Rural Outlook - 2022
Welcome to the 2022 edition of Rural Outlook. This edition concentrates on the opportunities which are available to landowners, with a particular focus on the Environment and Development.
We've brought together market commentary, research and insights from across our Rural, Planning, Residential Development and Commercial teams, keeping landowners and farmers well informed on key topics that matter right now.
We hope you enjoy it - you can browse individual articles below, or complete a short form to download the full magazine or to request a hard copy.

We're in an agricultural transition period - what does that mean for UK farmers?
As the reports show, we are now in an agricultural transition period. Changes for farmers will be phased in over seven years. Over this time the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) will be gradually reduced in a tiered system.

The wider effect of rising agricultural commodities on the farming industry
It has been hard to miss the seemingly constant upward trajectory of a lot of agricultural commodities within the last 12 months, let’s look at some of the contributory factors causing this rise.

Natural Capital and Green Investment
Both carbon sequestration and biodiversity enhancement are becoming increasingly necessary to both reduce emissions and offset environmental impacts generated by development in the UK.

The reality of the UK’s net zero ambition: the role of carbon capture
In 2019, the UK and Scottish Governments made their commitments to net zero, with target dates of 2050 and 2045 respectively. Relatively, both countries are progressing well, with emissions falling faster than in other major developed economies. However, with 326m tonnes of ‘carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)’ emitted in 2020, there is still a long road ahead.

Land values are rocketing as a result of the thriving logistics and distribution sector
The warehouse and logistics market has bolstered as a result of the pandemic, with close to 50m sq ft of deals completed in the UK throughout 2021.

Your site has legacy development potential, but where to start?
Two of Bidwells’ development experts answer the questions to consider from a landowner’s perspective.

Diversifying your estate - top 5 questions to ask yourself before embarking on a new project
There is a full spectrum of diversification projects for you to consider if you wish to enhance your rural property portfolio. But before you embark on this process, here are our top five questions to consider.

Give your redundant buildings a new lease of life
Now is an excellent time to review existing uses on your farm or estate and consider opportunities for the future.

Rural property market update
The outlook for the rural property market is positive and strong interest and values are welcome after a difficult 18 months.

Residential Overview
2021 was a busy time for the residential sector. With Covid restrictions in place at the beginning of the year, the house move process was more onerous, though demand for vacant properties remained strong.

Rural Property Index Overview
Rural property Income return was up marginally over the 12 months, in part as a result of new tenancy arrangements, active management was the primary driver of returns, with alternative uses, and the promotion of strategic land counteracting wider market capital value declines.
Download Rural Outlook 2022
Privacy notice