge their plans by saying no.

There is a place for rich in comers who think they can do what they like. It's called London, a place where they will forever be surrounded by their own fudging kind.

You obviously don't have a certain developer like we have here in Kent I think I've seen him told no and also be told no on appeal and that was due to the site of the homes being underwater.

Others had been told no in one spot but he pushed ahead got permission then sold it on now residents complaining about the smell from the sewage treatment plant hence why it was refused before due to the proximity