Insights & Reports

Rural Outlook 2024 - Update on Rural Permitted Development Rights

Around 10 years ago, we saw the introduction of Class Q (agriculture to residential) and Class R (agriculture to a flexible commercial use) permitted development rights, which opened significant opportunities for barn conversions and rural diversification.

Rural Agency Update 2024

Over the past 12 months, there has been a noticeable increase in land brought to the market, marking a shift from previous years.

Rural Outlook 2024 - Biodiversity Net Gain: An Opportunity for Nature

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is the mechanism by which new housing, commercial and infrastructure developments in England will become ‘nature positive’.

Rural Outlook 2024 - Developing Your Land While Protecting Your Values

Legacy development is increasingly popular for rural landowners looking to develop their land in a sustainable way while benefiting future generations by creating high-quality, environmentally conscious communities.

Rural Outlook 2024 - Creating Nature Rich Solar Sites

With global agreement on the urgency of the climate crisis and time slipping away to reach our targets of a net zero power supply by 2035 and a net zero economy by 2050, the energy transition has never been more pressing. Solar farms have an important role to play in this transition.

Rural Outlook 2024 - Bright Sparks - Solar and Battery Markets Still Hot

Amidst a dynamic renewable energy landscape, developers are still scoping out new solar energy and battery storage projects in England, even though many considered this market to be almost at saturation nearly two years ago.

Rural Outlook 2024 - Local Plan Watch

It’s essential for anyone that has land with potential for development to keep apprised of the opportunities arising from emerging local development plans.

Rural Outlook 2024 - Nutrient Neutrality Challenges: Key Takeaways for Landowners

18 months after it was first introduced, there are finally glimmers of hope for landowners and developers affected by Nutrient Neutrality.

Rural Outlook 2024 - Is it Time to Embrace a Land Use Framework?

Never before has land been subject to so many competing demands. Could it now be time to embrace the concept of a Land Use Framework? And where does that leave farming, now in a largely unsupported world?

Rural Outlook 2024 - Sustainable Farming Incentive - Our Findings so Far

At the time of writing, Bidwells’ agriculture and environment team have been working with the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2023 offer for three months and have had mixed experience with the actions chosen, the compatibility with other schemes, and the application process.

Introduction | Rural Outlook 2024

We approach the spring with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, both in terms of the rural economy, and wider macroeconomic factors.

Rural Property Index 2024

The Rural sector faces challenges on a number of fronts…but despite the challenges ahead, rural investors can look to emerging opportunities.