News - Townsend Chartered Surveyors

For over 38 years, Hugh Townsend has been the country's "go-to" commentator on farm quotas and intangible assets sold off-farm. 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.In 2016, BBC1 interviewed Hugh Townsend on the future of farming following the Referendum, click here. In 2021 he published the first book of its type “the UK Environmental Credits User Guide” , and more recently in 2024 ITV filmed at one of our BNG Habitat Banks which was broadcast on Monday 3rd June (click here) To view the uncut footage of the interview click here

Hugh Townsend developed the most creative arrangements to promote an efficient market in farm quotas, in the early eighties, including leasing milk quota without land, before the Milk Marketing Board introduced leasing for a part of the milk year. He has represented clients in leading court and arbitration cases successfully defending transfers of milk quota, and developed the new system of second TQ1 forms protecting the transfer of quotas with land.

In 1991, Farmers Weekly published the first sale price index from Hugh Townsend, countrywide, and started to publish farm quota sales and leasing graphs, which can be seen on our Milk Quota & Entitlements pages. Prices for intangible assets are still published weekly from this UK leading Brokerage House.

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.

In 1990, the firm held the first auction of sheep and beef quota making the market in these new intangible assets and is still the leading BPS entitlement broker in the UK regions following England abolishing their scheme in 2023.

The firm also now sells Biodiversity Net Gain and Nutrient Neutrality units, Woodland and Peatland Carbon, in addition to Water Abstraction Licenses, and holds National Sales by tender every six weeks.

17.11.23 – Farmers Weekly – Biodiversity net gain – Pros and cons of different options

The requirement for developers to deliver a minimum 10% biodiversity uplift associated with their sites takes effect from January next year. This is known as biodiversity net gain (BNG) and its imminent roll out has seen a confusing range of offers made to landowners from third-party operators to deal with BNG units created on farmland….

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