| July, 2010 :: Rural Priorities - 2010 Timetable |
The Scottish Government has announced the timetable for the remaining Rural Priorities Assessment Committee (RPAC) rounds in 2010.
Summer 2010 (for applicants who submitted their application on or before June 1st deadline)
The commit deadline is 5th July (4pm)
The RPACs will meet between 16th and 27th August
Following the RPAC meetings recommendations for approval will be forwarded to the Cabinet Secretary for endorsement
Autumn 2010
Submission deadline - 2nd August (4pm)
Commit deadline - 6th September (4pm)
RPAC meetings - between 18th and 29th October
The Scottish Government has recently issued revised guidance requiring any supplementary information associated with a full application be lodged with your case officer no more than 5 days after the submission of the application. This covers all additional information referred to in your application. Failure to submit on time will result in your application being "locked out" and delay the assessment process.
If you are considering an SRDP application or have any other questions on the scheme, please contact Huw Connick at our Castle Douglas office.
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| June, 2010 :: WaterAid Munro Conquered |
On Saturday 12th June five intrepid adventurers from Davidson & Robertson Rural struck past Balquidder to Inverlochlarig to start their ascent of Cruach Ardrain (1046m) for the bi-annual WaterAid Charity Munro Challenge.
The route started with the "bagging" of Beinn Tulaichean (946m) before tackling Cruach Ardrain. The fine weather spurred the team on with them arriving at the Challenge Munro for 1pm - comfortably within the midday to two o'clock challenge window set by the organisers.
L-R Martin Hall, Michael Reid Thomas, Niall Milner, Edward Dunbar, Chris Edmunds
After descending to the Inverlochlarig Burn the team quickly returned to the car and celebrated their success with a well earned pint at the Kings House Hotel.
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| April, 2010 :: Turmoil in Telecoms |
Many landowners with Telecoms Masts are being contacted by the mast operators seeking one or more of:-
- Immediate rent reductions;
- Consent to assign to a third party (usually for amalgamation of networks);
- Amendment to terms of tenancy
- Early termination of lease.
The mobile telecoms industry is a mature market in the UK, with generally wide coverage and little room for growth. As a result the key players are focusing on cutting costs. New technology has made mast sharing much easier, and in recent months joint ventures have been announced between H3G and T-Mobile, and between O2 and Vodafone. These operators are now looking to share masts, and this will leave some masts redundant. It is estimated that approximately 5,000 out of a total of approximately 50,000 will be made redundant. As part of the cost-cutting exercise telecoms tenants are now actively seeking rent reductions of up to 40%, often where no rent review is due, or where there is a clear indexed formulae in place (eg RPI). This is done with the threat of only retaining those sites on ‘sustainable terms’ and the threat of exercising the break clause for those who do not agree to their terms. The operators are also approaching landowners direct, rather than their agents, in the hope that landowners might not take advice on the matter.
If you find yourself being approached by a mast operator asking for a rent reduction, please contact Martin Hall or Charles Reid Thomas.
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| April, 2010 :: National Spring Clean |
| The Edinburgh office of Land Agents Davidson & Robertson Rural took part for the second year in succession in the National Spring Clean. The event this year took place on 8th April 2010 and covered the area between Riccarton and Wester Hailes, along Whitlaw Road on the western side of the capital. The group managed to collect a total of 7 large refuse sacks.
Organiser and coordinator Michael Reid Thomas commented "the pathways in and around rural Edinburgh look so much better if they can be kept clean and our effort this year will, I hope, encourage others to take their litter home rather than discard it. Our local community will certainly benefit from a litter free environment".
L-R: Martin Hall, Micheal Reid Thomas, Ed Dunbar and Clare Maxwell
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| February, 2010 :: Castle Douglas |
We are pleased to announce the opening of our "John A Neil" office in Castle Douglas on 1st February. Both John Neil and Huw Connick will be based there. The contact details can be found under the following link http://www.johnaneil.com/.
