Permitted use of Equestrian / Agricultural Land?

[Deleted User]

Are there any experts here on what you are and aren't allowed to do on agricultural / equestrian land?

We want to buy some land that can be securely fenced so that our hounds (who can't really be trusted off-lead) can live an active life.

We've found several acres of equestrian/agricultural land for sale at a price we can afford and in a suitable location. The land is currently part of a stud farm and is being sold as a separate lot from the farm itself. The land is already very securely fenced (double fenced in fact) and is surrounded by hedgerows.

We wouldn't need to make any changes whatsoever to the land for the purpose of exercising the dogs. However, we're keen to continue the conservation work already carried out by the current owners and would like to continue with hedgerow and woodland planting and perhaps create a wild flower meadow. We would need some kind of shed to store a lawn tractor and some tools.

I've tried to get information from the local council offices and have simply been told that my message has been passed to one of there officers who will get back to me when his workload permits (could be days, could be weeks, could be months).

This isn't much use when you're trying to purchase land. Who do you go to in order to get this information?

Google searches have scared me with stories about people being told that they can't even USE agricultural land for dog training/exercising purposes - even when they have no requirement to build structures on the land! I'm not keen on purchasing the land with the view that "Probably no-one will notice what we're using it for". I want to be above board about everything.

We're in Scotland BTW.

DVardysShadow

Use the land for what it is authorised for and when you feel like it, exercise your dogs?