Humberstone Bank Farm

Transcription

Humberstone Bank Farm
Yorkshire
Water
An invitation to Partner Yorkshire Water
in Humberstone Bank Farm – “Beyond
Nature”
February 2016
Kelda Group | Yorkshire Water | An invitation to Partner Yorkshire Water in Humberstone Bank Farm – “Beyond Nature”
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Contents
Delivering on our promises
Introduction
Invitation overview
Appointment viewings
What are we looking to deliver
Water Environment Objectives
Natural Environment Objectives
Society and Reputational Objectives
Where are we looking to deliver it
Current land use and formal designations
Other important information
Current water quality from this catchment
Why are we looking to deliver it
How we are looking to deliver it
Who are we looking to deliver it with
Is it right for you?
What you don’t need
What we need from you
What’s in it for you?
When are we looking to deliver it
Part 1 – Arrange a viewing on our Open Day
Part 2 - Submitting a proposal
Humberstone Bank Farm – particulars
Upland Entry Level Stewardship (UELS) and Higher Level Stewardship (HLS)
The Tenancy Agreement
Miscellaneous Notes
Proposal submission form
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Delivering on our promises
Better for Yorkshire – Humberstone Bank Farm
a joint partnership project
Introduction
Last year, one of our longstanding agricultural tenants advised that they intended to retire from farming. This
means that we gain vacant possession of Humberstone Bank Farm, a 904 hectares (2,234 acres) site north of
Blubberhouses, North Yorkshire. Having assessed various alternative approaches to Humberstone Bank Farm, we
have decided we would like it to be managed “Beyond Nature”. We believe we cannot do this on our own and
therefore we are inviting individuals and organisations to submit proposals to help us achieve this aim.
Invitation overview
In the first instance, we are seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified parties. Yorkshire Water
Services Ltd. invites expressions of interest to partner YWS in the management of Humberstone Bank Farm, West
End, Summerbridge, near Harrogate in North Yorkshire.
Submissions should be sent to [email protected] or Lisa Harrowsmith, Land & Property Lead
Surveyor North, Yorkshire Water Services, Western House, Haliafx Road, Bradford, BD6 2LZ by 4pm on Friday
8th April 2016
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Your initial proposal should include:• Initial ideas how Humberstone Bank Farm can be managed “Beyond Nature”
• An indication of the cost & resources of working with us to develop such a campaign
• Be clear and measurable, producing tangible outcomes
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Your submission should be submitted on the form at the back of this document
Appointment viewings
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Appointment viewings can be made by request through the Land & Property webpage no later than Monday 29
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February 2016. The Farm Open Day is on Wednesday 2 March 2016.
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What are we looking to deliver
What we are doing – looking at developing an existing site ‘Beyond Nature’
We are looking for a partner that can ensure Humberstone Bank Farm is managed “Beyond Nature” and help us
deliver on our aspirations to maximise the societal benefit from this important part of our estate. We will assess
proposals against this list of potential values to society and our business. The more we can maximise these
benefits the better.
Our preferred option at this site is ambitious and we know we can’t do it on our own. This is why we are inviting
organisations and individuals with an interest in nature and sustainable farming practices to submit proposals to
work with us to ensure Humberstone Bank Farm can be managed “Beyond Nature”.
At Humberstone Bank Farm, whilst protecting water quality remains our primary requirement, we believe this
land can also generate significant value to society, our communities, customers and stakeholders. The farm has
the capability to deliver multiple outcomes, including improved water quality, biodiversity and carbon storage, whilst
still supporting grouse and grazing enterprises. This is “Beyond Nature”.
Water Environment Objectives
Maintain or enhance raw water quality and quantity from the area.
Over 40% of Yorkshire Water's raw water derives from upland catchments, dominated by internationally important
blanket bog habitat, such as this site at Humberstone Bank Farm. Blanket bogs also provide a range of ecosystem
services e.g. food production, carbon storage, water quality and flow attenuation, recreational opportunities for
health and wellbeing, and benefits to the tourism industry.
The blanket bog is a key store of carbon, and must
be properly managed to sequester and lock up
carbon. When some of this carbon is released
(through dissolving in the water passing through the
peat), this is seen as colour in the water (or dissolved
organic carbon - DOC). This must be reduced by
restoring, stabilising and maintaining the peat’s
hydrological regime and keeping the water table as
high as possible.
