ness needs long-term planning. And we simply don’t have that cer- tainty yet because we don’t know at what level government fund- ing will be set.
There are other challenges too. Defra is actively considering the possibility of lowering the mini- mum area requirement criteria for farmers wanting to join the scheme – opening it up to a wider number of applicants.
While the total amount of fund-
pendent on funding. The govern- ment has committed to ring-fenc- ing the money from the basic payment scheme until the end of this Parliament. But there is no guarantee as to what happens af- terwards. This is less than positive. Every farmer knows a successful busi-
ing has been ring-fenced, this obvi- ously does not equate to ring-fenc- ing the amount that individual farmers receive. And more farm- ers in the scheme means less mon- ey available per farm. However, ELM is not the only funding route available to farm- ers. The government is keen to in- corporate funding from the private sector too. This means private
The new approach represents a profound shiſt in policy
“
With the pandemic having caused a rollercoaster for the leisure and hospitality industries, is the 28-day rule for pop-up campsites an opportunity to be seized this summer?
What is the 28-day rule for pop-up campsites?
Under the so-called 28-day rule, anyone with sufficient space and facilities can open up a campsite for 28 days, without requiring planning permission. The facilities required are toilets and showers, though these can be temporary and/or mobile – or could exist for the purposes of another enterprise. It has been frequently capitalised on by leisure businesses, such as campsites wanting to expand their capacity for the busiest month of the year, or by farmers or other businesses who want to make the most of demand to generate some extra income.
What changed for the campsite rules in 2020?
In order to give a much-needed boost to the leisure and hospitality industries after their forced closure due to the pandemic, the 28-day rule was extended to become the 56-day rule in 2020. When this extension was put in place, an end date was not stipulated so, at the present time, the extension remains in place.
What’s the pop-up campsite situation in 2021? While the extended 56-day period remains in place for the summer of 2021, the leisure industry is lobbying for this to be further extended to 72 days.
companies will also support pub- lic good delivery by funding agri- cultural projects. Some companies have already adopted this “private money for public goods” approach. They in- clude water companies who pay farmers to limit fertiliser applica- tions, thereby reducing the risk of leaching into watercourses.
Woodland creation
Private funding could also be available through woodland cre- ation as a carbon offsetting mecha- nism. Or through biodiversity net gain, which requires any new con- struction to deliver additional bi- odiversity to offset any losses at the development site. Overall, the idea is that this combination of public and pri- vate money will create a simi- lar funding level to the amount of money previously available to farmers through the Common Ag- ricultural Policy. It is clear that the future of funding for the farming sector will be considerably more complicated than it was in the past. A stand-
ardised cookie-cutter application will not be viable going forward. This means each farmer will need to investigate all the differ- ent funding options, consider their land, and review the specifi cs of their business. Only after that, will they be
able to identify the best option. And this option will likely look
very different to your neighbour. Advisers and specialists have a role to play by helping to dispas- sionately assess the data and iden- tify the best route that secures the most funding.
They can also guide clients through this process and max- imise their profi tability. The SFI will be an exciting shift where UK agriculture will begin to move towards a more sustainable future. But it will be challenging, and it will require farmers to be resourceful and willing to try new and innovative methods. Honor Eldridge is an envi- ronmental consultant for Wilson Wraight. For details, call 01284 334483 or visit www.wilson-
wraight.co.uk
28-DAY POP-UP CAMPSITES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The argument from lobbyists is that these businesses have
suffered another unexpected and extended closure and need the economic boost more than ever. And it’s not only the owners of the pop-up campsites who
stand to benefit – there are countless other businesses that rely on tourist trade to turn a profit – shops, pubs, outdoor activities and more.
How can I make the most of the rules?
With foreign summer holidays looking precarious, the domestic leisure industry is facing another bumper summer. Stephen Richards, Head of Leisure at Carter Jonas, said: “As
anyone who has tried to book a staycation in 2021 will know, demand for holiday accommodation in the tourist hotspots of the UK are currently hugely outstripping demand. “The excess demand for holidays means that popular tourist locations such as the Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex coast together with the Norfolk broads and Constable Country through the Suffolk/Essex borders will not have enough accommodation. These pop-up campsites will fill the gap and boost the rural economy after the difficult circumstances of last year.”
Want to know more? Contact Stephen Richards on
stephen.richards@
carterjonas.co.uk or 07968 216596
carterjonas.co.uk Offices throughout the UK
JULY 2021 •ANGLIA FARMER 69
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