Business Details
Your Trusted Land and Estate Management Partner in Worcestershire
Carver Knowles is a dedicated land agency and chartered surveying practice serving rural businesses and landowners across the UK. With expertise in agricultural grants, planning consultancy, and estate management, we provide strategic advice to enhance business value, secure funding, and navigate complex regulatory frameworks. Our team combines technical knowledge with practical experience to deliver tailored solutions for farm diversification, property development, and sustainable land use.We prioritise client needs through transparent communication, evidenced-based strategies, and a commitment to achieving measurable outcomes. Our services are designed to address both immediate challenges and long-term opportunities in the evolving rural economy.
Services
Valuations
Planning Consultancy
Agricultural Grants
Tenancy Advice
Expert Witness
Land Management
Farm Business Advice
Renewable Energy
Rural Business Rates
Compensation Claims
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of experience in rural property consultancy and grant applications.
- Our team includes chartered surveyors with specialist knowledge of agricultural planning.
- We provide nationwide service with local expertise in Worcestershire and surrounding counties.
- Our success rate in removing agricultural occupancy conditions exceeds 90%.
- We combine technical knowledge with practical solutions for farm business sustainability.
What people say
Successful planning applications
Professional and efficient service
Expert agricultural grant guidance
Effective removal of agricultural ties
Knowledgeable and responsive team
Services
Agricultural Grants
We specialise in identifying and securing agricultural grants for farm diversification, environmental improvements, and infrastructure projects. Our team guides clients through application processes for schemes like Countryside Stewardship and Sustainable Farming Incentive. With expertise in grant compliance, we ensure projects meet funding criteria while maximising financial benefits for rural businesses.
Planning Consultancy
Our planning consultants assist with applications for rural developments, including agricultural dwellings, land use changes, and infrastructure projects. We prepare detailed submissions, negotiate with local authorities, and provide strategic advice to overcome planning challenges. Services cover permitted development rights and appeals for residential and commercial rural properties.
Agricultural Valuations
We provide accurate valuations for farmland, rural properties, and agricultural assets. Our RICS-registered surveyors assess market value, rental potential, and development opportunities. Valuations support mortgage applications, tax planning, and dispute resolution, incorporating current market trends and regulatory considerations affecting rural land values.
Expert Witness
Our chartered surveyors act as expert witnesses in rural property disputes, including boundary conflicts, tenancy disagreements, and valuation challenges. We prepare court-compliant reports, provide testimony on agricultural practices, and offer impartial assessments of property development potential and compensation claims under rural planning regulations.
Land and Estate Management
We offer comprehensive estate management services, including strategic planning, boundary reviews, and grant application support. Our consultants advise on asset optimisation, succession planning, and regulatory compliance for landowners. We manage compensation claims, right-of-way disputes, and environmental stewardship schemes to enhance long-term estate value.
People
Andrew Troughton
Chartered Surveyor
Andrew specialises in agricultural grants and planning consultancy with over 15 years' experience in rural property management. He leads grant application processes for environmental schemes and provides expert witness testimony in land disputes.
Chris Ashley
Director
Chris oversees land agency operations and estate management services. With expertise in rural valuations and tenancy law, he advises landowners on asset optimisation and regulatory compliance across Worcestershire and the West Midlands.
Ellen Freeman
Planning Consultant
Ellen specialises in agricultural planning applications and removal of occupancy conditions. She has secured numerous permissions for rural dwellings and land use changes, focusing on strategic development solutions for farm businesses.
Sam Carter
Chartered Surveyor
Sam provides planning consultancy and valuation services for rural properties. His work focuses on development potential assessments and permitted development rights for agricultural buildings across the Midlands region.
Alex Stafford-Clark
Surveyor
Alex supports farm business advice and renewable energy projects. He assists with grant applications for environmental improvements and advises on diversification opportunities for landowners seeking alternative income streams.
Questions
How can I remove an agricultural occupancy condition from my property?
We conduct a property appraisal to identify removal options, then submit planning applications demonstrating the condition's unnecessary status. This may involve market testing or alternative evidence to secure approval from local authorities.
What agricultural grants are currently available?
Current schemes include Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants, Sustainable Farming Incentive, and Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. We help identify suitable grants and manage applications to maximise funding opportunities for environmental and business improvements.
Can you assist with planning applications for rural dwellings?
Yes, we prepare comprehensive applications for new agricultural dwellings and removal of occupancy conditions. Our process includes business need justification, local policy analysis, and coordination with architects to maximise approval chances.
Do you provide valuations for farmland and rural properties?
We offer RICS-compliant valuations for agricultural land, farmhouses, and commercial rural assets. Our valuations consider market trends, development potential, and regulatory factors affecting property value across the West Midlands region.
How do you support farm business succession planning?
We provide strategic advice on business structure, asset division, and tax planning. Our services include feasibility studies for diversification, tenancy reviews, and coordination with legal professionals to ensure smooth intergenerational transfers of rural enterprises.
Reviews (4)
Timothy Osborne
Dec 05, 2020
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Amelia Sheldon from Carver Knowles recently advised me on obtaining residential planning on my agricultural barn which was dealt with professionally and quickly. Planning consent was applied for and approved and cannot fault the way in which it was dealt with. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend to others. Thank you.
Anon Pershore
Mar 27, 2019
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A friend recommended contacting Carver Knowles as they had been successful in removing Ag Ties. To be honest we thought the chances of a successful outcome were slim but we had nothing to lose. After an initial consultation we were far more positive that it may be possible to remove the Ag Tie. The process is very straight forward with the major bonus of not placing the property on the market, we now have an Ag Tie free property. We would recommend undertaking a consultation with Carver Knowles.
Anon Hereford
Feb 12, 2019
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I want to thank you for your kind assistance in obtaining 'permitted development' planning permission on the three barns. You clearly have a thorough knowledge of the workings of this government directive and you put that to good use on my behalf. I have battled with planners in the past to no avail and you seemed to do it all so simply. I cannot thank you enough for your very competent work.
Anna H.-L.
Oct 25, 2018
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Paid the full amount, and received very poor service. Can no longer trust them to submit the planning application. Very big disappointment. Would not recommend to my worst enemy
