Struggling mid Essex farmers are grabbing a lifeline by leasing out disused farm buildings for much more than they can make on traditional farming and agricultural storage.

Essex Farmers Union chairman John Jolly of Latchingdon says many are reversing losses by allowing grain barns be used for light industry and warehousing.

Top agents Whirledge and Nott say: "Farmers are able to make at least four times as much from the buildings whilst for the tenants the rents are substantially lower than commercial warehousing and office sites - so everybody is benefiting."

The sudden upsurge in availability of rural buildings for diversification coincides with a recent appeal by agriculture minister Nick Brown and PM Tony Blair to look elsewhere for income.

Whirledge's Mike Hughes says: "Farmers in Essex have probably jumped the gun in that I suspect they are at the forefront in terms of diversification because they have a natural entrepreneurial spirit and perhaps because there is good demand for accommodation of various types in converted buildings as well as for activities like boot sales, fishing and riding."

However, he warns any farmers thinking of making the change to ensure they get the requisite planning consents from the local authority.

"It is no good just offering your property without going into the pros and cons because potential tenants want to be sure they are not going to have their premises closed down by the planners.

"For many farmers it could mean the difference between survival and going under."

David and Mary Rance have lived 23 years at their farm in East Chelmsford and recently had the opportunity of acquiring neighbouring land with 18 farm buildings on it.

They have gained planning permission from Chelmsford Borough Council and commissioned specialist builder Bakers of Danbury to renovate some of the buildings and demolish a few as well.

"One attractively renovated barn from the 17th century that we call the Gatehouse has already been reserved by a computer company and we have a cold store building from the days when this was a major fruit farm which when put right would be absolutely ideal for archive storage," said Mrs Mary Rance.

"It is an ideal solution for farm owners and people seeking storage facilities at well below the normal rate."

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