News - Townsend Chartered Surveyors

Hugh Townsend has for over 25 years been the country's "go-to" commentator on farm quotas and rural surveying issues affecting farmers. Having become the country's leading and most innovative quota agent he was broadcast to 3.8 million listeners on Radio 4's PM programme interviewed by Eddie Mayer on the 1st April 2015 – the Dawning of Europe without Milk Quotas, click here. More recently BBC1 interviewed Hugh Townsend on the future of farming following the Referendum, click here.

Hugh Townsend has over the years developed the most creative arrangements to promote an efficient market in farm quotas, in the early eighties developing leasing milk quota without land before the Milk Marketing Board introduced leasing for a part of the milk year.

He represented clients in leading legal cases defending transfers of milk quota and developed the new system of second TQ1 forms protecting the transfer of quotas with land.

In 1991, with Farmers Weekly he produced the first sale price index countrywide and started to publish farm quota sales and leasing graphs which are still published by Farmers Weekly and other publications and can be seen on our Milk Quota & Entitlements pages.

On BBC television he has defended dairy farmers who have been taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals in the farm quota market and was again on television to comment on the "footballers buy milk quota" rumpus.

He regularly writes for Farmers Guardian and the South West's Western Morning News and our experienced team is sought after for their comments on farm quotas.

27.10.23 – Farmers Weekly – Opinion: ‘Do it yourself’ gives best biodiversity net gain returns

As a way of replacing Basic Payment Scheme monies, selling “natural capital” in the form of biodiversity net gain (BNG) could be the most effective. While still an emerging market, along with carbon and nutrient neutrality credits, BNG has the potential to create significant money if handled correctly. There are currently a number of “off-market”…

18.10.23 – Western Morning News – Operators taking 40-95% of farmer’s BNG sale proceeds

As farmers continue to look around for ideas as to how to replace BPS (Basic Payment Scheme) payments, one of the most exciting options for farm diversification is selling ‘Natural Capital’ in the form of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units. Whilst this market is still emerging, since the end of September it gathered pace when…

11.10.23 – BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN – OPERATORS TAKING 40–95% OF FARMERS’ BNG SALE PROCEEDS

29.9.23 – BNG – MANDATORY IN ENGLAND FROM JANUARY 2024

BNG is to start in January 2024. At last we know! Following on from Wednesday’s teaser from the BBC that BNG is to be delayed from November 2023 until next year, the Government has confirmed that the mandatory requirement for developers of new housing, industrial and commercial development to show Biodiversity Net Gain on their…

27.9.23 – BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN, NUTRIENT NEUTRALITY AND CARBON TRADING – UPDATE 27.9.23

Government confirms commitment to BNG – mandatory requirement to be introduced in 2024 On 26th September the BBC reported that the Government was going to delay the commencement of the 11th November implementation of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), the Government’s flagship scheme under environmental improvement policy. Whilst previously this was expected to be a…

13.9.23 – Western Morning News – Biodiversity Net Gain moves step closer with more market updates

As we near the November launch date for the England wide requirement for a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) on developments requiring planning permission and await the Government’s legislation for this, we look at the BNG market following the latest Biodiversity Metric Version 4.0 update this March. Changes to Version 3.1 Version 4.0 has provided…

6.9.23 – Western Morning News – Nutrient Neutrality – Rule change casts uncertainty

Nutrient Neutrality payments still available based on water catchment priority areas Changes proposed to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill announced on the 29th August by the Government, may have a significant impact for both the Nutrient Mitigation market and farmers in general. The Government intends to boost housebuilding by removing ‘red tape’ currently holding…

29.8.2023 NUTRIENT NEUTRALITY: Government announces amendments to the Levelling up and Regeneration Bill

Nutrient Neutrality payments still available based on water catchment priority areas Changes proposed to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill announced yesterday by the Government, may have a significant impact for both the Nutrient Mitigation market and farmers in general. The Government intends to boost housebuilding by removing ‘red tape’ currently holding back the granting…

11.8.23 – Farmers Weekly – BNG credit prices give open market a steer on values

From November, developers must demonstrate improved biodiversity associated with their sites, Farmers Weekly looks at the process and implications for landowners. Read more here

3.8.23 – BNG – Latest DEFRA Publications – Statutory Credits and Responsible Bodies

As we get closer to the 11th November 2023, Biodiversity Net Gain is set to become mandatory with a range of developments required to demonstrate a 10% uplift in habitat biodiversity before their planning permission is approved. It is encouraging to see DEFRA showing signs of gearing up for this deadline with two publications issued…