The Rural Bulletin: 20th September 2018

Half of landowners paid late for HS2

Half of all compulsory purchase order payments to landowners for HS2 have been late, according to the National Audit Office. The project has been acquiring land and property for Phase One of the scheme, which is between London and the West Midlands. 

The National Audit Office stated that HS2 was failing to make payments to landowners on time and that concerns had been raised about the effect this would have on individuals and businesses.

Jonathan Scott-Smith from Knight Frank’s Compulsory Purchase department goes on to explain: “When payments are eventually made, they are often a fraction of what the claimants believe they are entitled to, and there is currently 0% statutory interest due on late payments. This situation highlights the need for a review of compensation law and procedures, to make the process fairer for claimants.”

“HS2 does appear to have taken on board some of the National Audit Office comments so hopefully at least some of the issues will be resolved.”

Improve stewardship payments

Improvements need to be made to the current payment system ahead of this year’s Environment Stewardship and Countryside Stewardship payment rollout, according to the NFU. It wants all agreement holders to be paid in full and on time by the RPA following Defra’s announcement that bridging payments will be made by the end of September to those who have yet to receive 75% of their ES payments for 2016 and/or 2017.

NFU deputy president, Guy Smith, was pleased that Defra had listened to the NFU’s calls for bridging payments, especially due to the challenging year, however they do not solve the underlying issues of the system’s performance. “A long-term fix in the administration of the scheme is needed to renew farmers’ confidence that the scheme will not leave them under unnecessary financial pressure.”

Plan to ban tractors on A55

The Welsh Government has proposed to ban tractors from using the busy A55 between Holyhead and Chester during peak times, according to Farmers Weekly. 

The plans could ban vehicles that don’t meet a minimum speed using the 83-mile stretch of dual carriageway, meaning farmers and contractors could be forced to use alternative routes along country lanes.

However, the Farmers Union Wales contests that tractors are causing any issues at all. “I’d really like to see evidence there is a genuine problem,” Gwynedd Watkin at FUW Caernarfonshire, told Farmers Weekly. “If this goes ahead, it could set a precedent for all the main roads, and such a proposal should be rejected outright.”

Tougher sanctions for livestock worrying in Scotland

NFU Scotland has called for tougher penalties for people whose dogs attack livestock after an Argyll man was sentenced to 80 hours community service earlier in September. This was despite his dogs killing 17 sheep and causing £4,100 worth of damage.

The victim, Brian Walker at Carloonana Farm, said: “It is now evident that the farming community in Scotland doesn’t have any protection from instances of livestock worrying as the sanctions dog owners face are far too lenient to deter them from doing this again.”

Andrew McCornick, NFU Scotland’s president said this was a prime example of the importance of full and proportionate compensation for those impacted by livestock worrying. 

“Livestock worrying continues to be a blight on Scottish agriculture, and greater sanctions and further public awareness are needed so dog owners are fully aware of their responsibilities to keep their animals under control.”

How can we help? Knight Frank's Rural Property Management team is on hand to advise on a wide range of private and institutional clients on the hugely diverse property assets that they own.