Farm Diversification

[Electric_Andy]

Hi all,

some advice/ideas wanted please.

My Father's friend owns a farm and has a common story; kids have moved to work in London and Farmer has had enough of farming. He's thinking of turning it into some sort of adventure place. I suggested a downhill MTB track, and/or Segway course. He has also considered Ostrich Farming (!) but I tend to think an adventure-themed place would be better as there is nothing else like it within a 50 mile radius (apart from public woods of course, most of which have no dedicated MTB tracks), and also there would be no issues with buying and selling animals which at certain times can be unstable.

Can anyone direct me to the regs/requirements for starting something like a MTB course? Does anyone own such a place, or looked into starting one up?

Thanks in advance

 

[sight-pin]

No idea about "regs/requirements" etc, But if the farm is big enough, how about also looking into opening Clay pigeon shooting, Paintballing, Air Rifle shooting range, and a Cafe...... With the MTB their will be so much on offer, it should take off i would think.

 

[Electric_Andy]

Thanks for the ideas, but it's within National Park boundary so I think any form of regular shooting would be an issue. Air rifle and paintball would be good, but I think he wants something that can be manned by a couple of people only. I only suggested MTBing because once you pay and are on the track, it doesn't (I don't think) need anyone to supervise. The tracks I've been to in Auckland were basically hand over your money, read a very brief safety sheet and off you go.

The land is all fairly open (not much woodland) so I was thinking more landscaped jumps and wooden structures for the advanced stuff.

 

[Markymark]

A massive car park for park and ride. Maybe a McDonald's too.

 

[numbnuts]

Dig a lake for trout fishing

 

[Electric_Andy]

Dig a lake for trout fishing

There's already one nearby, but I will suggest it thanks

 

[snorri]

on thoughts of

Thanks for the ideas, but it's within National Park boundary so I think any form of regular shooting would be an issue.

Any activity other than traditional farming is likely to be an issue within a National Park. I would suggest finding out just what the Park authority would consider permissible before spending any time on thoughts of diversification.

 

[Spinney]

Grow maize and have a Maize Maze every year...

 

[Dirk]

Caravan Club 'Certified Location' site?

 

[AndyRM]

on thoughts of
Any activity other than traditional farming is likely to be an issue within a National Park. I would suggest finding out just what the Park authority would consider permissible before spending any time on thoughts of diversification.

Exactly this. Part of the National Park's remit is to conserve them. I'd be surprised if you were allowed to do much beyond what's already been sanctioned, though I could be wrong.

 

[Electric_Andy]

Buckfast

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Cannabis.

 

[AndyRM]

Buckfast

Turn it into a massive bar...

 

[Dave 123]

Vineyard
Chilli farm
Rent it out

My wife's uncle has a farm in S Devon, exactly the same story, kids not interested and Rob's back has gone too! They got rid of the dairy herd, converted all the milking parlours etc to holiday accommodation. They have a dog training/agility course and a small beef herd, chickens, and a certain alpaca or two. All the arable is out to contract.

 

[Dave 123]

[QUOTE 3939564, member: 45"]In Devon?

Put some of these in...

[/QUOTE]


Tried to do this in the South Hams back in the 1990's with some land we owned. The council are bar stewards who won't let you do anything. It's one of the reasons why I moved away!