Laurence Associates at the CLA Southwest AGM
Our Planning Director, Liz Alexander, attended the CLA Southwest AGM this week, following Laurence Associates becoming a member of the Country Land and Business Association.
With our planning work spanning the Southwest, particularly supporting rural landowners and development projects, becoming a member of the CLA provides a valuable opportunity to stay connected with the issues affecting the rural sector and the people working within it.
The AGM was a great opportunity for Liz to catch up with fellow members, hear more about the current pressures facing farmers and landowners and learn more about the work the CLA is doing to support rural businesses across the region.
A working farm with an interesting story
The event was held at Hawke Barn near Tiverton, which forms part of Thorne Farm, a working organic farm.
The Hawke family purchased the farm in 2012 and have since transformed the traditional threshing barn into a beautiful wedding venue. Other farm buildings have also been converted to provide holiday accommodation, creating new uses for the existing agricultural buildings while retaining their connection to the wider farm.
Members also had the opportunity to tour another part of the business, visiting the state of the art facilities where Nigel Thorne, a Grand National winning jockey, trains around 50 thoroughbred racehorses.
The visit provided an interesting insight into the different ways rural businesses can evolve and diversify, as well as the opportunities and challenges that come with managing and developing rural land and buildings.
Supporting rural landowners across the Southwest
The AGM was a valuable opportunity to better understand the current landscape for farmers and rural landowners and to connect with others working across the sector.
With offices in Truro and Exeter, Laurence Associates is well placed to provide planning and development advice to rural landowners across Cornwall, Devon and the wider Southwest.
Whether you are considering the diversification of an existing farm business, the reuse of rural buildings or a new development opportunity, our planning team can provide advice from the early stages of a project through to planning submission.
If you are considering a rural planning or development project, get in touch with our team to discuss how we can help.
Truro: 01872 225 259
Exeter: 01392 979 135
Email: hello@laurenceassociates.co.uk
