Farming and planning

Apart from the natural topography of the area, agriculture and to a lesser extent forestry is the principal influence on the landscape within Tandridge. Some 60% of land in the area is used for agriculture. However, because of changes in the agricultural industry there is a reducing need for land. Farm income has been reducing and the industry is under pressure. There have also been increasing concerns about the impact of farming on the environment.

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. The Government is keen to sustain the process of diversification in the rural economy as a means of supporting farming and as a way of protecting the landscape. 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 Tandridge District Local Plan 2001, which is available on this web site. 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.

In July 2002 the Government published a Farmer's Guide to the Planning System. 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. The advice is available on the web site of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Business Link Surrey have also produced a guide called: "Improving your planning application - A guide for Farmers". The document includes a useful template to help make out a planning application. Blank copies of the template can be found by going to the Business Link web site or by telephoning 0845 749 49 49.

Advice for farmers
There is support for farmers in a number of ways. Business Link Surrey is able to provide advice to farmers about their business and can provide guidance to those wishing to diversify. Business Link Surrey also publishes a comprehensive guide to grants that are available for management and restoration projects. It can be obtained by calling 0845 7 49 49 49.

The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group is able to provide help to farmers wishing to improve or develop the wildlife value of their farms. You can contact FWAG by looking at their website, or contacting the Surrey adviser by e-mail surrey@fwag.org.uk or by telephoning 01483 404255.

The District Council has a grant scheme for Environmental Initiatives.

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 web site.

Farming and food
In January 2002 the Government published "Farming and Food - a sustainable future" which is the report of the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food ( The Curry Report). The report is available from the Cabinet Office website.

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

The District Council has supported the production of a Local Produce Guide, this provides details of a wide range of locally produced food and some other products. A copy of the guide is available to download here.

Local Produce - where to buy local produce in and around Surrey