Alpacas and Planning Permission

Using alpacas to gain planning permission for a dwelling

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

In 2011 we gained full planning for a four bedroom house on our land here in West Dorset. Located in what is designated as An Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we purchased some bare agricultural grazing land that had no infrastructure at all; no buildings, fences or utilities. We were first granted permission to build a large barn and live for three years in a temporary dwelling (log cabin) and show the council that we could earn an agricultural wage in one of the next three years. At the end of this period we applied for a house and were granted it. We then submitted a planning application for the log cabin to remain as a holiday let and we also applied for a second large barn. All applications were passed. 

Our alpaca breeding herd that we run as a business was the catalyst for us obtaining this agricultural planning for our log cabin, barns and house. Pedigree alpaca farming is one of the very few farming enterprises that can earn significant returns from small acreages and can justify the need for a house to be built in the countryside due to the fact that the owner of the alpacas has valid reasons for needing to live on site to care for their stock. 

Owners of an alpaca breeding herd that is run as a business can apply for a temporary agricultural workers dwelling (log cabin) and permanent barn if they meet these three basic criteria:

1. Sound financial business plan whereby the herd is large enough to produce stock for sale in the third year of the the three year temporary dwelling opportunity.
2. Functional need for living on site. To run a breeding herd of alpacas as a business, alpacas need constant attention due to birthing and all aspects of care and husbandry. 
3. Landscape impact. So long as the buildings (log cabin and barn) do not have a significant impact on the landscape then this criteria should be satisfied. 

A temporary agricultural dwelling is usually granted for a period of three years by a council. Sometimes this can be four or five years, but three years is the most common time period for the applicant to show they can make income equivalent to an agricultural workers income in one of the three years. If the applicant does make the income by selling breeding stock, they can apply to either keep the log cabin in situ and make it permanent or apply to build a house if the financial means allow for the house to be built. 

Summary:

• Alpacas qualify as livestock for rural agricultural planning
• This can be achieved on land as little as 10 acres
• If three criteria are met then one can have three years to live in a temporary log cabin and aim earn an agricultural workers wage on one of these three years
• When this is achieved then it opens the way for a new application to keep the log cabin permanently or build a house

We did not do this alone, we had the invaluable help from Mr. Marc Willis of Willis and Co. planning consultants based in Chippenham, Wiltshire. Marc is a planning consultant that has the most experience in the UK at assisting those looking to apply for rural planning based on alpaca farming. Marc’s details are:

Willis and Co.
Chartered Town Planners
30 The Causeway
Chippenham
Wiltshire
SN15 3DB

Willis & Company (Town Planning) Limited, Registered in England No. 3648401

T: 01249 444975
E: willisplan@aol.com
W: www.willisand.co.uk

Please be aware that gaining planning permission for an agricultural workers dwelling and barn this way is not guaranteed and each application and set of circumstances are different and therefore the criteria required may not be met.

If you would like to hear more about how we obtained planning permission and how we have helped many other people start their alpaca business and obtain planning permission in conjunction with Willis Plan, then please give Tim a call on 07875532827 or email at timhey@accoyo-europe.com

Thank you.