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| January, 2010 :: Huw Connick |
| We are pleased to welcome Huw Connick who is joining us as Associate Director from 1st January 2010. Huw will be heading up our Castle Douglas office. Huw can be contacted on 07795 221605 or huwconnick@davidsonandrobertson.co.uk. |
| December, 2009 :: Ed Dunbar |
| We are pleased to announce that Ed passed his final RICS assessment in November 2009. Ed is now a qualified Chartered Surveyor and has also continued the Davidson & Robertson Rural tradition of a 100% first-time pass rate since the APC began nearly 20 years ago! |
| November, 2009 :: Clare Maxwell |
| We are pleased to announce that Clare Maxwell recently graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a Masters in Land Economy with Rural Surveying and Rural Property Management in November 2009. |
| November, 2009 :: CASTLE DOUGLAS |
| We are pleased to announce the amalgamation with the business of John A Neil in Castle Douglas which will be effective from 1st February 2010. John Neil will continue to work with the firm which will become John A Neil Rural. |
| October, 2009 :: EXCHANGE RATE CONFIRMED FOR SINGLE FARM PAYMENTS |
The euro sterling exchange rate for the 2009 Single Farm Payment (SFP) Scheme is €1=£0.9093.
Details
The euro sterling exchange rate used to determine the sterling value of the SFP is set by the European Central Bank. The Bank determines the rate of conversion using the euro sterling exchange rate on a single day. The single day used is the 30 September, or nearest working day.
The rate to be used for the 2009 Single Farm Payment (SFP) Scheme is €1=£0.9093. This rate compares very favourably with the exchange rate for the 2008 Single Farm Payment Scheme which was €1=£0.7903. The rate for 2009 is 15 per cent better than the 2008 rate.
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| June, 2009 :: Working Close to Overhead Power Lines |
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warned about the dangers of working close to overhead power lines, after a soft fruit farming company and its owner were prosecuted following the electrocution of a worker. On average two people are killed and many more are injured every year when they come into contact with overhead power lines during agricultural work. Work which risks contact with overhead power lines should not take place within nine metres either side of a live power line. Machinery and equipment does not need to touch power lines for electricity to be transmitted because electricity can arc or jump across gaps. Farmers should be reminded that it is not just machinery that conducts electricity, a jet of water or liquid slurry; a piece of metal or fishing rod may also do the same.
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| June, 2009 :: Water Aid Challenge |
On Saturday 6th June Martin Hall, Andrew Miller and Daniel Duncan were ably assisted by staff of Gillespie MacAndrew solicitors in their ascent of the iconic Cobbler as part of the 2009 Water Aid Trail 100 Challenge. The Challenge was to put a team of walkers on the top of every mountain/hill in the Trail Magazine Top 100 of the UK. The sponsored walkers helped WaterAid achieve their challenge and in the process climbed a true Scottish Classic
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| May, 2009 :: THE ‘RRRUBBISH’ RUNNERS |
A group of 17 assorted runners ran the Edinburgh 10K Run on 3rd May in memory of Bryce McCall Smith who died, tragically young, late last year. Bryce was never shy with his forthright views during a rugby match (hence the team name) and he would surely have had something to say about this performance!
Both Charlie Reid Thomas and Andrew Miller were in the team and having provided cautious time estimates lined up in the pink (couch potato) section against all the superheroes including Batman and Robin, a Dalek, a number of real firemen complete in firefighting suits, Superman and of course Buzz Lightyear.
And the results ………….
the support team have a great way with their pom-poms, Pete was the first runner home with a dog, we all finished, we all finished sooner than we thought we could, all funds will go to Systema Scotland and Charlie pulled a rabbit out of the hat by running faster than his wife.
Why wouldn’t the after-party go with a swing?
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| March, 2009 :: National Trust for Scotland |
| Davidson and Robertson Rural is delighted to have been to have been selected to assist the National Trust for Scotland as property consultant for their wide ranging portfolio. |
| December, 2008 :: EPC Assessments – Are you ready for the new year? |
Davidson & Robertson Rural is pleased to announce that Associate Director Niall Milner is now a qualified Energy Assessor able to deliver Residential Property Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).
From 4th January 2009 all residential property in Scotland will require an EPC when marketed for lease. As such existing tenancies are not affected, but an EPC will be required in the future when the current tenant vacates and the house is advertised for let.
The certificate can last for up to 10 years. However, there may be times when it could be beneficial to reassess a property more often if for example a major refurbishment has been undertaken.
If you require an EPC to be issued for a residential property then please contact Niall Milner at our Lanark Office for further details.
