10-year FBT offer for new entrant on Cumbrian stock farm

A new entrant will get the chance to start a stock-rearing enterprise with a 10-year farm business tenancy (FBT) near Carlisle.

Slealands Farm, near Longtown in Cumbria, has 175-acres of Grade 3 land, a good range of traditional and modern buildings and a farmhouse.

The agents marketing the farm suggest it could be “a perfect walk-in opportunity” for a young farmer looking to set up their own business.

See also: How to become a county council farm tenant

The property is available either as a whole or in two lots, with an FBT start-date of 1 September 2018.

Lots of potential

Lot one includes the main steading along with 63 acres of productive grazing and mowing land which is split into five fields.

The range of outbuildings includes the former byre, stores, lambing shed and sheep pens, cubicle shed, covered midden and loose housing.

The three-bedroom farmhouse is a traditional build with an oil-fired Rayburn and wood-burning stove.

Lot two is split into six fields and offers 110 acres of good quality grassland, suitable for grazing and mowing.

‘Landlord keen’

Jonathan Hird, graduate surveyor for H&H Land and Property said: “This livestock farm is suitable for both beef and sheep and has a very good range of outbuildings.

“The FBT is across 10 years, so it allows someone to establish a good farming enterprise.

“The landlord is keen to see applications from young entrants and wants to give someone the chance to start their own farming career, or gain a good farming base for any existing small farming enterprises.”

But H&H is also stressing that as an FBT in Cumbria is likely to be highly sought after, any tender will need to be both “realistic” and “viable”.

According to the Tenant Farmers Association, opportunities for new tenancies across England and Wales are few and far between at the moment, making competition fierce among prospective tenants.

But the association is warning applicants not to get carried away when bidding and end up striking a deal which overstretches them.

Tender forms are to be submitted no later than noon on Monday 23 July 2018, with applicants also invited to attend one of two open days ahead of that deadline.