FARMERS who want to try new ways of making a living will have to make peace with their "traditional enemies", the planners, says the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

"Although we think it's a bit of a myth, there is a widespread view among many of our 4,000 or so members in Yorkshire that the planners are unapproachable and just don't understand what is needed to ensure farmers' continuing contribution to a thriving rural economy," says Dorothy Fairburn, who is the CLA's Yorkshire regional director.

She says that many farmers and landowners have workable ideas for new ventures, which never get off the ground because planning consent is refused, when a different approach and a better-prepared application might have succeeded.

"With farm diversification, it is often the case that a completely different set of rules apply to the agricultural ones with which farmers are familiar."

To help solve the problem, the CLA has joined forces with Yorkshire Planning Aid, an independent planning advice service operated by the Yorkshire and Humber branch of the Royal Town Planning Institute, to stage a half-day seminar for farmers on January 27 in Leyburn on how the planning system works and how it differs depending on area and on circumstances.

The event will include a workshop session for farmers to get instant planning advice.

Details are available from the CLA's regional office on (01347) 823803.

Updated: 12:22 Wednesday, December 10, 2003