What's New

The Prime Minister speaking to the NFU AGM on 20th February has announced a business package for farming, specifically with reference to “productivity and resilience”. This note has more detail.

The House of Commons Committee published its 10th Report on HS2, which includes recommendations to the Department for Transport and HS2 regarding land disposal policy on the cancelled sections of the project.

Following the Prime Minister’s speech today at the NFU AGM, DEFRA has published these two overviews of its schemes: the range of financial assistance schemes – see this link the Farming Investment Fund for productivity The Prime Minister's announcements are summarised in our note....

The accompanying note summarises the Prime Minister's announcements at the NFU AGM on 20th February 2024

Responding to the recent farmers demonstrations in Wales over issues including the demands of the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said that it is for the Welsh Government, not farmers, to determine what it wants for the money it can offer Welsh agriculture. The note below provides more information.

DEFRA is lifting the Kent and Norfolk Temporary Control Zones (TCZs) for Bluetongue in England from Monday 19th February. This note sets out more detail.

Further to our website note of 15th February, this note sets out more details of the enlargement of Class MA permitted development right to change use from commercial to residential use

This decision relates to the assessment of statutory compensation under s.7 of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965, commonly referred to as injurious affection, as well as disturbance compensation under Rule 6 of s.5 of the Land Compensation Act 1961. While not creating any new legal precedent, this decision does provide a reminder of: fundamental concepts for valuers assessing injurious affection and the need to disregard matters that could not have been known at the valuation date. the common...

This note summarises the two changes to Permitted Development rights in England under The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2024 SI No. 141, widening the rights to change from commercial to dwelling use.

DEFRA has issued its sample-based survey of farm rents in England drawn from the Farm Business Survey. This note provides a summary.

The CAAV has joined with the Portuguese association, ASAVAL, and TEGOVA to organise a conference on agricultural valuations to be held in Lisbon on Friday 22nd March 2024, concluding in time for the last weekend before Easter. This is an opportunity for insight in experience of the differing markets and approaches in countries from the UK to Bulgaria, Portugal and Italy to Latvia at a time of geopolitical pressure, climate change, technological development and other factors. That has led TEGOVA...

This note explores some of the issues relating to the management of road-side hedges under SFI.

The Welsh Government has opened a consultation on a set of Environmental Principles for Wales, as well as a new environmental governance body, for which it intends to legislate. This note looks at the proposals.

The Government has today issued two consultations on planning policies for England: one on a range of further permitted development rights for householder development (deadline 9th April 2024); andone on strengthening the presumption for the development of brownfield land, especially for major conurbations (deadline 26th March 2024). The note provides an overview of both consultations....

The papers for the Council meeting being held on 15th February are attached.

The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 (PSTI Act) makes changes to the Electronic Communications Code. The provisions of the Act are being implemented in phases, with some now in force and others still awaiting commencement regulations. The note below summarises which provisions have been implemented and which are yet to come.

Rent Smart Wales have recently issued a reminder to landlords and their agents to download the most up-to-date versions of template model contracts and prescribed forms from the Welsh Government website each time, rather than using locally saved documents. This follows some minor amendments made last year, taking effect on 6th December 2023, as summarised in the CAAV Note of 23rd November 2023....

Draft Regulations have been laid before the Scottish Parliament to provide transitional measures that, if approved, will take effect on 1st April 2024. This latest legislation follows the temporary rent cap and eviction moratorium protections brought in by the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Act 2022, which will cease to apply after 31st March 2024. The note below provides further information, as well as the Scottish Government publishing updated guidance ahead of the legislation being...

The Co-operative Group, in partnership with it supplier Dunbia, is piloting a programme to incentivise actions for sustainability in its supply chain. This note has a brief overview.

The 2024 edition of the CAAV Model Grazing and Mowing Licence for Wales is attached. The adaptation of this agreement to practical circumstances is a matter for the professional judgement of members for which the CAAV can accept no liability.

The Northern Ireland Assembly met on Saturday 3rd February, forming a new Executive and electing Edwin Poots, the DUP former Agriculture Minister as Speaker. This note provides a summary.

AECS 2024 is now opening to offer support to land managers in Scotland. This note provides a brief overview.

