[gsc]

Following on from my post about planning permission on 2 acres, I'm wondering at what point we would/could be considered a smallholding.

I was thinking of getting some hens until the potential planning problems cropped up about everything else.

I abandoned the idea but now I'm wondering whether I should go ahead and just maybe getting registered as a smallholding might help.

I'm told being even a registered smallholding has no legal definition as regards planning consent but it certainly makes the planner go 'mmmm not sure about that' whenever I mention it.

[Nails]

I think you need a CHP number, that would make you a smallholding, as for the legal side for planning etc i would have no idea!

[gsc]

I think you need a CHP number, that would make you a smallholding

Is it as simple as that?  I just register?  or do I have to meet certain criteria as regards livestock?

[sunshineband]

No I don't think there are criteria for a range of livestock before you can be considered a small holding, otherwise you could never be a vegan smallholder 

[Nails]

No just ring Defra and ask for a number, you need this number before you get live stock.
Just because you have a number doesn't mean you need live stock its there if at any time you do, and by live stock i meean the 4 legged variety, not the 2 lol you have to register with Defra if you have over 50 birds, but not if you only have a handful.
Defra's number is on the web site. www.defra.gov.uk i think:)

[gsc]

Vegan smallerholder?  Now there's a thought  Wonder what the council would have to say about that.

Anyone got any ideas about applying online to register or where to download the forms?

Edit:  Thanks Nails (our posts crossed)

[sunshineband]

I know you have to register wuth DEFRA and the forms are quite long 

You could try some time with Google and see what you come up with. Or check the DEFRA website

[Nails]

Just ring Defra mon-fri no forms to fill out, just personal details, name address etc, they sometimes give you the number over the phone, they will ask waht you are intending to keep, just say Sheep, if you want different things you just ring them and let them know.
they will send you books etc for moving animals etc just store them away. Only done this a few weeks ago for my daughter when she got a couple of sheep for her back yead!!!! She is now classed as a small holding.

[gsc]

Thanks Nails - was struggling to find anything online

[Nails]

No problems glad i was able to help.

[joyfull]

I think your plot has to be at least 1/2 acre to be classed as a small holding so you are well over that 

[Nails]

No it doesn't Joyfull, my daughter just rung up and they gave her a number, she has no where near 1/2 acre, they just gave her the number over the phone!

[joyfull]

oh must have changed then 

[gsc]

No it doesn't Joyfull, my daughter just rung up and they gave her a number, she has no where near 1/2 acre, they just gave her the number over the phone!

That's interesting although I wonder if it will hold much sway with the planners if anyone can get a number.

What does your daughter have Nails, and what will she do with it?

[GrannieAnnie]

We are a smallholding on half an acre.  Although you have to register with DEFRa if you have over 50 chickens, you can still register with less than that.

When we first moved here we had 2 goats, so Brian called DEFRA, but we were already a smallholding at our previous house with only a fifth of an acre!  They gave us a Holding or CPH number, then for the goats we have a herd number and for the chickens we have a flock number.  But now we only have the chickens! Then we just let them know if our numbers go over a certain amount.

It's very easily done and doesn't take long!

Good luck with your 2 acres!  Don't let them grind you down.  We HATE planning officers and councils!!!!  They are a pain in the butt.