Farms estate not for sale, insists council amid smallholder fears

A FRESH policy for the huge Powys County farms estate will not result in its wholesale disposal, council bosses have insisted.

- By ELGAN HEARN Local Democracy Reporter

Farmers and agricultural unions are fighting to save a large farming estate owned by Powys council amid selloff plans that tenants say will affect the rural Welsh-speaking community by taking away a crucial stepping stone for young farmers.

Comprising 138 holdings and 10,700 acres of land, the Powys farms estate stands as the largest of its type in Wales and ranks fifth largest across the UK.

According to the Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) the estate is important for young farmers and those new to the industry, who often initially can't afford to buy their own land.

Earlier this month, The Guardian reported that a total of 19 tenants living and working on 130 smallholdings, or about 15%, have been served with notices to quit since the local authority began sending eviction letters in February this year.

The report by head of planning and regulatory services, Gwilym Davies said: “The draft policy sets out the proposed strategic vision, management objectives and operational framework for the council rural estate.

“It aims to ensure that the estate is a dynamic, resilient, and forward looking asset, that supports the council's broader ambitions.”

This policy will supersede the 2018 county farm estate delivery plan and will be utilised alongside the corporate asset policy.