News & Articles

Compulsory Purchase Affecting Kent and Sussex Landowners

Many readers, including both tenant farmers and landowners, will have land affected by utility lines; whether water, sewage, gas, electricity or telecommunications. With utility companies constantly needing to maintain and […]

Charity Art Exhibition | Battle Office

On 11 December 2019 the Batcheller Monkhouse, Battle office hosted an art exhibition of internationally renowned local artists and photographers to raise money for a local, Sussex charity. The exhibition […]

Positive Planning Decisions Boosting Rural Businesses

Over 60% of farms in the UK have now diversified in some way, with diversification projects now accounting for 22% of income on farms. This is only likely to grow […]

The Future of Farming

The reality of no Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) income is sending shock waves through the farming community, despite the fact that this has been on the cards for years. This […]

Basic Payment Scheme 2019

The Rural Payment Agency on-line system is now open for business. Whilst the deadline for submission of 2019 claims is still some weeks away it is never too soon to […]

Certificate of Lawfulness

Our planning team were asked to review a farm which had a number of agricultural building including an AOC property. There was a section 52 agreement stating that none of […]

Planning Conditions – Changes in Legislation

New legislation comes in to force on 1st October 2018 which prevents Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) from imposing pre-commencement conditions to planning permissions without the written agreement of the applicant. […]

Garden Towns Prospectus

Garden Town Developments update – released 16/8/18 Following the introduction of regulations to allow Councils to establish garden town development corporations last month, the long awaited Garden Towns Prospectus has […]

Planning Applications

The primary method of securing planning permission requires the submission of a Planning Application to the Local Planning Authority. The level of work required to prepare an application varies dependent […]

Planning appraisals – what to consider

Our planning appraisals are well researched and prepared and comprise the following: Site visit to view both the site and understand its context Review of planning history Identification of existing […]

Planning Appraisals

Planning appraisals are an important stage in the delivery of a successful development scheme. A planning appraisal sets out the planning background to a site and identifies all opportunities and […]

Telecoms Code

Many farmers and landowners agree to electronic communications operators, such as mobile phone companies, installing aerials and other equipment on the roofs of their buildings or erecting masts on their […]

Lettings

With more and more legislation piling on to residential landlords and their agents, Batcheller Monkhouse Lettings is in the best position to help. That strength is particularly relevant at the […]

Residential and Farmland Markets remain strong

Brexit and the political climate at home continue to influence the farms and farmland market. Inevitably, this has spread uncertainty, although those wishing to purchase land more often than not […]

Environmental Impact Assessment and Agriculture

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is the assessment of the environmental consequences of a proposed development project. It ensures that the environmental effects of a project are taken into account […]

Housing Delivery

Over the years, much Government effort has gone into trying to speed up the planning process and make it more efficient with one aim in mind – building more homes. […]

Residential Development

With the Government seeking to build 300,000 new homes per year across the country, landowners and developers alike are looking to promote more sites for residential development. There is a […]

Diversification

Thinking of diversifying? DON’T. Or not at least until you have considered the simple principles of how to make it a success. The countryside is littered with examples of failed […]

Starting out in Farming

Now may seem a strange time to encourage new entrants into farming, but for many the opportunities are really starting to open out. Starting out in farming is difficult for […]

Brexit

Since the referendum result on 23 June 2016, farmers and growers have been wondering what Brexit means for their business. The question has still not been answered, although the picture […]

The Housing Crisis

The Housing Crisis in the UK looks likely to continue its dominance of headlines this year. The planning system is often blamed for delaying housebuilding which has contributed to spiralling […]

National Planning Policy Framework

A revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published for consultation on 5th March 2018 as part of a package of planning reform measures. Launched by the Prime Minister and […]

Garden Shed Conversion

Can you make an income from your garden shed? With the trend increasing for quirky holiday retreats have you considered the possibility of converting your outbuildings and entering the hospitality […]

Unwanted Garden Land

Releasing value from unwanted garden land can be a great way to generate funds to pay off your current mortgage or boost your pension pot. With greater life expectancy and […]