Land Business Autumn/Winter 2011

Government policy seems to be a constantly shifting landscape, and one of the greatest challenges of running a modern estate or farm is surely keeping pace with changing plans and proposals from the UK and EU. In recent months we have had the proposed National Planning Policy Framework and the Localism Act herald a new era for the planning system. We have also had news about the proposed changes to the Common Agricultural Policy. At this stage they raise more questions than they answer, but in their current form the proposals represent signifi cant changes for UK agriculture. Are we going back to set-aside? Will we have capping for the fi rst time? Active farmer?

This announcement was closely followed by the coalition's decision to slash the incentive payment for solar PV by half with just six weeks' notice, throwing the industry into chaos and threatening thousands of projects and jobs. It was a victim of its own success, with a reported 100,000 householders draining the limited funds available long before the expected 2015 deadline.

As ever, where there is change, there is opportunity - it is a matter of recognising that, and being fl exible enough to take advantage of it. Along with intelligent business structuring, succession and taxation planning, energy now forms part of a long-term estate strategy, one that is nimble enough to respond to the vagaries of the economy and the whims of policymakers.

Download Land Business Autumn/Winter 2011.