Would I be mad to buy a 5 acre field?

[bobleponge]

If its a dream, as one advertising slogan has it:

JUST DO IT!!!

If its fiscally viable then do it, and worry about the consequences afterwards.

Probably not overly sound advice, but I am living my dream, and dont regret a single second. DO IT!!


(Er, if it all goes hideously wrong please dont come looking for me with "The Boys")

[Two_Sheds]

I haven't time to read any of the above posts, but what a great opportunity for you.

If you don't use it all yourself, you can set up some private allotments perhaps? (Register it with Landshare?)

[Snadger]

I haven't time to read any of the above posts, but what a great opportunity for you.

If you don't use it all yourself, you can set up some private allotments perhaps? (Register it with Landshare?)

I think it's already ben mentioned that there are ALREADY plenty of unused allotments in the area TS!

[Hilary B]

No roads.

Here's what it says about the rights of way etc:-

"Wayleaves, easements and rights of way The property is being sold
subject to and with the benefit of all rights including; rights of way,
whether public or private, light, sport, drainage, water and electricity
supplies and other rights and obligations, easements and quasieasements
and restrictive covenants and all existing and proposed
wayleaves for masts, pylons, stays, cables, drains, water and gas
and other pipes whether referred to in these particulars or not.

VAT Any guide prices quoted or discussed are exclusive of VAT.
In the event that a sale of the property or any lot or part of the
property or entitlements become a chargeable supply for the
purposes of VAT, such tax will be payable (or become payable by
the purchaser) in addition to the purchase price."


Anybody care to translate? Is that just standard, all bases covered spiel or does it actually mean something about this plot?

I'd forgotten about the VAT thing. That'd be a pain! What the hell is a chargeable supply for the purposes of VAT? Do I have to pay it? (I suspect I'm going to be disappointed).

I've update that quote. Thanks.

Estate agents tend to put such stuff on property details. It usually means that there are SOME restrictions etc, and your solicitor should be able to find out what they are (this may or may not be important, for instance the proximity of the reservoir may lead to restrictions). I would recommend asking to see the detailed information about such things, and if you can't understand it, get a solicitor to translate! It is probable that there won't be a problem, but there may turn out to be a right of access by (for instance) the nearest electricity supply company to do maintenance on polces or wires, or by the Water Authority to take care of pipes, and that sort of thing may make some of your plans impractical.

There shouldn't be VAT on a field with no 'services'.

[pipscariad]

Just caught up with this post - potentially very exciting, I for one don't think you're mad at all, it's just the sort of thing OH & I would consider too. I'm impressed by all the useful advice folk have given you, plenty to think about and consider - makes you realise the value of sharing something like this with the rest of the Vine. It's all too easy to not see other sides to things yourself, esp when something fires you up with enthusiasm!

Good luck with whatever you decide, and keep us up to date with what happens - oh, and don't forget the pictures!

[Scottishnewbie]

we bought 6 acres a couple of years ago and TOTALLY underestimated the amount of work and time associated with it all! Not that I'd change a thing but wish I'd realised that it is EVERY day that's needed to keep it all going.

If I were you, I'd offer a few of the acres as horse grazing as there are always people looking for it. It would also serve the purpose of keeping your grass down and give you manure for your growing endeavours.

Make sure you figure in the cost of a quad bike...everyone said it was just a waste of money.....now it's in use pretty much every single day!

Like everyone else - keep us posted!

[rob the roller]

Take legal advice from a local solicitor, ideally one with experience of dealing in agricultural land and rural affairs, before making any sort of commitment. There will be a charge for this (get an estimate in advance) but it could save uncountable expense and frustration if you find yourself committed to a dream that cannot be fulfilled. You will need someone to do the conveyancing in any event if the land is to be transferred into your name.

Like everyone else, I am very envious and wish that a similar opportunity was available in my neck of the woods. I hope you find a way of taking this forward.

Referring to the pond, Johnny Kingdom did something similar after he acquired a tract of land in the West country, you might be able to obtain a copy of the relevant TV episodes via the internet.

Best of luck

[Snadger]

we bought 6 acres a couple of years ago and TOTALLY underestimated the amount of work and time associated with it all! Not that I'd change a thing but wish I'd realised that it is EVERY day that's needed to keep it all going.

If I were you, I'd offer a few of the acres as horse grazing as there are always people looking for it. It would also serve the purpose of keeping your grass down and give you manure for your growing endeavours.

Make sure you figure in the cost of a quad bike...everyone said it was just a waste of money.....now it's in use pretty much every single day!

Like everyone else - keep us posted!

Come on then Scottishnewbie......you can't get a way that easy......we need some piccies!

[HayleyB]

Regarding a pond on agricultural land you may well need planning permission.

Ponds are small things that go in gardens which is generally the curtilage of a house. Arable land is agriculturally classified and anything involving the movement of the land or development which a pond (lake) is, then planning would be required.

Renting grazing is fine as horses can legally graze on agricultural land BUT stables would need planning and change of use (COU) on the area the stables are intended. The COU is necessary as there is a quirk in planning that says that although horses can graze agri land the taking of feed to those horses is non-agricultural and stables generally mean food that is not grazed........ although by throwing hay at our nags in a field technically we are breaking planning rules

[SarzWix]

The reason nearly a thousand trees have been planted (in total) is because out of the first planting, lots didn't make it, so a second wave was planted, which then didn't all make it, and now, after the third lot of planting, it has about the right number for the land to support including the more shrubby/hedging types of plants.

[Hilary B]

Grazing may be a problem with proximity to the reservoir......
Get the info about the rights, easements, etc before being totally committed to the whole thing.
A solicitor should be able to get that information from Land Registry (and translate it into something you can understand).
Get a solicitor onto it, and make sure he/she knows what you want to do with the land.

[vicky]

My mum bought 5 acres 7 (ish?) years ago and loves it. She lets the local farmer cut the grass once a year for hay, he keeps the hay. But she keeps a path clear around the edge all year with a sit on lawnmower.
She also planted an orchard which is just starting to produce.
I planted a hedge around the field (a native mix specified precisely by the council), I don't think a single one of the plants died!
The field has just this year been changed from agricultural to domestic (? not sure what you'd call it!)
Good luck, it sounds fab!

[NOG]

There shouldn't be VAT on a field with no 'services'.

If the seller is VAT registered...they can charge you the VAT then they hold on to it for 3 mnths before they pay it o to the HMRC.

[BFG]

Thanks all for the input. It's been very useful.

I haven't done anything yet. Sounds like I need to get a solicitor on the case and see what's what.

[BFG]

They could charge me VAT because they're registered? I don't really understand, but could be painful.

Changing from agricultural to domestic? Does that mean a house or something else? That sounds interesting.

Building a (discrete) off grid house in the countryside at some point in the future would be a dream come true, but I know that's extremely unlikely.