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| November, 2008 :: New Bridge over the Forth |
The new £120 million Clackmannanshire Bridge over the Firth of Forth was officially opened by First Minister Alex Salmond on the 19th November 2008.
The crossing, designed to alleviate traffic pressure on the Kincardine Bridge, is the second largest of its type in the world. It includes an extensive network of new cycleways and footpaths and provides transport links between Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Fifem improving road safety and opening up the wider area to economic benefits.
Approximately 20,000 vehicles per day are predicted to use the new bridge, with traffic on the existing Kincardine bridge reduced from approximately 30,100 vehicles per day at present to approximately 18,100 vehicles.
Davidson & Robertson Rural represented a number of landowners and occupiers on the route of the new bridge and associated roads, securing compensation for the compulsory purchase of clients' land and agreeing accommodation works to mitigate the effect of the road on their remaining property.
For further information on the bridge itself, click here
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| July, 2008 :: Queen Officially Opens Katrine Water Project |
The £120 million pound Katrine Water Project, designed to improve the drinking water quality for 700,000 people in the Greater Glasgow area, is Scotland's largest engineering works for the water industry and was officially opened by the Queen on 3rd July 2008.
The use of Loch Katrine to supply drinking water to Glasgow dates back to Victorian times and has served Glasgow well for nearly 150 years. In fact the original scheme was officially opened by Queen Victoria in 1859. In recent times however more stringent regulations regarding water drinking quality has resulted in a need for the upgrading of the treatment of Loch Katrine Water for drinking.
Davidson & Robertson Rural was brought in at an early stage of the project to act as lead land agent and valuation consultant. We were involved in land searches to identify the land use, land owners and occupiers of the various option sites. Once the preferred option was identified a detailed valuation exercise was undertaken and negotiations commenced with land owners for the acquisition of approximately 35 acres on the edge of prosperous Milngavie. Negotiated settlements were successfully reached with all the landowners without recourse to Compulsory Purchase. In addition wayleaves were negotiated and agreed for over 12km of large diameter mains and associated pipework.
Construction started in 2004 with the main elements being a new, 240,000 mega litres/day direct filtration plant and the provision of an additional 160,000 mega litres treated water storage capacity. The additional storage capacity is provided by two 80,000 mega litre tanks, the biggest ever constructed in Scotland. The works were commissioned in October 2007.
The original 26 mile aqueduct linking Loch Katrine with the water treatment works at Milngavie was considered a feat of Victorian engineering. The new scheme is every bit as impressive.
Further information is available here.
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| July, 2008 :: Energy Performance Certificates are coming.. |
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From 1 December 2008 an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will be required for the sale of existing domestic buildings in Scotland.
From 4 January 2009 they will be required for all domestic and non-domestic buildings if leased or sold and must be displayed in all public buildings.
These certificates are similar to the ratings already displayed on electrical white goods and motor cars. Of some comfort to Rural Businesses is that buildings which do not use fuel or power for controlling the temperature of the internal environment will be exempt from the requirement.
For further details please contact Niall Milner.
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| May, 2008 :: NEW ENTRANTS PAPER PRESENTED TO CABINET SECRETARY |
| The Tenant Farming Forum (TFF) has launched its paper of recommendations on how to assist new entrants into Scottish farming.
The TFF is made up of NFU Scotland, Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA), Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG), Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Scotland and Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) and its primary purpose is to help to promote a healthy farm tenanted sector in Scotland.
The recommendations focus on those solutions, which in the view of the TFF, will have the greatest potential to provide new entrants access to capital, have equality of opportunity, and enable access to land. Suggested recommendations include; ensuring that new entrants have access to the Single Farm Payment, subsidised interest loans, improving succession planning advice and creating phased entry programmes.
