Herefordshire Council to sell off tenant farms

Tenant farmers are "inconsolable" after the council that owns their plots confirmed plans to sell, a union says.

Herefordshire Council's cabinet unanimously agreed to sell off the authority's smallholdings as it looks to cut costs.

The move has been criticised by the National Farmers' Union (NFU), saying nearly 50 families will be affected.

However, the council said the sale provided "best value" for taxpayers' money.

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The sale, of 45 holdings, comes despite the council's own general overview and scrutiny committee recommending only a partial sale of the estate.

The farming estate runs over 4,800 acres (19.42 sq km) of land in a number of locations across the county.

A plan for the disposals will be drawn up by April.

Clare Greener, NFU Herefordshire county adviser and spokesman for the tenants, said the news came as "a devastating blow" to families who now face losing their livelihoods.

"Herefordshire farming families have faced serious upheaval throughout this process, unable to plan for the future, and they will be inconsolable," she said.

"We understand there are pressures on council budgets but they are a valuable resource and properly managed can provide sustainable long term income; we remain convinced that they should not just be cashed in."

Tim Lane, who has been a tenant farmer near Kington for 16 years, fears his family may have to move once their agreement ends in 2017, and criticised the council.

"We don't know what's going on," he said.

Defending the decision, Harry Bramer, cabinet member for contracts and assets, said existing councillors will take a "supportive and sympathetic approach" to tenants, adding they could be given the chance to buy the holdings they currently occupy.

"I understand that this has been an uncertain time for tenants," he said.