bi3 Autumn/Winter 2020

land management
land management
Herdwick flock
decline is a stark
reminder of the dangers
of chasing grants
he announcement of new
Government grant schemes can be
Tboth a blessing and a curse for land
managers.
Land management requires owners
and advisors to take a strategic view on
management decisions, and poorly thought
through “knee jerk” decisions to embrace
new grant schemes seldom benefit the
long-term viability of a property.
With the uncertainty surrounding Covid-19,
coupled with the fall-out from the Brexit
deal or no deal, it is inevitable that owners
and managers will seek to maintain income
without considering the costs to the
business and environment over the longer
term.
Recently the plight of the Herdwick Sheep
has featured in the national press. This
rare mountain breed, much loved and
championed by Beatrix Potter, has declined
to critical levels as a result of changing farm
ownership, the growth of Airbnb farmhouse
accommodation, and the practice of once
proud flock owners following an easier life
by taking Government grant funding to
reduce flock numbers.
The Lake District National Park Authority,
who manage this World Heritage Site,
recently confirmed that hill and mountain
pastures are in poor and declining condition
as a result of a lack of sheep grazing. The
Malcolm Taylor
Head of Land
Management
malcolm.taylor@
bellingram.co.uk
fashion for selling small hill farms has led to
a dramatic decline in Herdwick numbers
on the Lakeland Fells as these new owners
claim grants from Natural England to
remove stock. This in turn has led to the loss
of positive grazing and threatened the very
existence of this iconic native breed.
North of the border we face similar
challenges. The value of forestry land has
increased beyond any normal levels with the
high level of Government support for new
planting, be it for timber or carbon credits
and carbon offsetting.
I
n the 1980s there was a scramble in the
South West of Scotland to plant every
hill farm that could grow Sitka Spruce.
The result was the rapid expansion of the
forested estate but at the expense of loss
of habitat for waders and moorland birds.
Some years later acid rain, lochs devoid of
brown trout and increased sedimentation
of the Galloway salmon spate rivers grew
to such an extent that the salmon and sea
trout runs all but disappeared.
On the brink of Brexit with no deal, there
will inevitably be pressure on farmers and
land owners to try and protect fragile
incomes as best they can. This is quite
understandable but “knee jerk” business
for short term gain can not be the correct
management decision. Care must be
taken to ensure that decisions taken
now will not adversely impact on either
income streams, nor the environment, in
the next few years.
The proposed new organic scheme
payments might look attractive in the
short-term but how will they impact
on other management activities eg.
treated grit for grouse or treating sheep
for ticks? We need to look beyond short
term aims. Similarly removing ewes
from a hill might be profitable in the
short-term, but with reduced grazing
hill pasture and heather will rapidly
revert to scrub. This might suit some
management aims but longer term
owners and managers must be clear
what their business objectives are. Short
term gains are seldom the answer to
long term management aims. Do we
want rewilding or managed uplands for
sheep and wildlife in general? We need
to take a long term balanced view of
land management.
Before embarking on a new scheme to
attract a grant, it is essential to decide
what the long-term management aims
of the property are. Chasing grants for
the sake of short-term cash is never a
good longer term objective.
Bell Ingram’s land managers are all well
versed in taking the long-term view of
management of properties for future
generations and also to enhance the
biodiversity and ecological integrity of
properties. The future of the Herdwick
Sheep might be in the balance, but it
is incumbent on owners and managers
to ensure that our native Scottish sheep
and cattle breeds, and their associated
environment are not put in jeopardy for
the sake of unsustainable grants. n
16 2 bi2019 bi2020 winter autumn ❘ ❘ winter autumn ❘ ❘ winter bi2020 bi2019 17
3
F
or 121 years Bell Ingram
has managed some
of the UK’s finest
agricultural and sporting
estates.
From Somerset to Sutherland,
the firm’s experienced
Chartered Surveyors oversee a
large number of farms, estates
and corporate properties, and
our bespoke, personal service
ensures our clients maximise
their assets and comply
with the ever changing rural
management requirements.
At Bell Ingram we believe
the best value is achieved
by quality of delivery and
attention to detail. Our
Chartered Surveyors use
the latest technology and
resources available, to achieve
the best results.
Bell Ingram operates primarily
in the rural marketplace,
advising on all aspects of
rural property management,
development, sales and
valuations.
Our Chartered Surveyors can
adopt a full management
service or act in an occasional
advisory role, depending on
your needs.
Our core services include
Forestry Management, Farm
and Sporting Management,
Planning Consultancy,
Architecture, Estate Agency,
House Letting, Accountancy
as well as Minerals and
Renewables advice.
With further divisions acting in
specialist areas, we are able to
pool resources and knowledge,
and all our professionals have
ready access to an enviable
amount of experience,
technical information and
comparables.
People are at the heart of our
business delivering consistently
high standards of professional
service across all departments.
H
ead of Rural Land
Manaement Malcolm
Taylor says: “Bell
Ingram’s reputation is built
on a deep understanding
of our clients requirements
in the rural land sector and
our ability to deliver effective
solutions tailored to clients’
needs.
“At Bell Ingram our staff
pride themselves on a
highly personal approach,
outstanding service and
attention to detail. The high
levels of staff retention also
mean that the firm’s clients
can be sure of dealing
with highly qualified and
experienced people at all
times.
"At Bell Ingram
we believe the best
value is achieved
by quality of
delivery and
attention to
detail. "
Rural Land
Management experts
with 121 years of experience
“Much of our work comes
through recommendations
from satisfied clients and
referrals from business
partners. It’s a terrific
compliment that people are
happy to recommend the
firm and is testament to the
brilliant work done by Bell
Ingram staff.”
Established in 1899, the
firm has a team of 110
professional staff working
across 10 UK offices (Perth,
Aberdeen, Ambleside, Ayr,
Beauly, Forfar, Morpeth,
Northwich, Oban and
Thirsk). n
➤ For more information
about our Rural Land
Management Service
please visit our website
www.bellingram.co.uk/
land-management