Would I be mad to buy a 5 acre field?

[BFG]

Firstly, Sorry if this is in the wrong place. I wasn't sure where else it fitted and I'll be growing veg if I do it! </tenuous link>

Feel free to move it somewhere else.

I'm considering buying a 5 acre field, which is a 10-15 minute walk from my house. There's access rights, though not sure of the exact details. No water that I can see, which might be a problem. I'd probably want to build a big pond and use that as a water reserve.

I'm not a farmer by any means and would have no intention of farming it. I want to make a forest garden/wildlife reserve/private wood for leisure, as well as produce some food/firewood for personal use.

Would that be a problem re change of use etc? I've no intention of living there, or building anything on it. Being able to pitch a tent on it every now and then and have a camp fire would be good though!

Am I living in cloud cuckoo land? Would I be able to manage it okay on my own? I'm working on the principle that land here naturally wants to be woodland and apart from planting the species I want and keeping them clear of competition until they establish, I'm hoping to stand back and let nature do it's thing.

What do you think? Would you do it? Am I crazy?

[quark1]

Just be SURE of what you're thinking of buying.

If I think you're saying you want to preserve a little piece of England for future generations and perhaps grow upon it - good luck to you.

Would that I wish a similar piece of land be available here at an affordable price!

[simmo 66]

Why not rent out small peices of it to freinds who are also interested in growing veg..??

[BFG]

Thanks. I'm a bit impulsive by nature, so posted here to try and get a bit of informed opinion and reason, before I do something stupid.

I plan to make a retreat for me (and one day my kids/grand kids hopefully) to be semi self sufficient from, as well as just enjoy being in.

I'm far from rich by the why and would effectively be borrowing the money (withdrawing repayments I've already made on my mortgage). But I'd plan to then pay it off again asap.

[BFG]

I'm not sure it'd be brill for veg. Don't you need water for that? It's a good idea though. Basically anything that'd help cover it's cost would be good.

[Edwardo82]

Well that sounds like a lovely project BFG. Why the hell not....hey!

Look into things like what the water table is like around there and take some samples of the soil and thoroughly check the place over. Like simmo 66 says you could begin by renting out 2 acres to people who want to grow Veg etc. Just make sure they are aware of your future plans and perhaps look into the best design to allow you to carry on renting it out and also have the privacy on your own side of the land for you and your family.

With regards to the water issue it might be wise to invest in one of those under ground water harvester tanks. Perhaps this could be fed from sheds and greenhouses who knows I have never really looked into it but I am aware of them. I would say primarily you should look into the water issue and soil conditions. Do a lot of research into irrigation systems and how they could be implemented on this piece of land.

Also have a look around the net and see if there are any useful eco friendly websites that could advise you on how to go about it.

On the fire wood issue I know that Willow is a winner, as it grows very quickly and it has other uses.

Most importantly draw up a budget for what you think you would need first of all i.e. water source.

Those are just my thoughts it's something I would love to do when I am older maybe abroad on an old run down French Farmhouse with a few acres.

Good luck and take it slowly

[solway cropper]

I don't know what the planners are like where you are but they can be a bit stroppy and see everything in terms of non-permitted development. A friend of mine bought a field for a her horse and also kept a few ducks/hens. She then towed an old caravan on to the field just so she could make a brew and was immediately told to remove as the field did not have permission for residential development and someone might live in the caravan!!

[Alice]

I suppose it all depends on the price BFG and what you could get off it.
5 acres is a big skelp of ground and would have lots of potential.
On the firewood side Eucalyptus grows very quickly and burns well.
There's a lot you could with it just for pleasure.
I think I'm back to the price and is the cost realistic for you.

[BFG]

Thanks. The village actually has 2 allotments sites already, so not sure how much demand there'd be, but could work well if there was the demand.

The pond was my 1st thought for storing water (kills 2 birds with one stone). Am I being too optimistic thinking if I JCBed a big hole in the clay soil it either meet the water table, or be filled by rain during winter?

I'm not sure sheds and the like would be allowed. It's a field in the middle of the countryside (though only 5 minute walk from one of the allotment sites that is also surrounded by fields). I'd need to see what I'd be allowed to do with it.

Long term, I envisage it mostly being light woodland, with a few large trees, plenty of glades, a large meadow and a big pond. I wouldn't plan on watering anything once it's established anyway, so probably wouldn't bother with water tanks and irrigation etc.

I'm in to permaculture and self sufficiency and have spent far too many hours reading about all the various useful/edible plants, so I've got already got a fair idea of what I'd like to plant. I'd be like a kid in a sweetshop!

My main worry is that I'm underestimating the task at hand and will come unstuck and the woodland won't be greener on the other side of the fence. Do my plans sound reasonable/achievable? I'd be happy spending a day a week doing whatever needs doing at the time.

[BFG]

The cost is realistic to me. I'm 100% serious about this and will be offering this week (Maybe in the morning) if I don't get talked out of it/brought to my senses.

Compared to land attached to houses or with planning permission, arable land isn't really that expensive. It's obviously serious money, but less than some people might spend on a new conservatory or kitchen and bathroom. Or even a a few years foriegn holidays.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Land is an investment - the worst that can happen (assuming that you have the funds) is that you will have to sell it again at some point in the future, one would imagine that this would be at a reasonable profit.

[zazen999]

You wouldn't be mad - I think as with all land you'd be mad to do so without some research into the land in question. But then again, I was a soils engineer for 14 years so I'm a bit cautious as I've seen many bad things in the soil and much land that has been left undeveloped for a good reason.

[Alice]

Souds like you've made up your mind BFG. Hope your offer gets accepted and you have many happy years in your woodland.

[BFG]

Thanks Hazel. That was in my thinking. Once the global economy picks up and the next inevitable energy/food crisis hits, I expect land prices to go up again. There's already a global land grab/battle going on with the money rich, land poor countries buying whatever land they can get.

Though having said that, I'd have no intention of ever selling unless I was forced into it. It is a good bit of reassurance though.

[Alan Farmer]

REf Hazel above, it must be a good long term investment. I am actually an Independent Financial Advisor and keen veg grower, and what you are proposing is a lifelong dream of mine, But of course I couldnt possibly commenton the viability!! I would want to be as self sufficient in developing the plotas possible, taking account of the time scales, budget etc. Whether you should borrow to buy, is debatable, but rates are low currently, but what will happen when the marlkets pick up and rates rise, as surely they will within 12 months at least. One of my best friend's sons has a small holding in the Midlands and its all about lifestyle and personal choice.