Rural | Land & Farming Expertise
Our Rural Estate Management team manage thousands of acres across Southern England. We ensure that traditional estate values are maintained and our client’s objectives are met, while also ensuring that the estate’s assets are utilised and maximised to full advantage.
Our team are dedicated to building long-term working relationships with our clients and we provide advice and services across the charity, private, small business and corporate sectors.
Our comprehensive rural estate management service includes:
Inclusive of agricultural agreements, Landlord & Tenant services, residential and commercial property, forestry, staff, tax, accounting and tax planning. We are adept at administering all aspects of estate management and pride ourselves on our levels of communication with our clients and other stakeholders.
Regular exploration as to the most effective way to maximise the income of an estate, from conversion of redundant farm buildings through to energy creation.
Contact our specialist team for further information.
Agency Services
The Agency services we offer are all-encompassing and cover the sale, purchase, valuation, mortgage and letting of farms, estates, houses, commercial premises and land.
We can advise you on all aspects of the sale of your property including appropriate timings. Simmons & Sons will also recommend any improvements that may be required to maximise your return before marketing the property on your behalf, either privately or on the open market.
Agriculture
With a long history of rural services experience, our dedicated team will advise and manage any requirements you may have relating to:
- Contract farming arrangements
- Grazing licences
- Estate management
- Rural consultancy
- Estate mapping and surveys
Compulsory Purchase & Other Compensation Claims
Simmons & Sons are able to consult and advise with respect to all aspects of compulsory purchase.
Such undertakings may relate to water, oil and gas pipelines, road and rail schemes, electricity wayleaves and other utility easements and wayleaves.
We are able to mitigate the impact of the easement on your land and act on your behalf in drawing up and submitting claims for compensation for injurious affection and disturbance.
Agricultural Tenancy Matters
Simmons & Sons have the capacity to advise on agricultural tenancies (under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 and the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995).
We can facilitate all aspects of lease negotiations, rent reviews, lease renewals, records of condition, dilapidation claims, termination, end of tenancy compensation and new agreements.
Rural Grants & The Basic Payment Scheme
Our team are able to assist with all types of rural grants and are able to advise on the following schemes:
- Registration of new businesses and completion of Basic Payment Scheme applications
- Purchase, sale and lease of Entitlements
- Transition to the post Brexit world and the proposed Environmental Land Management Scheme
- Woodland Grant Schemes
As well as providing advice we are also able to act on your behalf with respect to the application process for the above schemes.
Rural Planning & Development
Simmons & Sons provide planning and property consultancy to a wide range of rural businesses across the South of England. We advise, prepare and submit applications on our client’s behalf, and are well versed in all aspects of the following:
- Planning Applications and Prior Notification Applications for new Agricultural Dwellings and Buildings (farmhouses, barns, stables etc.)
- Appeals to the Planning Inspectorate
- Certificates of Lawfulness for Existing Use and Development (CLEUDs and CLOPUDs)
- Permitted Development Applications for Change of Use of Agricultural Buildings to Commercial or Residential Use
- Removal of Agricultural Occupancy Conditions Applications
- Advice on the promotion of land into Local Plan
