Four 10-year farm tenancies up for grabs in Norfolk
Four county farms in Norfolk of between 43 and 190 acres on 10-year farm business tenancies are up for grabs.
More than 460 acres of Norfolk County Council’s estate will be open for tender from Monday (21 January).
The farms are part of Mautby, Hilgay and Southery estates. Compulsory viewing dates will take place in February and March and prospective tenants will need to provide a business plan as part of their application, due online by 14 March.
See also: Five farm tenancies open for tender in Cambridgeshire
Cllr Barry Stone, chairman of Norfolk County Council’s business and property committee, said: “These farms present opportunities for people at all stages of their farming career and reinforce Norfolk County Council’s commitment to sustain and create rural employment throughout the county.
“We are particularly excited at the prospect of adding a third care farm to the County Farms estate, which already has two farms that use farming practices very successfully to provide therapeutic services.
“Through care farming, the estate can support vulnerable people to live their lives independently and to the fullest extent possible.”
Full details about the farms and the application process can be found on Norfolk County Council’s website.
The council, in conjunction with Anglia Rural Consultants (ARC), is offering an intensive training course specifically designed to assist new entrants and those unfamiliar with producing a business plan.
This free course will be delivered over two sessions from 10am to 4pm on Wednesday 20 February and Wednesday 27 February at South Green Park, Mattishall.
To register for a place, email county.farms@norfolk.gov.uk with the subject line “Farm Applicant Training” and provide your name (together with the name of any partner attending with you) and contact details before 5pm on Tuesday 12 February.
See also: 4 farmers tell us how they secured county council tenancies
Upper Wood Farm South, Mautby Estate
© c Joseph John Casey, Norfolk County Council
This holding of 84.35 acres has Grade 3 land, with loamy and clayey soils, a three-bedroom house and a range of farm buildings. The farm is currently under an arable rotation.
The tenancy will commence on 11 October 2019 and the viewing day is Friday 15 February from 10am to 4pm.
Applicants for this farm must aim to establish a care farm enterprise.
Ashcroft Farm land, Southery Estate
© Norfolk County Council
The Grade 1 land, currently under an arable rotation, has loamy and sandy soils, and is offered as a whole or in four lots.
The 42.95-acre holding does not include a house or any buildings and is available for viewing on Tuesday 12 February between 10am and 4pm. The tenancy will begin on 11 October 2019.
Fen Farm, Hilgay Estate
© Joseph John Casey, Norfolk County Council
This 189.45-acre holding has Grade 1 land, currently under arable rotation, with loamy and sandy soils.
It includes two yards at separate farms, a three-bedroom house and a range of buildings.
The viewing date is Thursday 14 February between 10am and 4pm and the tenancy will commence on 11 October 2020.
Paston Farm, Mautby Estate
© Joseph John Casey, Norfolk County Counci
With predominantly Grade 3 land, loamy and clayey soils and marshland, this 150.29-acre holding is available for inspection on Friday 15 February from 10am to 4pm.
Only applications that are wholly or predominantly livestock based will be accepted for the farm, which also includes a three-bedroom house and a range of buildings.
The tenancy will begin on 11 October 2019.