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18 Aspects of Land Spring / Summer 2019
DIVERSIFICATION
selling, marketing, even the design
ourselves.” The product is now sold in
large supermarkets and health food stores
as well as independent retailers.
For many farmers, however,
diversification is primarily about adding
an income stream that can be managed
without too much distraction from the
core business.
When David Williamson-Jones and
his brother inherited the family chicken
farm in Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset, and the
existing tenant handed back the tenancy
due to ill health, the decision was taken
to convert one of the three chicken sheds
into workshop rental units.
“I live an hour away from the farm, so it
was important to choose a diversification
that didn’t need hands-on daily
management. Planning permission was
granted in 2017 for change of use and the
1,000 square metre shed was divided into
17 units,” says Williamson-Jones.
A range of local businesses now rent the
workshops, including carpenters, plumbers
and a classic car restorer. The capital
investment of £140,000 yields a return of
£45,000 a year, and they have started on
the conversion of a second chicken shed.
While gaining permission for change of
use was straightforward in this scenario,
that is not always the case, says Ashley.
“One of the common pitfalls for
diversification is underestimating the
potential complexities and costs of
the planning process, and the capital
outlay required for the new business.
Time spent in assessing and planning
the project is critical; professional input
is often very helpful, as is looking at a
phased development rather than plunging
straight in.”
Choosing the right diversification
is about more than just location and
funding, however. A new venture often
means new skills and potentially a more
public-facing role.
“It’s important to consider existing
skills and where they would need to be
added to. Similarly, not everyone is cut
out to deal face-to-face with customers
and the people management side of a
diversification can sometimes be the most
challenging aspect,” Ashley warns.
For Williamson-Jones, a key part of the
success of the workshop rentals has been
taking care to choose the right tenants
and then managing expectations.
“We interview everyone who applies to
rent a unit and make sure they feel right
for us. We’ve found that, as we don’t live
on site, there’s the potential for issues
with tidiness, and people parking cars
where they shouldn’t, so being clear about
what is allowed is important.”
n To discuss diversification, contact Ashley Lilley,
Cheltenham, 01242 548 012,
RENEWABLES: WE’LL
ALWAYS NEED ENERGY
Renewables now supply one
third of the UK’s energy (more
than 50% in Scotland in 2017-18),
and often only need a relatively
small land area. With the closure
of the Feed-in Tariff earlier this
year, some landowners have put
green energy diversification,
projects on hold. However, there
are still opportunities.
Large-scale solar development
has seen a resurgence in interest
after the removal of subsidies
three years ago stalled the
market. These days however,
units are cheaper and more
efficient, meaning projects can
be financially viable without
subsidy, and developers are
actively looking for sites for new
projects upwards of 50 acres.
Capacity systems, such as
battery storage or gas-peaking
stations, however, typically
need less than two acres of
land. These are the technologies
that help grid networks to
balance their flow of supply
and demand. Landowners with
existing substations or overhead
lines could be well placed to
branch out into the capacity
market.
n For more information on
renewable opportunities,
contact David Grindley,
Norwich, 01603 229 234,
CREATIVE THINKING:
IDEAS BEYOND B&B
CRAFTS
Whether it is producing wool
knitwear for sale or running
courses on felting, spinning
and crocheting, craft-based
diversifications offer the
opportunity to add value.
Other opportunities include
demonstration days and
workshops on crafts such as
dry-stone walling and hedge
laying. Key considerations
include a suitable workspace
(and potentially accommodation
provision) for those attending
on-farm courses, and the
amount of labour time diverted
away from the core business.
MICROBREWERIES
Farms already growing top
quality malting barley have a
head start for this added-value
option, but there are some
key considerations before
deciding to brew and sell your
own beer. While the interest
in craft beers has increased
greatly in recent times, the
Society of Independent Brewers
(SIBA) warns that the overall
UK beer market is in long-term
decline, so any new business
will be heading into a highly
competitive sector with large
and small brewers fighting
for market share. Marketing
the product is a critical part
of success, which may mean
investing in new skills.
DOGGY DAYCARE
Kennels and catteries have
long been a popular option
for farm diversification, but
fitting pets around modern
working lifestyles has created
opportunities for a more flexible
offering, including day care
and securely fenced dog parks
for off-lead exercise. Farms
can be ideal for this, but there
are considerations such as
waste disposal, proximity to
other dwellings (barking dogs)
and the specialist knowledge
required to care for a variety of
breeds safely.
WORKING FARM HOLIDAYS
Working farm holidays offer
those looking to bridge the
urban/rural divide a chance to
experience life on a farm. This
can include feeding animals,
trying rural crafts such as
hedge laying and helping
out with conservation work.
Accommodation is usually
provided so there may be
investment required in tents,
glamping pods or similar, and
there are insurance and health
and safety considerations to be
taken into account. Set up your own microbrewery
Farm holidays for paying guests
SHUTTERSTOCK, iSTOCK