The Farmer's Planning Podcast

We talk honestly about what it’s like raising children on farms now, and why it feels less free than it did when we were growing up. We weigh up harvest pressure, social media comparison, and the real economics pushing farms towards diversification and away from pure food production.  • more rules and tighter safety expectations shaping farm childhood  • memories of harvest as a social family seas...

The fastest way to waste money on farm planning permission is to chase a single idea without a strategy. We’re joined by Morwenna, our farm planning consultant and CAD designer at Foxes Rural, to unpack what “thinking strategically” actually looks like when you’re trying to develop a farm, protect the core agricultural business, and build new income streams under real-world rural planning policy....

The hardest part of farm planning permission is rarely the drawings, the policy, or the application. It is the people sitting around the kitchen table. In this episode we sit down as a husband-and-wife team running a farm business together and talk candidly about what actually happens when your colleague is also your partner. The shared days and shared wins are obvious. The friction is just as rea...

Planning permission can feel like a moving target, and the rules around appeals have just shifted in a way that catches people out. From our new recording setup, I’m joined by our Planning Director, Mel, to translate the latest farm planning changes into plain, practical steps you can use before you spend money or lose months to delay. If you’ve ever thought, “We’ll submit now and tidy it up later...

In this episode of the Farmers Planning Podcast, we’re diving into some of our latest and most interesting projects across East Anglia. Join Guy, Mel, and Katie as we discuss: The rise of viticulture and how farmers are diversifying into vines, orchards, and specialist buildings. A tricky permitted development case refused on landscape grounds – and how we turned it around. The benefits of pre-app...

Summer presents perfect timing for farm planning applications with higher approval rates during July-August when planning officers are in better moods. • Farm storage planning is critical before harvest, with different crops requiring specific storage requirements • Commercial buildings on farms can utilize permitted development rights for extensions similar to retail parks • Recent projects inclu...

What happens when farming meets the complex world of modern planning regulations? At the half-year mark, we're exploring the evolving landscape of agricultural planning applications across Essex, Suffolk, Cambridge, and Kent. The introduction of new inheritance tax rules has significantly impacted how farming families approach their business structures. We're witnessing an increase in st...

Unlock the potential lying dormant in your farm! We're your hosts, Guy and Mel from Foxes Rural, and in the latest instalment of the Farmers Planning Podcast, we're thrilled to spill the beans on the transformative legislative changes impacting agricultural planning. Imagine expanding your operations and diversifying like never before—all thanks to the recent shake-up in permitted develo...

Get ready to navigate the maze of farm building permissions with experts Guy and Mal from Foxes Rural, who join us to share their wealth of experience. Discover how to unlock the potential of permitted development rights, allowing for up to 1000 square meters of new buildings every two years, and learn the savvy strategies to construct multiple edifices within this period, even across different la...

Join Guy French and Melanie Bingham Wallis from Foxes Rural Ltd as they delve into the intricacies of securing mineral extraction rights on your farm. In this in-depth conversation, explore the strategic steps and valuable insights that will guide you through the process of obtaining permission for mineral extraction. Uncover the potential beneath your soil and gain a comprehensive understanding o...

Join Guy French and Melanie Bingham Wallis from Foxes Rural Ltd as they demystify the art of leveraging your permitted development rights to secure permission for hardstanding areas on your farm. In this insightful discussion, you'll gain a thorough understanding of the strategic approach to maximizing your land usage. Discover the nuances of navigating the permissions process for hardstandin...

Tune in to our latest podcast episode featuring Guy French and Melanie Bingham Wallis from Foxes Rural Ltd! 🎙️🚜 They'll walk you through the process of securing planning permission for new commercial buildings on your farm and share insights on diversifying your income. 🌾💼 Ready to unlock new possibilities for your farm? Don't miss this informative discussion! Listen now 🌐👂 #FoxesRu...

Embark on a journey with Guy French and Melanie Bingham Wallis from Foxes Rural as they explore the myriad planning opportunities associated with farm tracks. In this engaging discussion, gain valuable insights into optimizing the planning potential of farm tracks. Delve into the strategic considerations and regulatory aspects that can enhance the functionality and overall utility of your farm inf...

Welcome to Episode 9 of The Farmer's Planning Podcast, hosted by Guy French from Foxes Rural! 🎙️🚜 In this insightful episode, Guy delves into the crucial aspects of compliance for agricultural buildings, outlining the necessary steps to ensure eligibility for Class R. Discover the key considerations and compliance requirements that play a pivotal role in the planning process for agricultural...

Welcome to Episode 8 of The Farmer's Planning Podcast, where your host Guy French from Foxes Rural unravels the mysteries surrounding road classification and its implications on your planning opportunities. 🎙️🚜 In this enlightening episode, Guy takes you on a journey to understand the significance of road classification and how it can impact your agricultural planning endeavors. Delve into t...

Welcome to Episode 7 of The Farmer's Planning Podcast, where our host Guy French from Foxes Rural takes centre stage! 🎙️🚜 In this episode, we dive into the intricate requirements essential for securing planning permission for a new commercial building on your farm. Join us as Guy breaks down the crucial elements and steps necessary to navigate the planning process successfully. Whether you&a...

Welcome to Episode 6 of The Farmer's Planning Podcast, featuring our knowledgeable host, Guy French from Foxes Rural! 🎙️🚜 In this insightful episode, we delve into the world of Class Q, a fascinating avenue where buildings undergo a transformative journey from agricultural to residential use, all within the realm of permitted development rights. Join Guy as he unravels the nuances of Class Q...

Welcome to Episode 5 of Consultant's View on The Farmer's Planning Podcast! 🎙️ In this episode, we have an engaging conversation with Paul Clarke, the Managing Director of Heritage Unlimited. As a trusted heritage consultancy practice that collaborates with Foxes Rural, Heritage Unlimited specializes in navigating the complexities of listed buildings and conservation areas within the rea...

Welcome to Episode 4 of "Planning on the Farm" on The Farmer's Planning Podcast! 🎙️ In this captivating episode, we sit down with Jim McNair, a dedicated farmer near Manningtree in Essex. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation – it's packed with valuable content and an incredibly informative interview! Jim generously shares his first-hand experiences navigating the...

In this episode, we present a brief preview introducing some of the upcoming guests who will be featured on 'The Farmer's Planning Podcast.' Get a sneak peek into the diverse range of insightful discussions and expert insights that await you. Stay tuned and catch the full episodes as we delve into the exciting world of farm planning with our line up of engaging guests! 🎙️🚜 #Farmers...

In Episode 2 of our podcast, I'm delighted to welcome our inaugural guest, Michael Sharp, a dedicated farmer from Pebmarsh in North Essex. Join us as Michael shares a decade's worth of planning experiences on his farm, providing valuable insights and tips gleaned from his journey. Delve into Michael's firsthand accounts of navigating the planning process, as he walks us through the...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Farmer's Planning Podcast, where your host Guy French, a leading expert from Foxes Rural, kicks off our series dedicated to permitted development and planning permission for farmers. 🎙️🚜 In this first episode, Guy sets the stage by introducing the fundamental principles crucial for farmers applying for 28-day notices of agricultural buildings on their...