Professionalism and Expertise in the
Agricultural and Rural Property Sectors
Acorn Rural Property Consultants is a dynamic and forward thinking firm of Chartered Surveyors and Land Agents specialising in the agricultural and rural property sectors. Over the years we have developed a reputation for professionalism and expertise. Please browse our services for more information.
Our aim is to build long term relationships with our clients and their other professional advisers to ensure that we understand their needs and can help to achieve their objectives. This is reflected in a high level of repeat instructions and personal referrals. Our clients range from large property owning organisations and private estates to family farmers, developers and private individuals.
We have particular expertise in planning and development, including permitted development rights and planning enforcement; agricultural tenancies; dispute resolution; expert witness and arbitration work.
We publish regularly in the farming press and contribute to the work of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and other professional organisations.
We welcome enquiries from clients, prospective clients and their advisers and are always happy to have an initial discussion without any obligation to establish how we may be able to help.
We are regulated by RICS for the provision of surveying services. This means we agree to uphold the RICS Rules of Conduct and all other applicable mandatory professional practice requirements of RICS and comply with the RICS client money protection scheme.
As an RICS regulated firm we have committed to cooperating with RICS in ensuring compliance with its standards. Mark Sanders is the firm’s nominated RICS Responsible Principal.
Latest News

The new NPPF: isolated dwellings
Planning policy has long required special justification for isolated homes in the countryside. The new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) identifies limited circumstances in which such homes may be supported. These include, among others, proposals

The new NPPF: Biodiversity Net Gain
Biodiversity net gain (BNG) is an established part of the planning system. Subject to statutory exemptions, development is generally required to achieve at least a 10% increase in biodiversity value compared with the pre-development value

Navigating the new National Planning Policy Framework
On 17 August 2026, the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published and came into immediate effect for planning decisions. It opens by stating that it is “a material consideration of critical importance” for