buying farmland to extend our garden and build a garage
Discussion
Evening all,
I am going to speak to the local farmer about buying a chunk of his field so I can extend my garden and build a garage on the land.
The farmer told me he agrees in principle and has recently sold some land for garden use for £20sq/m. I am going to try and get him round to the house to talk it through this weekend but I want to see if his prices are right and if there is anything I should look out for as part of this process? £20 sq/m seems a little expensive as this chunk (1,780 sq/m) would cost £35,000. Am I right in thinking an acre was about 10k? Happy to be told otherwise, this is new to me.
The land is in North East Scotland and is currently used as arable land. The land will only be used for a garage and garden, we will not extend our house onto it or build another house on it so do not mind if there are restrictive covenants imposed to that effect.
A snip of the land from google earth is shown below:
I am going to speak to the local farmer about buying a chunk of his field so I can extend my garden and build a garage on the land.
The farmer told me he agrees in principle and has recently sold some land for garden use for £20sq/m. I am going to try and get him round to the house to talk it through this weekend but I want to see if his prices are right and if there is anything I should look out for as part of this process? £20 sq/m seems a little expensive as this chunk (1,780 sq/m) would cost £35,000. Am I right in thinking an acre was about 10k? Happy to be told otherwise, this is new to me.
The land is in North East Scotland and is currently used as arable land. The land will only be used for a garage and garden, we will not extend our house onto it or build another house on it so do not mind if there are restrictive covenants imposed to that effect.
A snip of the land from google earth is shown below:
Edited by danrc on Thursday 27th February 13:57
p1stonhead said:
Often not allowed to turn farmland or fields into gardens due to planning restrictions. They don’t like suburbs ‘creeping’ into the countryside and the like.
I almost bought a house with the plan to do the same once upon a time but previous owner had looked into it and was categorically told no numerous times. Without it the actual garden was tiny so we didn’t proceed.
And the field was already theirs on this particular house so in theory it was easy.
Look into it first with planners. I bet they’ll say no at least initially. You can buy it but probably won’t be able to extend garden into it and take down dividing fences and the like.
I am taking heart from the fact he recently sold some farmland for garden use recently so hopefully, there is precedent. I know each case is different but I can hope. Our garden is actually a decent size already, we have a big drive and forest walks on the doorstep but I do not want to build a garage on the current plot (even though we have planning permission) as it will close the view from our kitchen and potentially block light to the neighbour's house. I almost bought a house with the plan to do the same once upon a time but previous owner had looked into it and was categorically told no numerous times. Without it the actual garden was tiny so we didn’t proceed.
And the field was already theirs on this particular house so in theory it was easy.
Look into it first with planners. I bet they’ll say no at least initially. You can buy it but probably won’t be able to extend garden into it and take down dividing fences and the like.
barryrs said:
Has the land use on the other parcel actually been changed or are they simply using as an extension of the garden?
To build the garage you will also need a change of use so if you agree terms it might be worth applying a “subject to approval” clause.
I've no idea I'm afraid, hopefully find out more this weekend. Thanks for the advice on the clause. To build the garage you will also need a change of use so if you agree terms it might be worth applying a “subject to approval” clause.
I appreciate everyone's input, it's why I've always come back to Pistonheads over the years' as it's a great resource for other points of view and experiences.
To date, I have not discussed any figures with the farmer other than what he would expect per sq/m. I have sent him an outline of what I would like to purchase stating we do not intend to develop it other than a garage and he seems open to the idea. I'm currently arranging a time with him to have a cup of tea and discuss further.
I totally agree that you do not want to piss a farmer off (or the neighbours for that matter). If it works out and we can come to an agreement - cool! If not, lets part as friends and at least I've introduced myself properly.
I do like the idea of an orchard...
To date, I have not discussed any figures with the farmer other than what he would expect per sq/m. I have sent him an outline of what I would like to purchase stating we do not intend to develop it other than a garage and he seems open to the idea. I'm currently arranging a time with him to have a cup of tea and discuss further.
I totally agree that you do not want to piss a farmer off (or the neighbours for that matter). If it works out and we can come to an agreement - cool! If not, lets part as friends and at least I've introduced myself properly.
I do like the idea of an orchard...
I met the landowner yesterday and had a good yap. Hes happy to sell as much or as little as we need but doesn't want to render a chunk of the land unusable for machinery- fair enough! He checked the going rate for land to convert to garden use and its 20 sq/m which is fine. He even said we can apply for planning for a garage even though he owns the land and he'll sign it off to get the ball rolling - next stop is a family friend who happens to be an architect in the local area.
He plans to plough the field soon which will mean we cant do anything till November other than line everything up. This is ok as were not in a position to move on things right now but it's good to know a) he is in agreement in principle and b) he is willing to work with us on this.
He plans to plough the field soon which will mean we cant do anything till November other than line everything up. This is ok as were not in a position to move on things right now but it's good to know a) he is in agreement in principle and b) he is willing to work with us on this.
Promised Land said:
Even if Farmer Giles accepted your offer today don't expect a quick turnaround, I bought some private woodland last year, offer accepted first week of April, all went smoothly with no hiccups but it wasn't mine until September.
The fact it's not a chain (like house sales)I think is why it was so slow at going through.
Has the farmer said if he wants you to pay his legal fees yet?
Usually when you approach a land owner who hasn't advertised to sell they normally state you agree to pay all their fees, mine I was aware even before I made an offer as I approached them.
Itll be november before anything happens as he is ploughing/sowing soon and I'm fine with this timeline..were in this for the long haul so no hurry. The fact it's not a chain (like house sales)I think is why it was so slow at going through.
Has the farmer said if he wants you to pay his legal fees yet?
Usually when you approach a land owner who hasn't advertised to sell they normally state you agree to pay all their fees, mine I was aware even before I made an offer as I approached them.
No mention of legal fees but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. If he requires us to pay them, then so be it. In the grand scheme of things it wont be much so happy to oblige as the land will make a huge difference to our lives and quality of living.
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