Where to search for 2-6 acres of non-arable land (grade 5 or hilly) for a greenhouse and trees?

Hi you all!

I'm searching for small land, a few acres where I can build a greenhouse and plant a few trees, however, I can't really find it in low quantities of a few acres/hectares. It can be anywhere in England, maybe even in southern Scotland but I'm flustrated from searches.

In these quantities of small parcels, I've found the only land with 1-3 grade soil for 20K-3K/acre but it doesn't really give any sense to pay for a premium soil if on the top will be a greenhouse (which doesn't need the original soil at all) and trees. I would be totally fine with moors, rocky hills, and whatsoever, something reasonably prices because it doesn't require any soil quality or soil almost at all, machinery access, etc.

Any ideas will be welcome!

Thanks,
J. Vysvader

 

[J.V.]

P.s.: also in Wales, it would be fine.

 

[J.V.]

Not really to this forum but in general, it'd be quite interesting if I receive just 1 help/advice per 10-100 that I've helped. There're already people whom I'll quickly kick out, rocket to the moon because unreasonably "loudly think" what can get (for free) from it, and what I'll be doing with a private land... Yet none who made me anything easier.

Best regards

 

[Highland Mule]

Sorry, but the market rate for small areas is £20k/ac, irrespective of grade, as that’s what others are prepared to pay. If you want land for £1k/ac, you need to buy a good few hundred or thousand acres.

And you’re asking on a farming forum how to buy land to plant trees, when forestry is not exactly an easy bedfellow for most hill farmers.

 

[Spencer]

Small island getting smaller.. everyone wants a piece of it!

As stated 20k acre is where its at for small plots, know of 2 acres locally with horse shelter on and few trees advertised for 120k..

 

[J.V.]

Thanks for your answers. I don't see on the market small parcels at all, regardless of the price so I wanted to double-check with you if it's just my quick conclusion or market reality.

Yes, I saw it for 120K, 20K, and also 2.8K (50% per 3.5 acres), 3K is common: https://www.onthemarket.com/details/10404409/
It's in/behind the city with services/infrastructure such as grid, roads, and vastly arable land, not really like a rocky hill in inaccessible terrain on the end of the world which does have 1/10 of the average market price. The agent just didn't answer, maybe it was already sold out. The thing is that this was very rare to find in the quantity at all, regardless of the price.

I write you to find out if I can find on the market more agricultural or wildland because I find just small parcels of development land, not green.

And you’re asking on a farming forum how to buy land to plant trees, when forestry is not exactly an easy bedfellow for most hill farmers.

Not easy for wildlife or commercial farmers who wanna get out the wood to sell it out?
I'm from a small town and planted a lot of trees directly from seeds. I grow up 10 minutes of drive from fully forested mountains higher than any of British and 1/2 hour from the Austrian Alps. We don't agree on this. There's no hill around that isn't forested. However, it means that farmers don't lay (illegal?) fires like when burn heather.

Thanks for your responses.
Best regards

 

[George from SJM Planning]

Sorry I can't help with the land search but if you are planning a greenhouse then be aware of the planning implications.

 

[J.V.]

Sorry I can't help with the land search but if you are planning a greenhouse then be aware of the planning implications.

Yes, thanks. The development rules are very strict, so it's good to point them out. Yeah, that's the point, agricultural land isn't development land for houses, halls, etc. Fortunately, in the size of between 1-5 hectares (even easier for the size above 5 hectares), agricultural constructions such as a greenhouse and even some forms of industrial buildings are classified as permitted development (built on agricultural land if the size is under 10% of the entire size of the land, so it's not just development land just the size matters).

Thanks,
best regards.

 

[J.V.]

P.s.: I'd correct myself, these laws apply in the size above 1 acre, not 1 hectare.

 

[Highland Mule]

Thanks for your answers. I don't see on the market small parcels at all, regardless of the price so I wanted to double-check with you if it's just my quick conclusion or market reality.

Yes, I saw it for 120K, 20K, and also 2.8K (50% per 3.5 acres), 3K is common: https://www.onthemarket.com/details/10404409/
It's in/behind the city with services/infrastructure such as grid, roads, and vastly arable land, not really like a rocky hill in inaccessible terrain on the end of the world which does have 1/10 of the average market price. The agent just didn't answer, maybe it was already sold out. The thing is that this was very rare to find in the quantity at all, regardless of the price.

I write you to find out if I can find on the market more agricultural or wildland because I find just small parcels of development land, not green.


Not easy for wildlife or commercial farmers who wanna get out the wood to sell it out?
I'm from a small town and planted a lot of trees directly from seeds. I grow up 10 minutes of drive from fully forested mountains higher than any of British and 1/2 hour from the Austrian Alps. We don't agree on this. There's no hill around that isn't forested. However, it means that farmers don't lay (illegal?) fires like when burn heather.

Thanks for your responses.
Best regards

That’s written with the best of intent, I’m sure, but I have no idea what you’re trying to say (or indeed if it’s a question or response).

 

[J.V.]

Nope, thanks for your response. As I stated, I tried to inspect if there's a way to simplify/speed the search, if there's something that I overlooked or I really already went through all options. You answered me and I'd like to say "thanks" once again.

 

[George from SJM Planning]

Yes, thanks. The development rules are very strict, so it's good to point them out. Yeah, that's the point, agricultural land isn't development land for houses, halls, etc. Fortunately, in the size of between 1-5 hectares (even easier for the size above 5 hectares), agricultural constructions such as a greenhouse and even some forms of industrial buildings are classified as permitted development (built on agricultural land if the size is under 10% of the entire size of the land, so it's not just development land just the size matters).

Thanks,
best regards.

You still need Prior Approval from the Local Authority. No idea where the 10% comes from. It is not under Part 6 of the GPDO. Plus you need 5Ha minimum for Permitted Development new buildings. 1Ha only allows for extensions, and minor works. Under 5ha requires Full Planning Permission

 

[renewablejohn]

Yes, thanks. The development rules are very strict, so it's good to point them out. Yeah, that's the point, agricultural land isn't development land for houses, halls, etc. Fortunately, in the size of between 1-5 hectares (even easier for the size above 5 hectares), agricultural constructions such as a greenhouse and even some forms of industrial buildings are classified as permitted development (built on agricultural land if the size is under 10% of the entire size of the land, so it's not just development land just the size matters).

Thanks,
best regards.

Sorry to say but if you think this your in for a rude awakening. How do I know, been there got the T shirt. Even with 5ha it has been a running battle with the local authority. Had to go to appeal to get an agri building, Polytunnels put up as "temporary structures" but not allowed to put up glasshouses without full planning permission. That said your quite welcome to come and look at my place as I started out with similar ideas to yourself only prepared to pay the market rate for the land instead of peanuts. Have you thought of renting somewhere or even a joint venture.

 

[lim x]

Tbh, if you don't want to spend a lot, no farmer us going to sell as the legal fees and hassle of having a neighbour would not be worth it.

As regards land search, pick an area and Google land agents. I can think of a few off the top of my head in my area, (Midlands).