United Kingdom: Land Law & Agriculture

Peter Harker, head of Natural Capital at Saffery, discusses how landowners are navigating the transition from traditional farming subsidies to ecosystem service payments, exploring the opportunities and challenges of biodiversity net gain schemes, carbon credits, and environmental commitments that can span generations. The conversation examines whether natural capital represents a genuine strategic opportunity or simply a replacement income stream...

As sustainability pressures mount and net-zero targets drive demand for carbon offsetting, UK landowners face a significant opportunity to generate income through carbon credit schemes. With the market contributing £1.2 billion to the UK economy in 2025 and carbon credits trading at £25-£35 per tonne, peatland restoration and woodland creation projects offer substantial returns while enhancing biodiversity and environmental protection.

Shooting rights can be valuable rural assets. They are generally granted or reserved out of land, and then may be bought, sold, leased and, in some cases, registered separately from the land. They are also governed by a complex mix of property law, historic rights and modern case law.

The UK Government has published a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that introduces significant changes to planning policy, including new provisions for development around well-connected railway stations, expanded Green Belt exceptions, and stricter density requirements. While retaining much of the consultation version's structure, key modifications have been made to transitional arrangements, plan-making timelines...

Rural landowners face complex legal questions when wild swimmers use their lochs, rivers and reservoirs. With water-related fatalities rising and participation surging, understanding occupier liability duties has become essential for estates, farms and rural businesses managing open water access.

A recent Scottish court case clarifies what property owners must prove to enforce real burdens against their neighbours. The decision examines whether personal feelings about development changes constitute sufficient grounds to block construction, or if objective evidence of material harm to property value or enjoyment is required.

Increasingly, Scotland’s rural businesses are looking to diversify. That can take many forms.

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 has now been passed. It introduces significant changes to the sale of large landholdings, which will now be subject to mandatory lotting decisions...

As winter is coming to a close, before we greet a new spring, we look back at what has been a challenging year for the rural sector.