Latest news with #CastleViewFarm
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Farmers turn their land into a cemetery in a dead creative way to make cash
A family of farmers have converted their land into a cemetery in a highly creative method of making cash. The owners of Castle View Farm in Bottesford, Leicestershire have transformed what was once an 'unproductive' 10-acre spring barley field into a new and innovative source of income. The 136-hectare family farm is run by husband and wife James and Claire Goodson and comprises of livery stables, a lake for fishing, alongside solar panels. Speaking about the challenges farmers face in generating unique sources of income, Ms Goodson, 54, told The Telegraph that many had been forced to 'diversify' as a result of Rachel Reeves ' inheritance tax raid. The new policy outlined in the October budget means farmers are set to pay inheritance tax on agricultural property and land worth more than £1million at a rate of 20 per cent - half the main base rate - from April 2026. With campaigners warning that the decision will likely affect almost all family farms, many looked towards alternative sources of income, such as selling produce or letting out space. But, Ms Goodson, who described the farming industry as 'really tough', has outlined her family's innovative use of their historical land in the hopes that it may inspire and encourage others. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Vale of Belvoir, Belvoir Castle and Lincoln, their once abandoned field is now capable of holding up to 7,500 burial plots at a cost of either £500 for an ashes plot of £1,400 for a full burial. While traditional gravestones are not on offer, wooden plaques placed at ground level ensure that the area is marked. The unique idea first came from their daughter Emily, a university student then aged 21, after the field's heavy clay meant it was no longer suitable for growing crops. After obtaining planning permission in 2021, the family set up their modern burial ground three years ago, prior to Chancellor Reeves' Autumn Budget. But for Ms Goodson, the timing is absolutely perfect - with the 'lovely' field now offering 'an easier way of bringing income' for their farming family while also providing 'wonderful views' for people to remember their loved ones. The couple, who also have a son James, are hopeful that the burial site will be used for generations of families in their community to come. Speaking to the BBC, Ms Goodson added: 'No-one wants to talk about death but I feel like more people are now. 'I find that this is a nicer alternative than maybe the churchyard or crematorium because they know they can come and visit a nice place.' With up to 50 plots set to be laid, several locals, despite being initially sceptical, have now praised the idea and even expressed a desire to get buried there themselves. Alongside providing a burial ground, the family also contribute to local wildlife and biodiversity, planting up top 93 trees that they eventually hope will comprise of bat boxes and owl boxes. They currently house hedgehog boxes, alongside a family of nine hares. In June, it was reported by The Telegraph that more than 40 Labour MPs are said to be considering a bid to water down looming changes to agricultural and business inheritance tax relief. The Government have previously insisted the measures - dubbed the 'family farm tax' and set to be in place from April 2026 - will only affect the wealthiest quarter of landowners. But the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and others say the impact of Ms Reeves' measures will be much more widespread. Critics claim the move could wipe out family-run farms with tight margins, as they will be forced to sell up in order to pay death duties. There have been months of demonstrations by farmers in response to the Chancellor's tax raid, including tractor protests in Wesminster. A 'rural growth group' of Labour MPs is now proposing the raising of the £1million cut-off point at which estates lose their tax reliefs. They have suggested estates receive full tax relief on the value of agricultural properties up to £10million, 50 per cent to £20million, and nil thereafter. Sam Rushworth, Labour MP for Bishop Auckland, who is a member of the group, told the newspaper they would 'consider what amendments to put down'. Mr Rushworth said: 'We are all keen to avoid amendments. I don't want it to get to that point. I am a Labour MP and I broadly support the Government.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Farmers turn land into cemetery to raise cash
A family farm has transformed a spring barley field into a natural burial ground in an unusual attempt to raise cash. Clair Goodson, 54, warned that farms such as hers were 'up against it' following Labour's inheritance tax raid in Rachel Reeves's October Budget. As farmers are being encouraged to diversify their businesses to create sources of income, many have turned to letting out buildings, selling produce or providing holiday accommodation. However, Mrs Goodson, who runs Castle View Farm in Bottesford, Leicestershire, with her husband James, has instead turned a previously 'unproductive' plot of land into a potential gold mine. The 10-acre field has capacity for 7,500 burial spots in a tranquil setting which overlooks the Vale of Belvoir, Belvoir Castle and Lincoln. A delegated space will set families back either £500 for an ashes plot or £1,400 for a full burial – both of which Mrs Goodson pointed out were 'quite a bit cheaper' than traditional alternatives. The burial site does not feature traditional gravestones, but instead wooden plaques mark the area and are placed level with the ground. The Goodsons hope the field will offer a financial boost at a time when farms across the country are struggling. 