The authority's Conservative-controlled cabinet is due to agree a revised strategy for its 16,800 acre County Farms estate - which brings in almost £2.55m a year.

Officers at County Hall are recommending that the boundaries of some of the 210 farms need to be redrawn.

They say that changes are needed because those farms are considered to be too small to be viable as successful farm businesses.

Councillors will be asked to agree to bring in changes to boundaries when tenancies are coming to an end or where tenants are approaching retirement age.

It would include bringing farms separated by neighbouring farmland together and making some farms bigger.

Some of the land could be sold off, to boost the coffers of a council which is making £42m of cuts and savings this year.

The council's cabinet will make a decision over the County Farms strategy at a meeting on Monday.

Jane James, the council's cabinet member for corporate services and innovation, previously said the changes were needed to "keep in step with the changing needs of British agriculture".

She said it would help support the farming community by opening up opportunities for new tenants to secure economically viable farms.

Officers had stressed the total estate would not fall below 16,000 acres, but the move has attracted criticism.

Brian Watkins, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group at Norfolk County Council (Image: Liberal Democrats)

Brian Watkins, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group at County Hall, said: "It is understandable that with the dire state of local government finances this council is looking to maximise the income potential of its estate.

"However, I am concerned that this redrawing of County Farm boundaries diverts from their original purpose and larger farms, with larger costs, will discourage aspiring farmers from entering the profession.

"I’m also concerned with the potential impact on the environment that larger holdings could have."

Green county councillor Ben Price and Labour county councillor Terry Jermy also previously raised concerns over the revised approach.

QOSHE - Boundaries of scores of Norfolk farms could be changed in controversial move - Dan Grimmer
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Boundaries of scores of Norfolk farms could be changed in controversial move

6 0
06.04.2024

The authority's Conservative-controlled cabinet is due to agree a revised strategy for its 16,800 acre County Farms estate - which brings in almost £2.55m a year.

Officers at County Hall are recommending that the boundaries of some of the 210 farms need to be redrawn.

They say that changes are needed because those farms are considered to be too small to be viable as successful farm businesses.

Councillors will be asked to agree to bring in changes to boundaries when tenancies are coming to an end or where tenants are approaching........

© Eastern Daily Press


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