Land Use & the Environment

Landowners and farmers are regarded as key stakeholders in the management of the environment. The Basic Payment Scheme requires farmers to adhere to strict cross compliance and greening requirements whilst other grant schemes provide occupiers with financial incentives to look after the environment through prescribed activities.

We advise on the legal issues arising ever-shifting landscape of management schemes and their specific ecological requirements.

We also recognise that agriculture is operating under a strict statutory regime designed to minimise or prevent hazardous farming activities from having a negative impact on the environment. Our team of lawyers can guide farmers through the minefield of legislation which affects all aspects of farming life from crop spraying to the management and storage of slurry. We can also deal with nuisance claims arising out of farming activities which unreasonably interfere with another landowner’s use of land.

We advise on:

  • Land contamination
  • Greening
  • Cross compliance
  • Nuisance
  • NVZs
  • SSSIs
  • Countryside Stewardship
  • Air and Water pollution and prevention
  • Fly tipping
  • Hedgerows.
Recent experience

Purchasing a substantial agricultural farming company, which involved a team of 15 lawyers who provided strategic advice on the corporate, planning, environmental, employment, development opportunities, commercial contracts and property matters, which extended to some 2500 acres of farmland, 35 residential properties, commercial lets and joint venture agreements over a further 1500 acres.

Advising the owner of a large estate of nearly 1000 acres as they encountered financial difficulties and went into administration. Specialist insolvency expertise was obtained within the Firm and negotiations were conducted with both the administrator and the tenant. These negotiations resulted in an excellent outcome for the landlord.

Acting for a substantial farming business, who became the subject of a hostile claim for all of their land and business assets. This was a highly complex case, which involved the gathering and preparation of numerous detailed witness statements, recounting events going back over 30 years.

Acting for a £multi-million commercial farming tenant in a dispute with a landlord over the grant and interpretation of a tenancy to a substantial part of the business. This was a high stakes case with possible consequences which were business critical, requiring legal advice at the cutting edge, and a significant team to document the eventual settlement.

Advising on the corporate disposal of a £multi-million commercial farming operation, including advising on complex taxation considerations.

Advising landed estates in connection with the grant and administration of agricultural and sporting tenancies.

Acting for a landed estate in connection with the grant of an option to a quality house builder. The deal included finding alternative farmland for an agricultural tenant and provided for the development of the site in various phases. The landowner was keen to maintain the integrity and high reputation of the estate amongst the local community.

KEY CONTACTS
Ben Sharples
Ben Sharples
Partner
TEAM
Andrew Baines
Andrew Baines
Partner
Philip Wolfgang
Philip Wolfgang
Partner
Caroline Baines
Caroline Baines
Consultant
Adam Corbin
Adam Corbin
Partner
Josie Edwards
Josie Edwards
Senior Associate
Charlotte Razay
Charlotte Razay
Senior Associate
Rachel O'Connor
Rachel O'Connor
Partner
Erica Williams
Erica Williams
Senior Associate
Jake Rostron
Jake Rostron
Trainee Legal Executive