'Farms have all got to diversify because it's not what it used to be,' she told The Telegraph. 'Farming is really tough at the moment, we are up against it all the time. [What] with the Government, the weather and prices, diversification is more important than ever.' Although their burial grounds have now been open for three years, Mrs Goodson said she was 'glad we did what we did' when they did it, ahead of the Chancellor's autumn Budget. Filled with wildflowers and 'wonderful views of the countryside', the idea to diversify was drawn up by their daughter Emily. The field's heavy clay was not suited to growing crops and has so far proven more suitable to its new use after they gained planning permission. 'It is just an easier way of bringing income from a field,' she said. 'It wasn't a particularly productive field and we just thought we would do something completely different here. We knew the views were wonderful up here and we thought a burial ground would be lovely – wonderful views was the main thing.' While it was hard raising awareness and advertising at first, Mrs Goodson said they are now up to plot 50. 'It's been a steady, slow burn. But now I've heard people in the local pub saying 'I'm going to be buried there',' she said. The land is often teeming with wildlife, including skylarks, hares and even English partridge. Mrs Goodson said: 'It's just a really peaceful place to come and reflect and visit their loved ones.' They have also had others who have left it in their will to be buried in the grounds. Mrs Goodson said their current set-up had made the area more biodiverse than if it were just being used for crops. When the 93 trees they have planted are fully grown, they also plan to install bat and owl boxes. They have already diversified the rest of their 330-acre arable farm with a livery yard of nine stables. The burial ground was more unusual, as some locals were originally sceptical at first, she said. 'We've still got lots of space, although I'm not sure we'll need it in my lifetime unless there's some sort of disaster,' she joked.
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Farmers turn land into ‘natural cemetery' to raise cash
A family farm has transformed a spring barley field into a natural burial ground in an unusual bid to raise cash. Clair Goodson, 54, warned that farms such as hers were 'up against it' following Labour's inheritance tax raid in Rachel Reeves's October Budget. As farmers are being encouraged to diversify their businesses to create sources of income, many have turned to letting out buildings, selling produce or providing holiday accommodation. However Mrs Goodson, who runs Castle View Farm in Bottesford, Leicestershire, with her husband James, has instead turned a previously 'unproductive' plot of land into a potential gold mine. The 10-acre field has capacity for 7,500 burial spots in a tranquil setting which overlooks the Vale of Belvoir, Belvoir Castle and Lincoln. A delegated space will set families back either £500 for an ashes plot or £1,400 for a full burial – both of which Mrs Goodson pointed out were 'quite a bit cheaper' than traditional alternatives. The burial site does not feature traditional gravestones, but instead wooden plaques mark the area and are placed level with the ground. The Goodsons hope the field will offer a financial boost at a time when farms across the country are struggling. 'Farms have all got to diversify because it's not what it used to be,' she told the Telegraph. 'Farming is really tough at the moment, we are up against it all the time. [What] with the Government, the weather and prices; diversification is more important than ever.' Although their burial grounds have now been open for three years, Mrs Goodson said she was 'glad we did what we did' when they did it, ahead of the Chancellor's autumn Budget. Filled with wildflowers and 'wonderful views of the countryside', the idea to diversify was drawn up by their daughter Emily. The field's heavy clay was not suited to growing crops and has so far proven more suitable to its new use after they gained planning permission. 'It is just an easier way of bringing income from a field,' she said. 'It wasn't a particularly productive field and we just thought we would do something completely different here. We knew the views were wonderful up here and we thought a burial ground would be lovely – wonderful views was the main thing.' While it was hard raising awareness and advertising at first, Mrs Goodson said they are now up to plot 50. 'It's been a steady, slow burn. But now I've heard people in the local pub saying 'I'm going to be buried there'', she said. The land is often teeming with wildlife including skylarks, hares and even English partridge and Mrs Goodson said: 'It's just a really peaceful place to come and reflect and visit their loved ones.' They have also had others who have left it in their will to be buried in the grounds. Mrs Goodson said their current set up had made the area more biodiverse than if it were just being used for crops. When the 93 trees they have planted are fully grown they also plan to install bat and owl boxes. They have already diversified the rest of their 330-acre arable farm with a livery yard of nine stables. The burial ground was more unusual, as some locals were originally sceptical at first, she said. 'We've still got lots of space although I'm not sure we'll need it in my lifetime unless there's some sort of disaster,' she joked.
