BAC wrote:
"John Smith" wrote in message
...

"BAC" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi

I am looking into the options for a 1/4 acre plot of grassed land
that I own at the rear of my garden. One possibility is to
"cultivate" it into a small wood, and this really appeals to me.

Unfortunately, I'm totally ignorant on most things botanical....so
I'm in need of some guidance as to how I might get started. My
objectives are

i. relatively low cost & maintenance; i don't have much spare time
outside weekends
ii. attract wildlife
iii. a variety of trees, with emphasis on quick growing species
(NOT the dreaded leylandi !)
iv. maintain a small grassed area in the middle where one could
"escape" with a good book
v. encourage wild flowers to grow .

As I say, I'm pretty much clueless on this and am looking for
advice on how I might get started. Any good web links or
organsiations would be usuful.


Don't forget you may need planning permission if you intend to
convert, say,
agricultural pasture land into a garden, even if it's a wildlife
garden.

Why do you need planning permission to plant trees on grassland? And
he may even get a grant to do so. He didn't say converting to a
garden at all!


You don't need planning consent to plant trees on grassland, you do
need planning consent to change the land's use from agricultural to
garden, whether or not you actually describe it as a garden. It is
the use made of the land which counts. A plot adjoining a garden,
with ornamental trees planted as a screen, and an amenity area
retained in the middle, to be used by the householder, could be said
to have been incorporated into the curtilage of the dwelling, as
garden land, which would require planning consent.

Hence, if it is currently agricultural land, it may be worth the OP's
while to consider whether planning consent would be required in his
particular circumstances, and whether it would be likely to be
forthcoming, before he commits himself to a course of action which he
might subsequently be forced to reverse.


Conversely, if it were planted with the sorts of timber which has commercial
value (say as firewood or fencing / shed making), and the local woodman
contracted occaisionally to coppice crops from it (which would either run
your own heating, or could be sold), the change would be from agricultural
pasture to agricultural coppice, which, as BAC says, would not require
permission. This could fit with the OP's original aims of quick growing and
attracting wildlife (including flowers, etc) - take some advice from the
local nature groups on the details.

If keeping chickens doesn't appeal, the "quiet" bit in the middle could be
loaned out occaisionally to a local sheep farmer to graze some animals. And
thus its all still agricultural.



However, I agree with BAC that if the approach were more ornamental, or if
there is no longer a clear boundary between the garden and the new land,
then planning consents will probably be required.
I think the main concern of the planning authorities are around extending
gardens (and hence developed area) into agricultural areas.
They are particularly looking out for "sneaky development" where the land is
extended, then a bit later planning permission for a building is sought, and
finally the land is divided again into two (or more) plots.


- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/