Fixing the peat – improve the health and functionality
of deep peat soils by:
• Re-wet the moors, raising the water table by blocking grips and gullies, including those developed
underground, via an agreed restoration plan;
• Re-vegetate and stabilise any bare peat with peat forming vegetation;
• Re-introduce peat forming Sphagnum mosses,
… to improve water quality, flow and carbon capture.
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Natural Environment Objectives
Land designated as SSSI:
The 634.77 hectares (1,568.5 acres) of SSSI was in “unfavourable no change” and “unfavourable declining”
condition in 2007, but has since all moved into “Unfavourable recovering” status. The objective is to accelerate the
move into SSSI favourable condition. All works are to be approved by Natural England.
Harden Gill (SSSI Unit 19) – to focus on bracken control
and maintaining the existing trees and their protective
tubes as appropriate. Potentially plant new trees in
clusters or sporadically through the gill.
Hey Slack / Kays / Whams / Low Moor (SSSI Unit 20) –
increase dwarf shrub diversity as it is currently dominated
by Calluna (heather). Control rush cover. Increase /
introduce sphagnum to also increase indicator species,
assisting movement towards Favourable condition.
Pockstones East (SSSI Unit 21) – undertake bare peat
restoration within the area already fenced off for stock
exclusion, and increase vegetation diversity and indicator species in order to provide a resilient ecosystem.
Pockstones West (SSSI Unit 22) – increase vegetation diversity and indicator species. Sphagnum inoculation.
Maintain / restore blanket bog to provide for its characteristic flora and fauna.
Overall:
Restore or enhance the range of ecosystem benefits relevant for each site.
Establish grazing regime and numbers relevant for each habitat.
Optimise wildlife habitats and conserve, manage and enhance populations of key species, including merlin, golden
plover, snipe, curlew, redshank, teal and short-eared owl.
In-bye and rush pastures – undertake rush control and create scrapes to improve and increase habitat for birds
and enhance biodiversity value of the land.
Working with the sporting interest, actively undertake bracken control works, except where such works would be
harmful to wildlife habitats, or would result in erosion.
Manage the areas of felled woodland, which have been replanted with mixed broadleaves, including protecting the
plants against damage and undertake adequate weeding. Any failure or losses must be replaced as necessary to
provide a stocking of not less than 1100 plants per hectare evenly distributed over the site. Woodland areas must
be kept in a stockproof condition. There is no further grant payable for these areas of woodland.
Implement and manage in accordance with the existing Higher Level Stewardship Scheme agreement, which ends
in 2018. Continue to manage under new agri-environment schemes.
Society and Reputational Objectives
Engage with all stakeholders relating to the management and monitoring of the farm.
Raise the public profile of YWS’ land holding at Humberstone Bank Farm, and the wider estate and management
principles.
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Improve the understanding of catchment, moorland and environmentally sustainable land management by actively
demonstrating and promoting through public engagement and education.
Demonstrate that water quality, nature, farming and
shooting can work together with benefits to all –
maximising the following outcomes:
• improved water quality
• carbon storage and capture
• improved biodiversity
• slowed water run-off
• wildfire mitigation
• driven grouse shooting
• economic stock grazing
Support the local rural community and economy (weigh against water quality, conservation and heritage
objectives).
Continue to support public access – most of the land is designated as open country under the Countryside &
Rights of Way (CROW) Act – making it as accessible as possible to all people, whatever their ability or background
but without detriment to the special qualities of the area.
Farmstead Objectives
The farm comprises 2 residential dwellings and a number of traditional stone barns, with some later ‘modern’
additions. These buildings will be the responsibility of the incoming partner. Some buildings may have potential for
alternative uses, to tie in with the future management of the holding. The management and function of the buildings
should be in such a way as to reduce / minimise the environmental impact.
Explore the potential future use of the buildings – could they support some form of educational use linked to the
farms environmental qualities – such as demonstration and training events aimed at the farming community.
Management Principles
Develop a management plan for the farm with YWS, supported by the sporting interest, Nidderdale AONB and
Natural England. This is to incorporate the above objectives and use data provided by the surveys to be
undertaken spring and summer 2016.
