FARMERS across the two counties have been warned against the dangers of rushing into development deals following the "collapse" of their incomes.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has warned farmers not to rush into business deals "amid chronic rural recession".

"All land sale agreements should be thoroughly checked by professional advisers before signing, no matter how attractive the promised financial lifeline may appear to be," said David Price, who is the assistant regional director for the CLA in Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

He said all development projects needed to be "carefully designed and formulated" in order to win the planning consent necessary to provide the new homes and business premises urgently needed in the countryside.

CLA regional director for the West Midlands, Frances Beatty, said farmers should be wary of signing "kitchen table" deals with developers, which may not be as good as they seem.

"We still see cases where people sign an option agreement to sell their land to the first developer to knock on the door," she said.

"Very often, it is only later that owners discover these premature deals are not nearly as lucrative as they first appeared."

She said she knew of a farmer who had literally signed an agreement on the bonnet of his tractor.

"It was definitely a case of acting in haste, repenting at leisure," she said.

She said that owners should always seek professional advice before selling anything and that developers should agree to pay the "full legitimate costs" of professional advisers chosen by the seller.

"And always be aware that the developer is probably also approaching your neighbour," she added.

"It is safer to work hand-in-hand with any neighbours when entering into an arrangement that may cover more than one land ownership."

She said the countryside needed new homes and business development but not "urban-style estates tacked onto villages", adding a well-designed and "sensitively planned" project was more likely to gain planning approval and community support.

Formed in 1907, the CLA works to restore profitability to farming and other rural businesses. Its 6,000 members in the West Midlands represent two hundred different business categories.

This week, the CLA has a stand at the Confederation of British Industry conference at Birmingham's International Convention Centre to highlight its increasing focus on business matters as well as land management issues.