Details are available at:
www.tenantfarmingforum.org.uk |
| October, 2007 :: Read All About It! |
The latest company newsletter is available for download from the link on the front of our homepage. Enjoy and let us know what you think. |
| October, 2007 :: Landlords Take Note - The Repairing Standard |
From 3rd September as part of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, the Repairing Standard sees a modification and extension of the landlord’s obligations to repair and maintain a property. The Repairing Standard requires that landlords ensure that the house is wind and water tight, the structure and exterior or the house is sound including drains and gutters, the installations such as water, gas and electricity are in reasonable repair and working order and that smoke alarms are provided to a satisfactory level. The landlord has to ensure that the house meets the Repairing Standard at the start and throughout the tenancy. It also applies to existing tenancies as well as those beginning after 3rd September. If you are affected by the Repairing Standard and have any queries, please contact Charles Reid Thomas or Niall Milner. |
| June, 2007 :: WAVERLEY RAILWAY PROJECT |
Davidson & Robertson Rural have been appointed by Scottish Borders Council to manage the properties acquired for the high profile Waverley Railway Project. Martin Hall comments - 'we are delighted to have been selected to assist with this exciting project, and this appointment fits well with our strong Estate Management and Infrastructure Services'. |
| May, 2007 :: Edinburgh Drinking Water Project |
Davidson & Robertson Rural have been instructed by Scottish Water in connection with site acquisition and compensation on the prestigious Edinburgh Drinking Water Project. Scottish Water is making a major investment in the public water supply in Edinburgh over the next four years. This £100 million investment will mean better quality drinking water and will equip the city for future expansion. For further information click here. |
| January, 2007 :: New Lanark Office |
| Davidson & Robertson Rural are pleased to announce expansion with the opening of a new office in Lanark. The office, located within Lanark Agricultural Centre, opened on 8th January 2007. The office will be run on a day to day basis by Niall Milner and managed by Director Martin Hall. The office is opening as a result of a growing number of clients in the Lanarkshire and Borders area. Please call in and see us when you are at the Market. Contact details for the office are as follows:- Davidson & Robertson Rural Lanark Agricultural Centre Muirglen Hyndford Road Lanark ML11 9AX T: 01555 66 66 55 E: lanark@davidsonandrobertson.co.uk |
| January, 2007 :: Promotion |
We are delighted to announce the promotion of Niall Milner to position of Associate Director within the firm. Niall has been with the firm since 2001, and qualified as a Rural Chartered Surveyor in 2003. He has been instrumental in the setting up the Lanark office. Niall is presently Chairman of RICS matrics in SE Scotland and is a Careers Champion for the RICS. 
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| August, 2006 :: Recent Recruitment |
| We are pleased to welcome Charlotte Holdsworth as a new member of the Davidson & Robertson Rural team. Charlotte joins us from Harper Adams University College and begins her formal RICS training programme with the firm. |
| August, 2006 :: Upper Forth Crossing |
| Work has recently started on the Upper Forth Crossing (the new Kincardine Bridge). Davidson & Robertson Rural are representing the interests of several affected owners and occupiers in relation to the whole Compulsory Purchase process. For further details contact Martin Hall. |
| June, 2006 :: Airdrie to Bathgate Railway |
| The objection period for the "Airdrie Bathgate and Linked Improvements Bill" closes on the 31st July 2006. Davidson & Robertson Rural have been appointed by a large number of landowners to represent their interests in any discussions or negotiations with the scheme promoters. If you have any questions or would like further information please contact Niall Milner or Martin Hall. |
| June, 2006 :: Commemorating the passing of |
On 1st June Davidson & Robertson Rural celebrated 50 years since the death of one its founding partners - "WM" Robertson - who died whilst golfing at Gleneagles in 1956. Staff of the firm were joined by a number of older colleagues who either worked with,or knew WM all those years ago.  |
| April, 2006 :: Time is running out! |
Landlords have until 30th April to register with their Local Authority as a fit and proper person for the purpose of letting Residential Property. After the 30th April it will be illegal to let property if you are not already registered. This includes arrangements where a rent is not exchanged such as tied housing or grace and favour occupation. If you have any questions, or a struggling with the registration process, please do not hesitate to contact Niall Milner. |
| January, 2006 :: Empty Properties - Help May Be At Hand! |