Contribute to future monitoring of the site, and the impacts of any management changes – in particular those
impacting on water quality, biodiversity, carbon, grazing and grouse.
Explore the possibility of applying the approach developed by the Results Based Agri-Environment Payment
Scheme programme.
Use Humberstone Bank Farm as a trial area for new and evolving approaches to catchment and upland
management, where appropriate.
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Where are we looking to deliver it
Humberstone Bank Farm, West End, Summerbridge, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 4AX.
Humberstone Bank Farm represents a rare opportunity to farm a large upland livestock unit within the Nidderdale
AONB with the potential for some non-agricultural diversification (subject to appropriate consents and approval
from Yorkshire Water Services Ltd.). The holding is currently managed under a sheep regime but the incorporation
of a limited number of cattle may be permitted subject to seeking prior consent.
Yorkshire Water Services Ltd. wish to see the farm managed extensively under the tenancy and it is a requirement
to take over the existing Higher Level Stewardship scheme, ending in 2018. The incoming tenant is expected to
enter into a new environmental scheme on its expiry.
Size
904 hectares (2,234 acres).
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Current land use and formal designations
Upland farm consisting of:
• 622.3 hectares (1,537.7 acres) SSSI moorland, also Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Special Area of
Conservation (SAC).
• 245.08 hectares (605.6 acres) of “in-bye” and rough grazing.
• 36.62 hectares (90.5 acres) woodland shelterbelts and SSSI gill woodland.
Current buildings
• 2 x 3 bedroom properties.
• Range of farm buildings.
Other information
• 80 year occupation by existing tenant family coming to an end when the tenants retire.
• Shooting rights owned privately.
• The farm is subject to a 10 year Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme.
• The land is part of our SSSI Recovery Project, with ongoing land management works to maintain and
enhance the SSSI condition status.
Current water quality from this catchment
Our primary reason for owning and managing our catchments is to stabilise and improve raw water colour.
Inappropriate management of blanket bog can lead to increased colour in the water which costs our customers
more to treat. It also causes erosion of internationally important habitats.
This farm is within the direct catchment of Thruscross reservoir. Along with Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs further
downstream, these reservoirs are an essential source of water for the population of Leeds. It is important, therefore
that we manage the catchment to ensure the water quality flowing off the moors is not compromised through
inappropriate management. For example overgrazing of livestock can lead to compaction, erosion and an
increased bacteriological risk; equally intensification of burning to encourage the growth of heather for grouse can
cause damage to the underlying peat, which in turn increases the amount of colour (dissolved organic carbon DOC) in the water. If this DOC is not fully removed in the treatment process, it can lead to the formation of harmful
disinfection by-products.
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Why are we looking to deliver it
Yorkshire Water is one of the largest landowners in Yorkshire. We own around 70,000 acres, the majority of which
is ‘non-operational’, where the primary purpose of ownership has been for catchment purposes; by owning the land
we can influence the way it is managed, with a view to maintaining the quality of the water flowing off the land and
into our reservoirs.
Our Company vision is ‘Taking responsibility for the
water environment for good’ – it’s the driving force
behind everything we do. The long-term sustainability
of water is fundamental to the long term sustainability
of our business and, as one of the largest landowners
in Yorkshire, this includes the responsible management
of our land and waters.
Whilst protecting water quality remains our primary
requirement for the non-operational estate, we believe our land has the potential to generate significant value to
society, our communities, customers and stakeholders. We are keen to explore how we might maximise the
societal benefit of our land and we are looking for partners to help us do this. We are beginning to look at each
piece of land we own and working out what we need to do to allow us to maximise the societal benefit. In doing
this we are considering a number of factors, including the various designations that apply to our land (much of our
land is designated as SSSI) and the other interests, such as leases, licences and third-party shooting rights.
We recognise that the uplands, such as the land at Humberstone Bank Farm, has the capability to deliver multiple
outcomes, including improved water quality, biodiversity and carbon storage, whilst still supporting grouse and
grazing enterprises. We now have a great opportunity to demonstrate these outcomes in practice. This is “Beyond
Nature”.
