I own some agricultural land in the Dordogne. I’d like to install a borehole for irrigation.
Does anyone know if I need to seek permission from anyone to do this? I could ask at the town hall, but so far all my dealings with the town hall have been counter-productive…
Thanks,
John
I think you will need to apply (and get) permission.
What dealings have been counter-productive at your local Mairie ???
Who would I need to get permission from?
I was told by the mairie that I could build a tractor shed on the land, just a declaration prelable was need. When I sent them that, they then said I needed to apply for full planning permission. When I sent them that, they declined, saying I wasn’t sufficiently qualified as an agriculturalist, though such a qualification was never mentioned when I started the process. I’ve kind of given up with the mairie - a neighbour lets me store my tractor and tools in his woodstore, so I’ll settle with that for now.
John
Obviously there are restrictions on the land which you may not have been aware of when you bought it.
Check your Deeds and see what, if anything, has changed since date of purchase.
“I wasn’t sufficiently qualified as an agriculturalist”
Judging by the reply - it sounds as if the land is in an area designated as Agricultural and, if so, there will be strict rules which apply to folk who want to work/build/whatever…
I was aware it was agricultural land I was buying and aware of the usual restrictions. Which was fine, because agriculture is what I’m doing there. I read the regulations, and talked to the mairie about what I wanted to do there before I bought it.
Anyway, is it the mairie I need permission from for a borehole?
John
Are you registered as a farmer? Because if so, I can’t see the problem?
No, I’m not registered as a farmer. Kind of made a start with that at the ministry of agriculture. Been a bit busy, chopping down bracken and brambles, planting fruit and nut trees… to busy farming to register…
Mmm… that could be the hiccup then.
Registering correctly might sort things out now. Although it will depend on which branch of Agriculture you are able to be Registered.
Do you have any Agricultural qualifications?
Incidentally, I am aware that, certainly in our region, farmers who extract water have to use a water-meter and pay the appropriate water charges… 
Welcome the land of red tape, which everyone know is cut lengthwise in France.
You’ll probably need permission from Saur as they own all the water in France having just made a fresh batch last week 
and whether or not you get any is in the lap of the gods…
I have “agricutural land” and when I applied to build a shelter for my horses it had to be moveable, not permanent, perhaps that is the reason your application is denied.
Sounds about typical of civil servant stupidity.
Oh I don’t know. Horses can be difficult to persuade to go into their stables. If the stables had wheels, jyou could just put the stable over the horse…
Phew! Thanks for that!
It’s probably something similar for agricultural land with water intended for irrigation.
As I was in the Mairie this morning… I asked a vague question…
As already suggested, the answer was swift: the person needs to go to their Mairie, discuss the proposal and complete whatever paperwork is required… following a strict route. However, permission is not always granted, depends on the individual circumstances.
Thanks!
Don’t forget that boreholes and sources other than tapwater are the first to be restricted in summer. Even if it’s your own well. There was talk of a substantial tax on wells, but not sure if that ever happened.
Check which kind of agricultural land you have according to the most recent PLUI. Quite a bit of agriultural land is now designated as highly protected which means no buildings of any sort. Your mairie will have the latest plans. It’s a simple question of looking at the designation (eg AP) and asking what it means.
It might not be the mayor’s fault; the plans may have been updated recently and the protection of the environmental has become top priority.