Farming and planning

Farming is a major influence on the landscape within Tandridge. Some 60% of land in the area is used for agriculture. However, because of changes in farming in recent years there is a reducing need for land. Farm income has been reducing and the industry is under pressure. The Surrey Farm Study 3 2009 was commissioned by the Surrey Rural Partnership to consider the state of farming in the county and to provide information to support and influence long term planning policy.

A number of farmers have sought to diversify their businesses into non-farming activities as a way of supplementing farm income, this has helped them to remain in farming. It is recognised that farmers are stewards of the countryside and that without farming the landscape will suffer through neglect.

Tandridge District Council has sought to encourage diversification, subject to certain criteria. Clearly it is not possible in every situation to permit new activity to take place, because sometimes there are overriding environmental, amenity or traffic issues.

The Council's policies on agriculture and diversification can be found within the Local Plan. The most relevant policies can be found within Chapter 2. Policy RE6 concerns the reuse of buildings in the Green Belt and policy RE26 concerns farm diversification.

The Council has published Supplementary Planning Guidance on the Conversion of Buildings in the Green Belt.

Advice for farmers

In July 2002 the Government published a Farmer's Guide to the Planning System (This link will open in a new window). This provides more advice on making planning applications for diversification as well as advice on traditional agricultural matters such as applying for permission for farm buildings and agricultural worker's dwellings.

There is support for farmers in a number of ways, Business Link Surrey (This link will open in a new window) is able to provide advice to farmers about their business and can provide guidance to those wishing to diversify, telephone 0845 600 9 006.

The Farming and wildlife advisory group (This link will open in a new window) is able to provide help to farmers wishing to improve or develop the wildlife value of their farms. You can contact an adviser by e-mail surrey@fwag.org.uk or by telephoning 01483 810887.

Grants
The District Council has a grant scheme for Environmental Initiatives.

The Surrey Rural Partnership has successfully bid for a government rural grant scheme aimed at helping to develop sustainable food, farming, community and tourism enterprises across rural Surrey. Parts of Tandridge fall within the scheme area. For more details see the Surrey Hills LEADER Grant Scheme (This link will open in a new window) web page on the SCC web site. The scheme is available from 2008 to 2013.

Farm waste
Farms are now affected by the Waste Management Regulations 2006 and these will affect how farm waste is stored and disposed of. In some situations farmers may need to apply for planning permission for waste storage and disposal. Further information can be found on the DEFRA - Farm Waste (This link will open in a new window) web site.

Farmers Markets
Farmers Markets are now taking place all over the County. Such markets provide consumers to buy good quality local produce direct from the producer. For more information on locations look at the Surrey County Council web site: Farmers Markets (This link will open in a new window)

For further information please contact Customer Services on 01883 722000 or e-mail customerservices@tandridge.gov.uk

Or write to us at:
Tandridge District Council
8 Station Road East
Oxted RH8 0BT

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