20 January, 2012

Farmers in the South West should consider applying for grant funding if they have expansion plans.

This is the view of William Trinick, a rural surveyor at land agent Smiths Gore, who told South West Farmer there is "huge scope" for people to install renewable energy schemes on country properties or to pursue other business ventures.

Mr Trinick said: "There is £20 million of grant funding ring-fenced for Cornwall to improve and diversify the rural economy specifically. If you are a farmer wanting to improve your business or diversify into processing, or someone wanting wanting to start a small business from a rural unit, grants are available."

He made his comments after the firm announced that he had been appointed to Smiths Gore's Truro office due to growing demand for professional services in the region.

In terms of green power ventures, Mr Trinick stressed that his confidence in such investments comes despite the reduction of the feed-in tariff incentive offered by the government.

With or without this incentive, the construction of new renewable energy projects in the South West could be set to accelerate in the next few years, as the Western Morning News reported that the UK is currently struggling to meet European Union (EU)-set targets for 2020, citing a EurObserv'ER report.

Chief executive of West Country energy agency RegenSW Merlin Hyman responded by saying that the environmental goals are achievable, even if the country is currently a long way off. The UK is lagging behind all 26 other EU member states in terms of renewable energy.

Source: Vertical Leap