what is an agricultural occupancy clause?

Question

to do with buying farms

Answer 1

The answer given by 'engineer' is correct but, as ever, there are related matters that may be of interest to you. There is specific provision in Planning Law, guidance, notes, the statutes relating to the Green Belt etc.etc. that allow the construction of new, or the conversion of existing buildings as dwellings for agricultural workers. The landowner must prove the need by demonstrating that no other suitable accomodation is available, that appropriate workers are habitualy employed in agricultural work on his property etc. etc. Once granted the order is wholly restrictive, i.e. if space becomes available due to change of use of the land or for any other reason the dwellings cannot be used or let to others. The only way you could use a property that has an agricultural use permission is to have that permission set aside. This is not easy and will be expensive. You have to demonstrate that not only do you have no further use for the dwellings in connection with agriculture but that no other agricultural workers in the surrounding area have use for them. Agricultural rents are meagre. You must advertise the property or properties as being available etc etc. Assuming nobody has any agricultural use for your building you can apply for the original order to be set aside. This will almost certainly be turned down by the local planning office and you will have to appeal, go through an enquiry, etc etc.
Here you would be well advised to employ appropriate planning specialists and possibly a specialist barrister.
Understand that the Authorities are not stupid. The provision for agricultural use orders is a potential hole in the Green Belt legislation. You will not get such an order unless you can fully prove its necessity. The Authorities are rightly watchfull to people getting permission for agricultural use dwellings, then putting them into disuse, then applying for the restriction to be removed, to then sell the property at a very substantial premium as a private house! Agricultural use dwellings have very low values just because of the restrictive order. Were the restrictive order not originaly granted most such properties could not have been constructed in the first place.
I do not know on what side of this fence you are, but if you are considering buying a property with such an order for domestic use I must advise extreme caution. It may well be very cheap but unless you are certain to be able to have the order removed it could well end up as dead money, if you can get a qualifing tenant the rent will be very poor, you yourself cannot use the property, but you will remain responsible for repairs etc etc.

Answer 2

Agricultural Occupancy Restriction

Answer 3

It is a dwelling for agricultural workers. the websites below add more substance. There are conditions where you can apply to have the clause removed but they are very specific.

Answer 4

It means that permission was given to build the house in "green belt" on the proviso that it is only occupied by agricultural workers...

Answer 5

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/aycUl

No, as you say gardening is part of the horticultural industry whereas agriculture is the mass production of crops - part of the farming industry. However the agent for the house should be able to give you the right answer!