Applying for a council farm

Rich EJ

New Member
Hi,
Newbie here. So the farm where I keep.my horse is coming up for tender, since the last tenant passed away. I have been managing the place voluntary for the last 2 years. It's 35 acres, with 16 loose boxes and a run down house.
My question is, do you think I would have any chance of getting the tenancy with having no agricultural experience? I have used contractors to manage the land thus far.
If I were to put a tender in, what is the average price per acre of land, it's grade 3 grass.
And any other tips to add in to my application.
Thank you
 

chaffcutter

Moderator
Arable Farmer
Location
S. Staffs
Is there a house included? Seems that Councils are looking at the rent for the house being competitive locally with the rent for the land on top, makes it look expensive.

If you have been in charge for some time already you've got your foot in the door there, are the council agents aware of this situation?

you need to get a budget down on paper to work out what you can afford to pay for it.
 

Rich EJ

New Member
Thanks Chafcutter,
Yes, he is aware and said that I would have an advantage as I know the business but don't know if he was just being nice
 

JCMaloney

Member
Location
LE9 2JG
I would be asking whereabouts you are as some councils are looking at off loading farms especially those that can benefit from development and attract a premium value.
 

multi power

Member
Location
pembrokeshire
Any council farms I've seen you must have something like 5 years agricultural experience, however if this is a equine holding and you have a horse you obviously have some experience
 

Rich EJ

New Member
The council wanted to make another 10-15 year tenancy with the previous tenants daughter but she's not interested in taking it on. Currently land classed as green belt but in the wider plan to build on one day as open ended avenues onto land.
I've got 30+ years experience with horses
 

Flat 10

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Fen Edge
Do a thorough business plan and work out what you can afford, show this to the agent. Also do you know what previous tenant was paying?
 

Rich EJ

New Member
When I asked how much it was going to cost me, she said 2k a year was what she paid. Her family have had the farm for many years though. She will give me the accounts to prepare a business plan
 

Still Farming

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
South Wales UK
Always someone( possibly on here too so watch what you say), offer higher.
Then when got it around here with this Council ,plead poverty and say can't cope and go "cap in hand" to Council to get a reduction.
Then when Council sold off the "crown jewels " small holdings they bought them for a "song" as sitting tenants.
Stayed there for a while then cashed in mega bucks all detrimental to the Tax payers ?:scratchhead::mad:
 
Last edited:

Flat 10

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
Fen Edge
When I asked how much it was going to cost me, she said 2k a year was what she paid. Her family have had the farm for many years though. She will give me the accounts to prepare a business plan
Are you sure you don’t mean 12k?! Just how run down is the house and whose responsibility is maintainence
 

kill

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South West
Hi,
Newbie here. So the farm where I keep.my horse is coming up for tender, since the last tenant passed away. I have been managing the place voluntary for the last 2 years. It's 35 acres, with 16 loose boxes and a run down house.
My question is, do you think I would have any chance of getting the tenancy with having no agricultural experience? I have used contractors to manage the land thus far.
If I were to put a tender in, what is the average price per acre of land, it's grade 3 grass.
And any other tips to add in to my application.
Thank you
Have a go as if don't try then you won't win if that's what you'd like to do.
 

neilo

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Montgomeryshire
No definitely 2. The house is full of damp and woodworm. They've always been lay low and don't bother the council for repairs

They won’t be legally allowed to rent it out in that condition, certainly not on a new tenancy. They will either look to sell it off, or spend a significant sum getting up to spec, which they will need to recover in rent.
 

Still Farming

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
South Wales UK
They won’t be legally allowed to rent it out in that condition, certainly not on a new tenancy. They will either look to sell it off, or spend a significant sum getting up to spec, which they will need to recover in rent.
Did same around here but with a council house.
Same women lived there 70 yrs all ok and always stuff done to it free by council when ones that bought adjoining had big bills anyhow women died then council gutted it clad outside energy efficient products.
Then new "wise" social housing" so called" single women and kids move in ,sublet friend in also?, then complained damp mould, they then re house her temp council house down the road and associated costs ,now after months nearly a year she has moved back in.
The cost to the tax payer is crazy but social services, council etc etc "dance to their tunes".
You never know what The Council will do so don't take anything for granted untill your in?
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 79 42.0%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 66 35.1%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 30 16.0%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 7 3.7%

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

  • 1,292
  • 1
As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
Top