Latest News & Publications

A package of measures to compensate owner occupiers affected by the construction of the Phase 1 HS2 route between London and Birmingham was announced on 16 January 2015.

 The package of measures introduced contains two new alternative cash schemes which enable owner occupiers to remain in properties and receive monetary compensation.  This will help people and businesses to stay put rather than being financially persuaded, through potential compulsory acquisition or blight to move.  Owner occupiers for these purposes will include residential properties, small business units and agricultural units. 

With 2 February deadline looming for many tenanted holdings within Cheshire where rent review notices were served last year, Tony Rimmer of Rostons is finding an increasing number of tenants are ringing him with concerns over the level of rent Landlords are seeking. 

Under new regulations all Environmental Stewardship Agreement Holders, whether that be ELS, OELS, ULS or HLS will need to submit an annual claim for 2015 in order to be paid for their agreement.

BASIC PAYMENT UPDATE – ENGLAND

In light of the recent guidance published by the Rural Payments Agency, we feel it appropriate to update you on the latest news.  In summary detailed below are some major announcements :-

Sir David Higgins has prepared a second report which was published on the 27 October 2014.  The report maintains the emphasis on improving connectivity in the North and the Midlands.  The report set out delivery options for the route from West Midlands to Crewe route be fast tracked, with a target for completion of 2027.  However, this report is likely to delay the decision on the final route of HS2 Phase 2, which will cause uncertainty among the farmers and land owners affected. 

With the re-allocation of Welsh Basic Payment Entitlements for 2015 for the new Scheme, there is the opportunity to apply for an application of entitlements to the National Reserve which will open on the 3 November 2014.