Purpose

The proposed disposal supports the Council's Asset Disposal Programme and Medium-Term Financial Strategy.

Decision

To dispose of St Leonards Farm, Hollins Hill, Esholt, Bradford. BD17 7RB (property ARN 50548)

The property is identified in the appendix.

Property Description
The farmhouse and buildings are quite centrally situated in Esholt village with the associated grazing land located to the north and west, lying between Esholt Lane / Chapel Lane to the south and Hollins Hill to the north.
The site has been let since 1st December 1994 under the provisions of the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986. The current rent is £8,075pa.
The farmhouse has four bedrooms and is of traditional stone construction with a stone slate roof. It requires upgrading and redecoration. The accommodation extends to approximately 1500 sq ft.
Predominantly to the west of the house is a substantial range of traditional and more modern farm buildings, formerly used as a dairy farm and as a visitor attraction but currently redundant having ceased trading in 2019. The traditional buildings offer scope for redevelopment and change of use but access is constrained and would need to be improved. (ARN53126 may offer scope for this.)
The land is all grass pasture and covers c.80 acres. It is currently being sub-let by the tenant under two separate grazing licences, each of about 40 acres.

Alternative options considered

Retain the property and continue to manage as part of the Council owned non-operational estate.