We would like to invite you to explore this opportunity with us. We’re really looking forward to working with you to
develop innovative ideas as to how Humberstone Bank Farm can be managed “Beyond Nature”.
How we are looking to deliver it
To help us decide how we can maximise the value of our estate, we developed a process to assess the best value
option for any piece of our land. We have identified the following different values a piece of land might have:
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Cultural (Neighbourliness - aesthetic, landscape, nuisance, heritage)
Reputation
Social cohesion (supporting jobs, homes and businesses)
Water quality
Business risk avoidance (e.g. H&S, contamination)
Biodiversity
Recreation
Water attenuation and resources (including flood management)
Resource production (food/timber/energy)
Climate regulation (including carbon sequestration)
Financial value
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In addition to looking at the various values, it is important to consider the various designations and other interests
that apply to our land, including:
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Legal restrictions, e.g. restrictive covenants preventing certain activities
Leases/licences, e.g. tenancies granted by YW
Statutory planning, e.g. AONB or National Park designations.
In considering alternative approaches to Humberstone Bank Farm, we considered options against the list of
values. We also took account of the various designations that apply to Humberstone Bank Farm (such as the
SSSI designation) and the other interests that exist (such as the shooting rights, etc.).
Taking all of the above into account, we decided Humberstone Bank Farm should be managed “Beyond Nature”.
Who are we looking to deliver it with
We are inviting interested parties to put forward their proposal as to how we can develop existing catchment areas
Beyond Nature. This is part of our ongoing commitment to look at doing things differently and investing in our water
environment to achieve maximum societal value.
Yorkshire Water Services Ltd. wish the successful applicant to be able to demonstrate their ability to integrate a
well managed business, good husbandry skills and compliance with Catchment Protection Guidelines and the
prescriptions of any agri-environmental scheme entered into (following consultation), together with an ability to
work in conjunction with the shooting owner and public access.
Is it right for you?
Please note that we are putting out this invitation to those who wish to enhance and/or improve the water
environment in which this land sits. Proposals will not be accepted where this is not a fundamental consideration
and we would ask those interested to seriously consider the implications of their plan before submitting it.
What you don’t need
You do not need to have financial backing in order to submit a proposal. Equally you do not need to be a business
owner or from the region in order to submit a proposal. All parties, irrespective of background are encouraged to
apply, whether you are an existing business looking to further your green credentials or a farmer with an innovative
idea on how to manage this moorland.
What we need from you
We have created a simple self-assessment form to understand the opportunities that your idea may provide to
Yorkshire Water and the local community. From this we will draw up a shortlist and successful applicants will be
invited back for an interview to discuss their opportunity for the site further.
What’s in it for you?
You need to be passionate about your local community and have a good understanding of the local region. As one
of the biggest landowners in the region, we have a responsibility to look after it for future generations and it has to
support our commitment to water quality.
If we decide to take you on, we will work with you and other parties that we feel will be best suited to bring the
approved concept to life. There may be commercial opportunities dependent on the nature of the venture
proposed, but this will not be the main focus for our decision and we will be in talks with local stakeholders
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throughout the process to ensure any project is fair, transparent and supports the local environment in which it
serves.
This provides a unique opportunity to work with Yorkshire Water on creating a project that has the potential to
benefit the local population for generations to come. As such, all proposals should focus on the environmental gain
rather than financial gain.
When are we looking to deliver it
Part 1 – Arrange a viewing on our Open Day
Next Steps
Interested parties can arrange a viewing on our open day to learn more about the site and the surroundings it sits
within. We encourage those to attend this before submitting a proposal. If you would like to attend the open day,
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please send a request via the Land & Property webpage no later than Monday 29 February 2016. The Farm
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Open Day is on Wednesday 2 March 2016.
Yorkshire Water reserves the right to cancel/amend the date of the open day at any point.
Please ensure you meet the following criteria before arranging a viewing.
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You have an active interest in sustainable issues
You have an idea which is sympathetic to the surroundings in which this project is contained
You believe your idea can support the existing ecology of the site
You can commit to supporting the idea yourself in some shape or form
(this does not have to be financial at this stage)
5. You would be willing to attend an interview should your idea be shortlisted for consideration
6. You should have a solid understanding and/or experience in land management.
Deadline
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Requests to attend by Monday 29 February 2016.
