COUNTY FARM ESTATE HAS JUST 63 REMAINING AFTER SELL-OFFS

STAFFORDSHIRE County Council's new Reform UK administration has halted the sale of county farms during its first 100 days in power.

- By KERRY ASHDOWN

Cabinet members have also spoken out against use of land on the county farms estate for renewable energy schemes such as solar panels and battery energy storage systems - although the use of buildings will be considered.

The selloff of county farms has proved controversial over the years. In 2008, the council’s then-Labour administration considered selling off many of its farms - a move that was strongly opposed by the agricultural community and later dropped.

Several farms have been sold in more recent years however. In 2019, the Conservative administration revealed plans to sell off 16 farms from its rural estate to raise funds for services.

The authority aimed to raise around £20m from the sales, with proceeds earmarked for investments in health, care and infrastructure. Farms sold in the first round included sites in Rugeley, Gnosall, Eccleshall and Hilderstone.