Welcome to the Summer edition of the Fisher German Banbury & Thame eNewsletter. The fine weather we have experienced throughout June and July has accompanied definite signs of an upturn in the economy and a gradual return of confidence within the country. This renewed feeling of optimism is certainly reflected in the work we are doing with enquiry levels being at a high level across all sectors.

We hope you enjoy this edition and that you will contact any one of the contributors if we can help with any of your property related queries.

Robert Russell, Banbury Office Partner

Stephen Rutledge, Thame Office Partner

DEFRA Ministers have now released details on the implementation of greening measures in 2015.

Farmers with more than 15 hectares of arable land must designate 5% of their arable area as an Ecological Focus Area (EFA). Currently there are five options including fallow land, buffer strips, catch/cover crops, nitrogen fixing crops and hedgerows, each carrying different weighting to convert the option to a hectare equivalent. The new rules apply from 1st January 2015, and so crops drilled this autumn need to comply with both the Crop Diversification and EFA requirements.

If your farm is under existing Environmental Stewardship, with the agreement commencing on or after 1st January 2012, you will not be able to ‘double count’ any options. Agreements for ELS or Organic ELS commencing before 1st January 2012 will be unaffected. Equally HLS agreements will be unaffected, and the relevant options in the HLS agreement can be counted towards the EFA.

Contact David Kinnersley or Will Taylor

Our agents have been meeting with HS2 throughout the early stages of the design process to try and get the best possible deal for our clients. This early engagement has led to HS2 being aware of the specific issues affecting our clients and we are confident that it will result in better overall mitigation for them.

We have gained acceptance of a number of properties for purchase by HS2 through the Exceptional Hardship Scheme and service of Blight Notices. Elsewhere we are undertaking negotiations for purchase of properties that fall outside of the statutory assistance available to property owners and occupiers. This is helping to relieve the stress and uncertainty associated with the scheme by giving owners an exit strategy ahead of the formal compulsory purchase process.

Contact Jonathan Perks or Stephen Rutledge