Tag: farmers news

Falls from height is one of the most common causes of death and injury on farms. Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a press release stating it intends to increase visits to farms across the country throughout winter 2023 and into spring 2024 to focus on this continuing issue.

Autumn and winter are traditionally a time when farms may need to carry out building maintenance, e.g. repairing leaking roofs or replacing ineffective rainwater goods. This always brings some level of risk and it’s critical to always think carefully about the job first. Before carrying out any work at height, stop and think:

• Ask yourself if there is an alternative method which avoids working at height – do as much as you can from the ground, e.g. use extending equipment to clear gutters.
• Use a professional contractor with the knowledge, skills, equipment and experience to safely work at height on buildings, roofs and structures.
• In all cases, make sure the work is planned and carried out by people with the right training and equipment – for example, trained and experienced people using a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) or scaffold.
• Don’t be tempted to use the wrong equipment. Lifting on the forks or bucket of a telehandler or forklift truck is illegal, as is walking or working on fragile roof materials.

Unsafe work at height really is not worth the risk so make sure that all risks are controlled on your farm. You have been warned!

Please refer to the Farmwise, your essential guide to health and safety in agriculture found here.

If you would like some help and assistance on how best to improve your agricultural buildings or you require a building surveying, then please contact Robert Franklin, Head of Architecture & Building Surveying.

The Government has launched a consultation on the Oxford to Cambridge Arc which is aimed to inform their approach and vision to the future of the Arc. The consultation will run for 12 weeks from 20^th July to 12^th October 2021.

The Spatial Framework, which will be produced over the next two years, will set out the master vision for the Arc and will have the same weight in planning terms as the National Planning Policy Framework. This means that all of the Local Planning Authorities within the Arc will have to comply with this document when drawing up their own individual local planning policy.

The consultation covers the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire and is the first of three consultations. Whilst the final Spatial Framework will not make site allocations, it will recommend areas for growth and will guide the Local Plans and investment decisions through to 2050.

The Government believes that the Spatial Framework will allow them to plan for growth in a way that:

• makes the area a better place to live and work for all;
• leaves a long-term legacy by protecting and enhancing the Arc’s built and natural

environment and beautiful places; and

• helps combat and build resilience to climate change.

In addition, the Government has announced a new expert panel to advise on sustainable economic and housing growth in the Arc. The panel’s primary area of focus is between Bedford and Cambridge where the Government is examining opportunities to bring forward well designed, inclusive and sustainable places.

It is important to make your voice heard in the preparation of the Spatial Framework, as it will guide many planning decisions over the next 20 years, even with changes in central and local Government. Please click here to have your say on the Oxford to Cambridge Arc. The link will take you to the online platform with set consultation questions.

If you require more information on the Oxford to Cambridge Arc, please visit the Government website here. If you would like to speak to one of our Rural Property & Business experts about the Oxford to Cambridge Arc and potential impacts it could have on your land, please call 01234 352201 and ask to speak to Andrew Jenkinson or Polly Sewell.