Part 2 - Submitting a proposal
Please ensure you have met our criteria guidelines for the open day before submitting your idea for consideration.
We do not require you to have attended the open day in order to submit a proposal.
Deadline
Submissions should be sent by email or post by 4pm on Friday 8th April 2016 to:
[email protected] or
Lisa Harrowsmith
Land & Property Lead Surveyor North
Yorkshire Water Services
Western House
Haliafx Road
Bradford
BD6 2LZ
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Humberstone Bank Farm – Particulars
Humberstone Bank Farm, West End, Summerbridge, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 4AX
Description
The holding comprises in the region of 904 hectares (2,234 acres) of upland, which includes 622.30 hectares
(1,537.7 acres) SSSI moorland (also designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Special Area of
Conservation (SAC)) and approximately 245.08 hectares (605.6 acres) of in-bye and rough grazing. There is
approximately 24.15 hectares (59.7 acres) of woodland / shelter belt and 12.47 hectares (30.8 acres) of SSSI gill
woodland included within the holding. The SSSI is currently in ‘Unfavourable Recovering’ condition. The majority of
the farm lies within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with 140 hectares (346 acres) within the
Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Upland Entry Level Stewardship (UELS) and Higher Level Stewardship (HLS)
The incoming tenant will be required to take over the existing HLS – upland grassland and moorland, which runs
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until 31 January 2018, and enter into negotiations with Natural England for an application into a new Countryside
Stewardship Scheme. The existing schemes create an annual income of approximately £58,000.
Buildings
Farmhouse & Cottage – typical York stone farmhouse and cottage.
YWS are to undertake works to install a dpc and central heating to the farmhouse, along with enlarging and
installing a new fitted kitchen.
Stone Building & Barn – detached stone buildings and barn of stone roof and wall construction.
Stone Barn 1 – large barn of stone roof and wall construction. Open fronted cement sheeting to front.
Shed – extension on to stone barn – timber frame, blockwork walls with sheets above and sheet roof.
Long Building – open fronted barn with cement sheet roofing and stone walls to sides and rear.
Stone Barn 2 – small barn with stone walls with mono pitch roof covered with cement sheet roofing.
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Stone Barn 3 – large barn of stone roof and wall construction.
Stone Workshop & Store – single and two storey buildings attached to the Farmhouse. Stone roof and wall
construction.
Rear yard shed – open fronted shed with sheet roofing, between stone barns, with dry stone wall to rear.
Stone Equipment Store – detached barn of stone roof and wall construction.
Stone Outbuilding (Old Wc) – small detached WC. Stone roof and wall construction.
Wood Store (adj. to Cottage) – small two storey building attached to Cottage. Stone roof and wall construction.
Stone Building in Walled Garden – small detached building. Stone roof and wall construction.
Stone Building (Sheep Dip) – small detached barn. Stone wall construction with sheet roofing.
Livestock shed – built onto the above. Timber framed.
The Tenancy Agreement
The type of agreement to be put in place will depend on the proposal and successful applicant(s). However,
applicants should appreciate that Yorkshire Water Services Ltd. is reliant upon the management of this land for
reservoir Catchment Protection purposes. Thus the tenancy agreement will take this into account and agricultural
restrictions will be imposed for this purpose. Further restrictions are imposed under the Higher Level Stewardship
scheme (and any new Countryside Stewardship Scheme to which the new tenant is expected to apply prior to the
expiry of the HLS in January 2018).
Furthermore, the tenant should appreciate that a private shooting owner has rights over the land and as such
consultation will be required over and above that required with the landlord.
Term
The holding is offered as a whole and it is anticipated that the new letting will be for a minimum term of 10 years.
Valuation & Entitlements
There will be no tenant right valuation or dilapidations claim made upon entry.
Applicants must assume that there will be no payment made to the outgoing tenant for tenant right and no payment
received for dilapidations.
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Items to be considered by negotiation between the incoming tenant and the outgoing tenant are the entitlements.
The negotiation of value for such items will take place between the outgoing and the incoming tenant after the
successful applicant has been confirmed.
