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County Farms

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County Farms

The County Farms Estate exists to provide opportunities for suitable people to farm on their own account who otherwise would not be able to do so.

As a large, physical and financial resource, it is regarded as a multi-functional estate.    The two major land holdings, referred to as the Donyatt and Quantock Estates, extend to just under 1400 hectares (3460 acres) and are used to provide tenancy opportunities when farms become available.

When the tenancies of the farms on the remainder of the County wide Estate come to an end, the future of the farm will receive consideration - having regard for its use for other County Council services, community/partnership projects, wider rural economy etc.  This will determine retention in whole or in part, or perhaps surplus to requirements in its entirety.

In the event of the latter, the property is offered to the open market place for sale.  Capital generated by disposal has been used to establish a Rural Regeneration Fund of £1 million; and contribute towards the funding of the County Council’s Capital Strategy.

As at 1 April 2009, the Estate extended to 2916  hectares (approximately 7200 acres).   This comprises  59 equipped farms (House, buildings and land)  35 of which are currently involved with the production of milk.

Services Offered

  • Day to day rural estate management
  • Formulation, implementation and review of strategic and operational management.
  • Reletting of farms
  • Rent reviews
  • Direction of reactive and planned maintenance
  • Farm improvements and effluent schemes
  • Woodland management
  • Disposals
  • Single Payment Scheme matters
  • Conservation/agric-environment schemes

 


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  •   What criteria have to be satisfied for a tenancy?
  •   How do I know when a farm becomes available for reletting?
  •   How much rent will I have to pay?
  •   For how many years will the tenancy last?
  •   Would I be limited to the type of business I run?

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