Cooke & Arkwright’s Rural Department continues to build upon its traditional disciplines of land management and consultancy. Major contacts include provision of land agency advice to Dwr Cymru Welsh Water in connection with maintenance and improvement of its sewerage infrastructure, and acting as managing agents for The Crown Estate’s marine estate around the coast of Wales. The department also leads on property auctions for the firm.
Since the introduction of Single Farm Payments, there has been renewed impetus for landowners to find alternative uses and income streams for their properties outside of agriculture, including the conversion of agricultural buildings to residential and commercial uses. Working with colleagues in the firm’s Building Consultancy department, the Rural Department has been involved in a number of projects to bring forward residential and tourism developments through the planning system.
Rod Perons MRICS FAAV - Director
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Richard Knight JP FRICS - Consultant
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Simon Lloyd BSc (Hons) MRICS - Associate
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Tel: 01656 644641
Cooke & Arkwright has provided a rural estate management service for clients since the firm was formed over 100 years ago. Today it acts as managing agents for a wide range of both private landowners and public sector bodies. A full service can be provided or one tailored to meet a clients specific needs. In addition consultancy advice can be provided on individual estate management issues that may arise from time to time.
The laws governing landlord and tenant are complex and professional advice is often needed. Cooke & Arkwright deal with landlord and tenant issues on a daily basis and has the experience and expertise that is required. It can advise on all aspects of agricultural lettings including rent reviews, arbitrations, succession claims, dilapidations, tenant right, milk quota apportionments, repairs and improvement scheme. It can also deal with residential lettings and business tenancies linking up to obtain the specialist advice available from other departments in our firm.
Land for road schemes and other public works is often acquired by compulsory purchase. The landowner and others with an interest in the land are entitled to compensation for their loss. Cooke & Arkwright can prepare valuations, deal with statements of claim and undertake negotiations for either claimants or acquiring authorities.
Water, gas, oil and sewerage pipelines traverse the countryside. Often new pipes have to be laid by utilities or commercial promoters. Rights for such pipes are either negotiated for by agreement or acquired using statutory powers. Acting for promoters, Cooke & Arkwright are experienced in carrying out land referencing and undertaking negotiations with landowners to agree heads of terms and in dealing with claims. Acting for landowners/occupiers, we assess claims and pursue settlement for injurious affection and losses suffered.
Valuations are undertaken for loan security purposes, tax and probate, disposals, litigation and other miscellaneous purposes. The valuation reports are prepared in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Cooke & Arkwright acts as agents for vendors dealing with property sales and auctions. The rural department handles land and farms, woodland and other rural property with development opportunities. Cooke & Arkwright will advise on sales process, marketing and price and conduct negotiations or an auction of the property to realise a successful disposal.
Advice can be provided on valuation and sale of quotas and the rules and mechanisms governing disposals. Also negotiations can be undertaken on the apportionments of milk quota between holdings as well as dealing with end of tenancy compensation issues.
Cooke & Arkwright advises clients on planning and development opportunities. The Development Plan process is monitored so that appropriate representations are made at the relevant times working with clients and other professional advisors to promote sites for development. At a smaller level planning applications for conversion of buildings, infill development and for new farm building schemes are dealt with.
There has been a proliferation of Radio masts across the country in recent years to mainly serve the mobile telephone industry. Normally companies prefer to lease sites for these masts from landowners than purchase sites outright. We have wide experience in dealing with these negotiations and can advise on the level of rent and other terms.
Farm subsidies are regulated and controlled under the Single Farm Payment scheme (SFP) which requires farmers to complete an annual return in order to qualify for aid provided they have the necessary entitlements. Advice is provided to farmers about completion of the forms and preparation of the necessary underlying farm plans.