06/03/07
A new tax being proposed by the Treasury will strangle enterprise
and further constrain the provision of affordable housing in the
countryside, says the Country Land and Business Association.
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Wales Director Julian Salmon who is based in Presteigne is concerned
that rural Wales, its economy, communities, and environment, will
be disproportionately hit by the introduction of Planning Gain
Supplement.
“The provision of affordable rural housing, small scale diversification
projects and those wanting to change the use of agricultural land
could be seriously hindered by the introduction of the Planning
Gain Supplement (PGS). The CLA is fundamentally opposed to this
proposed tax,” said Mr. Salmon.
“Under current proposals, those wanting to convert barns
to new uses which are to be let or to change the use of land from
an agricultural field to equine use, would be expected to pay a
tax. Those hardest hit would be small scale developments such as
those converting farm buildings for small diversification projects.
“The best security for rural areas is a successful and sustainable
rural economy allied with a flexible and integrated planning system
with policies that all pull in the same direction.
" Whilst the Welsh Assembly Government encourages agriculture
to diversify, this proposed policy from the Treasury will hinder
it. We cannot afford to have two opposing messages coming from
Government. PGS is a costly and complex tax that will hinder rural
enterprise and development.”
TAN 6 which deals with rural diversification and affordable rural
housing in light of the decline in the agricultural sector is currently
under review.
The response deadline to the “Making Changes to Planning
Obligations – a PGS consultation” issued by the Department
for Communities and Local Government was 28 February 2007.
The full CLA response is available at the Planning and Housing
section on the CLA website www.cla.org.uk
 Farmland price growth trebles to record levels
Farmland prices soar to highest levels
RICS UK housing market survey, June 2006 |
