Last week the government announced a consultation on changes to the subsidy system for large scale solar projects of over 5MW capacity which would equate to a site of about 30 acres. Originally it was planned that the current subsidy system which is involves so called Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) was going to be phased out by 2017 but the latest proposal is to phase out ROCs for the large scale developments by 31st March 2015.
I suspect the primary reason for this is that there has been a huge expansion in solar development and as the general public have started to see these projects popping up in the countryside, support for such projects has started to dwindle.
The initial phase of the fund was worth up to £5000, but towards the end of April the government announced that the level of grant would be increased to £35,000 and the deadline for making an application was also extended 27 June 2014.
The government has committed £10m to this fund and it is understood money is still available and so farmers are urged to consider making a claim. The initial claim process was quite onerous but it is understood the requirements have been relaxed to some extent to make it more practical to make a claim.
It should also be understood that if a farmer has already made a successful claim under the first phase of the grant process, he or she is still eligible to make a claim under the second phase up to a cumulative total of £35,000.
The grant is aimed at the cost of restoring flood affected land back to agricultural production and concentrates on four key areas. These include the restoration of productive grassland, the restoration of productive arable and horticultural land, restoring farm vehicle access to fields and improvements to agricultural drainage.
Therefore the cost of employing a contractor to sort out damaged soil structure and re-seed the land with a perennial grass seed mix would be eligible for grant aid.
It seems likely that many farmers have decided to just get on with restoring their land to production without making an application for grant aid but Rural Surveyor, Arthur Chambers from Carter Jonas’ Wells office, “Urges farmers to consider taking advantage of any funding which may be available to help those affected by the wettest winter on record”
Arthur goes on to say, “This is an opportunity which should not be missed and with only a month before the grant scheme closes, anyone interested in making a claim is encouraged to contact their preferred agent.” Arthur can be contacted on 01749 677667.
I suspect the primary reason for this is that there has been a huge expansion in solar development and as the general public have started to see these projects popping up in the countryside, support for such projects has started to dwindle.
The initial phase of the fund was worth up to £5000, but towards the end of April the government announced that the level of grant would be increased to £35,000 and the deadline for making an application was also extended 27 June 2014.
The government has committed £10m to this fund and it is understood money is still available and so farmers are urged to consider making a claim. The initial claim process was quite onerous but it is understood the requirements have been relaxed to some extent to make it more practical to make a claim.
It should also be understood that if a farmer has already made a successful claim under the first phase of the grant process, he or she is still eligible to make a claim under the second phase up to a cumulative total of £35,000.
The grant is aimed at the cost of restoring flood affected land back to agricultural production and concentrates on four key areas. These include the restoration of productive grassland, the restoration of productive arable and horticultural land, restoring farm vehicle access to fields and improvements to agricultural drainage.
Therefore the cost of employing a contractor to sort out damaged soil structure and re-seed the land with a perennial grass seed mix would be eligible for grant aid.
It seems likely that many farmers have decided to just get on with restoring their land to production without making an application for grant aid but Rural Surveyor, Arthur Chambers from Carter Jonas’ Wells office, “Urges farmers to consider taking advantage of any funding which may be available to help those affected by the wettest winter on record”
Arthur goes on to say, “This is an opportunity which should not be missed and with only a month before the grant scheme closes, anyone interested in making a claim is encouraged to contact their preferred agent.” Arthur can be contacted on 01749 677667.
James Stephen MRICS FAAV
Partner
Rural Practice Chartered Surveyor, Wells
T: 01749 683381
E: james.stephen@carterjonas.co.uk
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