AN ESTATE where 24 redundant farm buildings now support 30 businesses was the venue for the launch of a unique farm diversification guide.

The Escrick Park estate at Escrick, near York, is a shining example of what diversification is all about. The developments have not only brought extra income to the estate but have saved buildings which would otherwise have fallen down.

Above all, it has provided a beautiful and peaceful setting for the 120 staff employed by the different businesses.

On Tuesday the estate played host to the launch of a down to earth guide designed to help the 8,500 North Yorkshire farmers diversify.

It is perhaps unique in that it has the agreement and full support of all nine planning authorities in North Yorkshire. The North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales national park authorities, the National Farmers' Union and Country Landowners' Association have also signed up.

The guide is designed to help farmers and landowners get the best out of the planning system. It aims to reduce fuss and delay and should provide consistency among planners in the county.

Coun Tim Cole, North Yorkshire county council executive member for business and consumer services, told guests at the launch that he hoped farmers and landowners would make the most of the guide.

"If we can harness the best features of the planning system, the effort will have been worthwhile," he said.

Mr Charlie Forbes-Adam of the Escrick estate said his experience of diversification had made him very positive about the planning process.

The launch was held in the high-tech conference suite of Nelson Investment Planning.

"This building, just over two years ago, did not have a roof," said Mr Forbes-Adam. "The tiles had fallen off and there was just the beams; now it is a state-of-the-art seminar room."

Mr Forbes-Adam believed diversification was the only way some farms could survive. "I really welcome today's planning guide, it is sending a real message to farmers that planners in this county want to take a positive approach to farm diversification," he said.

Mr Paul Weightman, northern regional manager for Nelson's, explained how the company managed capital worth just under £1bn for 15,000 customers. It uses high-tech methods but is visited by customers, so the Escrick estate was an ideal location.

"This is a fantastic unit," he said, "We wanted to expand into out of town investment centres, close to cities but in rural areas. We are five or six miles from the city centre and it is easy to get to us. It is a nice culture for employees to work in and for people to come to."

The high-tech equipment means the company does not have to be in a city centre. Mr Weightman pressed a button to call up stock exchange movements on a large screen. "The governor of the Bank of England could be looking at this right now," he said.

Coun John Blackie represents Upper Wensleydale, Swaledale and Arkengarthdale. He is on the county council, is leader of Richmondshire district and sits on the Yorkshire Dales national park authority.

His "patch" covers 275 square miles and is home to 5,000 people and 100,000 sheep.

He said there were 8,000 farmers in the uplands; 25pc were in his constituency, and 35pc of those in Upper Swale-dale. It would be impossible for those numbers to be maintained and many would have to diversify to survive.

"While farm diversification is not a panacea for everyone, it is a remedy for some," he said.

"I only hope the spirit of the guide will rub off on planning authorities and that officers will move heaven and earth to push schemes that could be given the thumbs-up through the system as quickly as possible.

"Too often they have got bogged down in bureaucratic treacle, and the applicants' enthusiasm with it.

"We all hope we will deliver the results we so desperately seek - a living, working, thriving countryside."

Many of the businesses at Escrick are high-tech, including a firm providing computer software for opticians which plans to establish a national call centre there.

Another, Pericon Systems, now in a former stable block, provides software to the legal profession. Mrs Maureen Phillips, office manager, said the staff loved their new offices.

A Planning Guide to Farm Diversification in North Yorkshire, is available from local planning offices