6 farm business tenancy opportunities in England and Wales

Six farm business tenancy (FBT) agreements are available across England and Wales, ranging in length from four and a half years to 10 years.

The arable and livestock holdings start at just seven acres, with the largest at 530 acres, and are a combination of county farms and private contracts.

George Dunn, Tenant Farmers Association chief executive, has criticised the trend towards offering shorter tenancy terms and has called for average lengths to be at least 10 years.

See also: One year on: Britain’s youngest council farm tenant

The total area of land under FBTs in England is 3.13m acres, as recorded in Defra’s most recent Farm Rents report, and the average length of term on new FBTs is only 3.21 years, with 89% of all new FBTs let for five years or shorter.

“The let market is becoming increasingly characterised by a worrying degree of short-termism,” said Mr Dunn.

“The short-term nature of tenancies is holding back progression, investment and sustainable land use.”

Oxfordshire

There are three tenancy opportunities on the Blenheim Estate © Blenheim Estate

Three of the tenancy opportunities, covering a total of 1,250 acres, are in Woodstock and Stonesfield, and are part of the 12,000-acre Blenheim Estate.

Two lots – one 208 acres, the other 515 acres – include bare Grade 3 arable land. The third lot has 530 acres of arable land, a grain dryer and store.

Offered on 10-year terms without a formal break clause, the agreements would begin in September 2021.

Estates director Roy Cox said the tenancies would suit both local farmers and those from further afield, due to their size, agreement length and holding quality.

Creative and innovative applicants with an understanding of the environment and the new era agriculture is entering are welcomed.

Further information, including full particulars, will be available from Friday 7 May. Interested parties can contact Ross Kent at Carter Jonas by email. 

Viewing dates are to be confirmed but will likely take place towards the end of May.

The deadline for tender applications is Wednesday 16 June, and there will be subsequent interviews for the shortlisted applicants.

Staffordshire

Holding Number 3 at Yarlet, near Stafford, is available on a 10-year FBT from summer 2021 with Staffordshire County Council.

The 72-acre starter dairy farm has a three-bedroom property and a range of buildings that include a six-stall abreast parlour and cubicle housing.

Viewing details are yet to be confirmed.

To request a set of particulars, applicants should email county.farms@staffordshire.gov.uk with the subject line “Starter dairy farm – 3 Yarlet”, and provide their full name, address and telephone number.

Staffordshire County Council lets about 7,900 acres, according to the latest Defra data, covering to 31 March 2020.

The local authority announced plans to sell 1,700 acres across 16 holdings in February 2019.

Powys

Powys County Council has two holdings to let from July 2021.

The first, Maesteg, Caersws, is a 19-acre grassland unit with a three-bedroom house and buildings. It is on offer for a tenancy term of seven and a half years.

Parcpenprys, also near Caersws, has seven acres of grassland, a three-bedroom bungalow and one farm building. It is available on an FBT for four and a half years.

The council has requested applicants have sufficient financial resources to stock and equip the property, plus a proven background in farming, with sound practical experience.

To request particulars, applicants should email county.farms@powys.gov.uk and provide their full name, address and contact telephone number.

Powys County Council owns the most land of all the local authorities in Wales at 10,845 acres, according to the most recent government figures.