Over 75% of the land in Scotland is used for some form of agricultural production. Despite the changes in Government policy and the withdrawal of some grant aid, there is continuing trend towards larger buildings with wider roof spans, even if fewer are being built. These buildings are industrial in appearance and scale and can have a significant impact on the rural landscape and the visual quality of existing farmsteads. Especially given the diversity of landforms, types of agriculture and vernacular building design found in Scotland. Local Planning policies look for these distinctive local qualities to be respected. These issues become more critical in areas of environmental sensitivity.
Interurban is well versed with the planning issues associated with agricultural developments not covered by the General Permitted Development Order.
Farm & Rural Diversification
Since 1945 there have been major changes in the agricultural industry. Until the mid 1980s, Government policy sought to encourage increased production and promoted through grant aid the construction of new farm buildings. Greater mechanisation, the introduction of different systems of production and the need to achieve greater output with less labour led to the development of much larger farm units.
The amalgamation of farm units and the introduction of larger agricultural buildings for the efficient housing of livestock, and storage of fodder, produce and general equipment resulted in the traditional farm steading becoming obsolete.
Due to food surpluses and increasing concern about conservation of the rural landscape, the Government has encouraged farmers to limit output by taking land out of agricultural production and undertaking farm diversification schemes.
Non-agricultural developments on agricultural land require planning permission, as do most farm diversification schemes. Interurban can assist with all planning matters related to farm diversification projects.