The draft Code of Behaviour for all parties, whether landlords, tenants, agents and advisers (see Note below) will be considered by the CAAV Council on 15th February. Members wishing to have views considered, either e-mail them to Jeremy Moody at the Secretariat (jeremy@caav.org.uk) or contact their Local Association Council member(s) so that those views can be available for the Council discussion.

For rental properties in Scotland, the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 s. 14 imposes on landlords the duty to meet a repairing standard. Items are to be in reasonable repair and working order. Section 13(7) lists what is covered, including: wind and water tightness; structure and exterior, including drains, gutters and external pipes; installations for the supply of water, gas electricity, sanitation, space and water heating; fixtures, fittings and appliances; and furnishings. A new version of The...

A package was announced on 30th January for revision of the regulatory and other arrangements for trade with Northern Ireland. The Government has now published the Command paper, Safeguarding the Union, and the first legislation to implement parts of it are expected to be debated tomorrow. This note provides an overview of issues related to agriculture.

After publication of a draft last year (see CAAV Note 20th November 2023), the Home Office has published its Code of practice on right to rent, which will be applicable to residential landlords and their agents in England with effect from 13th February 2024....

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities has launched a consultation for greater transparency regarding contractual controls over land (option agreements), with proposals to create a dataset comprising the “what”, “where”, “who” and “when” of contractual control agreements. The consultation closes 20th March 2024. There is a similar consultation regarding greater transparency where land ownership involves trusts (closing 21st February 2024 - see CAAV 11th January...

The Statutory Rule for the Farming for the Generations Scheme in Northern Ireland has now been made, to take effect on 1st March. This note provides more information on the scheme.

The Valuation Office Agency has launched new standards to encourage good practice from agents when representing customers on business rates and Council Tax. The VOA Agent Standards set out how agents must act in: their behaviourtheir professional practice They also set out the level of service agents should provide to their customers, such as providing clear communications and responding in a timely manner....

Updated guidance 'Understanding the possession action process' has been published for private residential landlords in England, with the associated guidance for tenants similarly updated. Changes to the guidance clarify that form 6A (or a document setting out the same information as required on that form), must be provided to serve a Section 21 notice. There is also inclusion of a new link in the private landlord guidance to provide further information about the Housing Loss Prevention Advice...

The Geospatial Commission is continuing its work on rolling out a digital map, generally known as the 'National Underground Asset Register' (NUAR), showing underground cables and pipes. Ultimately providing information on buried services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and intended to reduce accidental asset strikes. The platform is to be fully operational by the end of 2025 but is currently restricted to asset owners, such as utility companies, transport and local authorities. A...

This note reviews LJ Fairburn & Son Ltd & Ors, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs [2024] EWHC 65 (Admin). The High Court has now herd cases from several poultry farmers on the compensation provisions for avian influenza (AI) both before and after the change of policy in October 2022.

From 12th February 2024, Biodiversity Net Gain becomes a condition of planning consent for major development in England. It will then be a requirement for small sites – as defined in the regulations – from April 2024 and for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) from November 2025. Ahead of the policy becoming a planning requirement, the CAAV has briefed members on the development of BNG over the past few years with a range of notes, resources and briefing documents...

The Government have announced the formal lifting of safeguarding directions for the Phase 2a route between the West Midlands and Crewe. Safeguarding will remain in place for land close to Handsacre, as this is still required to connect HS2 Phase 1 to the West Coast Main Line.

This Order amends the Units of Production figures in England with effect from 22nd February 2024, as summarised in CAAV Note 16th January 2024.

The following notes set out the Units of Production figures, taking effect from 22nd February 2024 in England, with a separate Order for Wales, taking effect from 7th February 2024.

This Order amends the Units of Production figures in Wales with effect from 7th February 2024, as summarised in CAAV Note 16th January 2024.

With the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 on the statute book, the Government is now consulting on the use of “street votes” as a new means to achieve planning permission for development in England. Responses are due by 2nd February. The note below provides further information.

The National Trading Standards Estate and Lettings Agency Team has now issued enlarged guidance as to what is “material information” for property sales and lettings in the context of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, essentially focussed on residential sales and leases and applying across the United Kingdom. The note below provides further information.