The Rural Empty Properties Grant scheme(REPG) is run by Communities Scotland. Its main aim is to increase the amount of affordable rural property on the market by helping to fund development projects. It focuses mainly on residential properties that are in an uninhabited condition, or non-residential properties in need of conversion. However, it will also consider houses that are inhabited, but below the tolerable standard. There are also various other criteria that the grant provider will consider when an application is made. The maximum amount of grant money available for any project is 33% of the project cost, however this may be increased in special circumstances. The grant policy stipulates that the property in question must be rented out as affordable housing for a period of no less than 5 years. The grant provider will either be Communities Scotland or the local authority, depending on the area in question. After the five year period of renting the property as a affordable housing, the owner has the freedom to either continue renting the property as affordable housing or expose it to the open market. For further information please contact Merle Robertson at: merlerobertson@davidsonandrobertson.co.uk |
| November, 2005 :: Well Done |
Well done to Sarah Rennie & Peter Gayford who both passed the RICS APC (Assesment of Professional Competence) in November to become qualified "MRICS." Martin Hall comments, "We are delighted that both candidates passed. We recruit one or two candidates each year who are put onto our structured training programme. The high level of support we provide pays dividends and this can be seen in our 100% pass rate since the APC was introduced 15 years ago, with all passing on first sitting! |
| October, 2005 :: Wind Farm Visit |
A group of 10 surveyors from the Riccarton Office visited Blacklaw Windfarm in Lanarkshire recently. Charles Reid Thomas, who was involved in setting up the agreement for the landowners, gave an insight into the complexity of any agreement. AMEC and Scottish Power talked through the practical aspects of constructing and managing the site. At capacity the site will generate 140 MW of electricity
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| October, 2005 :: Work Experience Week |
Davidson & Robertson Rural were happy to host three school pupils for work experience last week under the RICS Scotland initiative encouraging school leavers to consider a career as a Rural Chartered Surveyor.
Click here for more info |
| September, 2005 :: Planning Gain Supplement |
| The 2004 Barker Report on Housing Supply recommended that the government should impose a Planning Gain Supplement (PGS) to allow the extraction of a proportion of the value gained through the granting of planning consent for housing development for use in the funding of essential infrastructure. Since then the Government has made it clear that they are considering the imposition of a PGS type levy on all gains arising from the granting of planning permission and have indicated that there will be a consultation in the Autumn As agents acting for a large number of landowners in the central belt we are concerned at the potential "double whammy" of any gain being subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and having to pay in addition the PGS. If you have any queries regarding ths PGS please contact Martin Hall. |
| August, 2005 :: New Appointments |
| Davidson & Robertson Rural are pleased to announce the appointment of two further professional staff working from Edinburgh. Peter Gayford joins the team after previously working for Smiths Gore in Dumfries, predominantly in Estate Management. Merle Robertson has just graduated from Aberdeen University with a degree in Rural Surveying from the department of Land Economy. Martin Hall comments, "These appointments back up our commitment to grow our core Rural Surveying business through recruitment of the best in the industry" |
| July, 2005 :: 2005 Agricultural Show Calendar |
Davidson & Robertson Rural continue to support a number of local agricultural shows, as we have done for a number of years, and we would be delighted to see you at any or all of the shows which we are attending this year. For your information these are the shows at which we will have a stand where you can come for in informal chat, a large glass of Pimms and / or shelter as circumstances dictate!
DOUNE & DUNBLANE SHOW - Saturday 2nd July 2005
DALKEITH SHOW - Saturday 9th July 2005
BIGGAR SHOW - Saturday 23rd July 2005
PEEBLES SHOW - Saturday 14th August 2005
YARROW SHOW - Saturday 10th September 2005
We look forward to seeing you there. |
| May, 2005 :: Draft Finalised West Lothian Local Plan 2005 Place |
The six week consultation has just begun on the Finalised West Lothian Local Plan. Landowners in West Lothian should familiarise yourselves with the content so far, as it may affect you. We are assisting a large number of landowners with development opportunities. If you wish to discuss how we might be able to help you please contact Martin Hall or Andrew Miller. |
| May, 2005 :: 16th May Deadline Looms |
Those with farming businesses must make sure that they meet the 16th May deadline for submission of their 2005 IACS Field Data Sheets and Single Application Form (SAF). Failure to do so could mean the loss of valuable Single Farm Payment Scheme entitlements. If you need assistance please contact Martin Hall. |
| May, 2005 :: Kilpunt Steading Launched on the Market |
Davidson & Robertson Rural are pleased to reveal that Kilpunt Steading near Broxburn is for sale. The Steading has featured in the Scotsman Property Supplement and is an excellent opportunity for Developers. Please see the Property section of the web page for further information. |
| May, 2005 :: New Website |
| Davidson & Robertson Rural are pleased to announce the launch of our updated Website. Feel free to have a look around and let us know what you think. |