Boundaries
The successful applicant will be expected to maintain in a sound tenantable and stock proof order all internal and
external fences and current stock proof walls on the holding – as marked with an inward facing ‘T’ on the tenancy
plan.
The tenancy agreement will provide that all field boundaries which are the responsibility of the tenant and that are
at present walled, shall remain so, unless declared redundant, and this liability will fall upon the tenant. It will be a
condition of the tenancy that no walls, redundant or otherwise, may be removed from the land.
Repairs
The tenant will be responsible for all repairs to the holding.
Outgoings
All outgoings, including Council Tax, will be payable by the tenant. The two properties have been valued as Band
D by Harrogate Borough Council for Council Tax purposes.
Husbandry
The incoming tenant will be expected to demonstrate that the incoming flock are free from any disease and have
been treated before they are brought onto the holding.
In connection with this Yorkshire Water Services Ltd. reserve the right to arrange inspection of the incoming
animals before they arrive at the holding. The right is also reserved to refuse access to the holding of any
infected/diseased stock.
The incoming tenant is expected to recognise that a private shooting owner has the sporting rights over the farm.
In management terms the implications would be to try and avoid the use of vehicles off the roads/tracks on the
moor during the grouse breeding season and the incoming tenant would be expected to agree with the shooting
owner dates for gathering.
Stocking levels are prescribed under the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme, and may be reviewed under a new
Countryside Stewardship agreement.
Public Access
All of the moorland is Open Access land.
Miscellaneous Notes
Yorkshire Water Services Ltd. gives notice that:
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The particulars are set out as a general outline for guidance of intending lessees and do not constitute part of an offer or contract.
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All descriptions, dimensions, references to condition and necessary permissions for use and occupation are given in good faith and are
believed to be correct but any intending Tenant should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact and must satisfy
him/herself by personal inspection or otherwise of the correctness of each item.
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No responsibility can be accepted for any expense incurred by an applicant in inspecting the property and preparing submissions,
irrespective of whether it is let or withdrawn.
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Proposal Submission Form
Humberstone Bank Farm Partnership
Submissions should include the following subjects and address the points/questions listed. You may wish to
provide more information where you feel it would be helpful.
Applicant Information
Names / Organisation:
Address:
Town:
Landline Phone:
County:
Post Code:
Mobile:
Email address:
Vision
We would like to see a clear vision, which is specific to the farm and what the partnership will achieve over the
relevant period of time.
Introduction
In brief, what is the scope of your proposal?
What key benefits do you envisage your proposals will bring in terms of achieving YWS objectives?
Please summarise your key objectives for management of the farm.
Briefly summarise the expertise you (and your partners) would bring, illustrating this with examples, outlining your
competence in the subject areas below. What practical experience do you have of managing an upland farm?
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Conservation and Wildlife Habitats
How will the proposal conserve & enhance the interest features of the SSSI/SPA/SAC?
What plans do you have for monitoring natural environment features including biodiversity, carrying out scientific
work and encouraging research interests?
How would you respond to climate change in terms of adaptation and mitigation, including your approach to wider
ecosystem services (such as carbon storage and water quality)?
Farming
How do you see sheep & cattle (or other livestock) grazing fitting into your plans?
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Local Economy
What would your objectives be for supporting the local economy?
Communication Plan
Please outline your communication plan, including target audiences, key messages, methods of engagement, etc.,
to include:
Stakeholder engagement – How would you propose to engage with the different stakeholders to the farm?
Education – How would you improve education on catchment and upland management?
Management / Structure
Please describe the management structure you propose for the farm to achieve all of the above, including the
details of governance, accountability and decision making. Who would you propose has the responsibility for
management decisions (a) overall and (b) on a day-to-day basis?
We are assuming that a lease would be a suitable agreement. What would be the proposed time frame for a lease
and any conditions you may wish to include?
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Wider Partnership
How would you develop the partnership approach to the farm with YWS, to include the sporting owner and other
key stakeholders?
Resources
Financial
What would your financial contribution to the farm be?
Would this include a rental payable to YWS?
Capital assets
Would you envisage proposals for any new capital developments and if so, what would be your rationale and
means of delivery?
Appendices
Please provide copies of any supporting documents relevant to this expression of interest.
Signature
Signature of applicant:
Date:
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