Small land shed and other questions

[joe522]

Hi,

I am completely new to farming but want to buy a small parcel of land (1-4 acre) close to my home for some horticultural activity 1) mainly for fun and getting a taster in farming 2) as a side income if things work out. I want to grow some trees I have some garden experience with (including propagation in hundreds and hobby sale).

My questions:
1 Am I right that for these kind of horticultural activity the best is to buy arable land which was visibly cultivated in the last few years so its surely not a permanent pasture then I can just plugh it up etc and start my plan?

2 I would probably need at least a tiny shed (4x5m or similar) to store probably a compact tractor and some tools there. How much issue planning can be for this shed depending on size and considering planned use?

3 for any planning or anything in general do I have to have any commercial activity happening and if yes, what counts as a commercial activity
a can I own the land and tools in my name as an average person and treat it as my hobby garden until I get to the phase I can sell trees and still get planning for shed etc (will take a few years at least to have income), or do I have a responsibility to commercially cultivate agricultural land
b or should I own the land in my name and have my LTD renting the land from me and LTD owning all tools etc What is the most common setup for farmers?
c does it matter for planning, BPS or for anything legally if I am a hobbyist or a soletrader/LTD
d does it matter for planning, BPS or for anything legally that I wont actually have any income for years

4 I actually would only need 1 acre land, but chances are tiny I find this small land, I guess the best is to cultivate something else on the rest to avoid permanent pasture classification, or at least plough it? Or just spread some grass seeds etc and plough it once in 3-4 years to be on the safe side?

5 If I buy a part of a big single parcel (sometimes they have a big parcel and I can have 2-3 or any acre from it) am I allowed to put in a border hedge/fence in the middle of the parcel to separate mine from the rest or can there be issues with planning etc. I guess I can do whatever I want on my parcel, but thought its better doublechecking it.

Thanks for the answers

 

[joe522]

For point 2 - I am aware of the 5ha rule - thats why I ask what chances of a full planning permission has for a small shed.

 

[Kidds]

Yes you will need full planning but if you can demonstrate a genuine need you should be OK. Will still be the usual faff and cost of planning though.
Not 100% sure on the permanent pasture bit, most land will have been fertilised though so not PP in my understanding.
Choose your land for the quality and type of soil plus aspect and location. ie faces South, free draining and good road access.
Avoid any where you have to drive over someone else's property in order to get to it.
Don't buy anywhere with a public footpath through it.
Once it is yours you can plant a forest on it if you choose to nevermind a hedge. Don't rush into planting hedges though as they will be in the wrong place.
None of the BPS, LTD, Sole trader, profit matters.
Good luck.

 

[suffolksmallholder]

I just bough an ex barley field and went from there. 5 acres will never get you into ‘farming’ as such bit if you get as much enjoyment out of your plot as I have done then all’s well
You & @SoilHugger may enjoy corresponding
SS

 

[joe522]

None of the BPS, LTD, Sole trader, profit matters.

@George from SJM Planning wrote it in one of @SoilHugger 's thread that:

"the unlawful use of agricultural land for personal enjoyment' - even the growing of veggies is unlaful unless part of a commercial venture"

If everything is in my name as a private person and there is no income for years, no LTD/sole trading does that cause problems? I have a plan and I wouldnt start this if I wouldn't hope to see money in the end, but how do I prove commercial nature before selling my first tree which is gonna be years.

What happens when a new wannabe farmer like me buys land, wants to do something with it, but then plans change or it goes south and doesnt see a penny from it and the land stays without cultivation for years, isn't that breaking the law of that agricultural land needs to be a part of a commercial venture.

Is that enough if I visibly have something going on like a thousand of ornamental trees planted in rows or what I need to do to qualify for "part of the commercial venture" if LTD/being a sole trader/profit etc doesnt matter.

 

[Kidds]

If proof of financial gain was a requirement there would be a great many farmers in mither.

 

[joe522]

I just bough an ex barley field and went from there. 5 acres will never get you into ‘farming’ as such bit if you get as much enjoyment out of your plot as I have done then all’s well
You & @SoilHugger may enjoy corresponding
SS

I dont want to get into "proper" farming, I don't have time or money for that, I want a low risk, low effort, low income side gig and hopefully enjoying it as well

 

[joe522]

Not 100% sure on the permanent pasture bit, most land will have been fertilised though so not PP in my understanding.

If I see a pasture and they have records (whatever it means) of using fertiliser on it, this can be ploughed up as well? What kind of records do I need to ask for?