Money grows on trees and grass (From Warrington Guardian)

Money grows on trees and grass

FARMLAND prices near Knutsford have risen by about 30% in a year because of increased interest from city-dwellers.

Sue Steer, who sells land to non-farmers, said demand had pushed prices close to £10,000 a hectare.

"It's especially relevant to places near here where we're quite close to major cities," she said. Last week the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors revealed that more city-dwellers were investing in farmland.

The group said the rise in prices was being amplified because few were willing to sell their land.

Mrs Steer, rural spokesman for the Institute, sells land in the North West from her base near Holmes Chapel.

On Friday she said people from cities liked the idea of a large house that was protected by farmland. "I think they principally see them as a home and a nice place to live with a bit of protection around them," she said.

Investors from cities usually buy a farmhouse near Knutsford with about 10 to 15 acres of land.

More than 20 years ago Mrs Steer's family owned an engineering business in Manchester.

But they bought a house with about 50 acres in Swettenham near Holmes Chapel. Then about six years ago the family purchased another 70 acres nearby. Mrs Steer and her husband now sell organic vegetables and lamb from the farm.

They have also reinstated hedges, trees, an orchard and a wall.

Last week Mrs Steer, who also runs Steer Ethelston Rural Ltd, said they had been more able to protect the site than some farmers.

"The trouble is the economy of agriculture means farmers are under increasing pressure to intensify," she said.