The Farms Estate Committee of Devon Council met on Thursday 26 February 2026 to review financial monitoring reports and make decisions on the management and restructuring of various farms within the County Farms Estate. Key decisions included the re-letting of several parcels of land, the acceptance of an early surrender of a tenancy, and the approval of tenant improvements.

Revenue and Capital Monitoring

The Committee endorsed the report on the County Farms Estate Revenue Monitoring for 2025/26 (Month 10). It was noted that the target surplus of £550,000 for the year was on track to be delivered. A positive development highlighted was the improvement in rent arrears, which had decreased from £533,000 in December 2025 to £416,000 by February 2026.

The Committee also endorsed the County Farms Estate Capital Monitoring report for 2025/26 (Month 10). The approved capital programme for the year stood at £900,000, with an additional £558,836 carried over from the previous year, making a total of £1,458,836 available. Expenditure to date was £619,479, primarily on farmhouse improvements, with a further £629,291 committed. A forecast underspend of £175,097 was anticipated due to access delays and planning application validation issues. The report detailed various enhancement and improvement projects, including refurbishments, new sewage treatment plants, and silage clamps.

Management and Restructuring of Farms

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to decisions regarding the management and restructuring of various holdings within the County Farms Estate.

Land at Glebe Farm, Roborough

The Committee resolved to advertise 13.97 hectares (34.52 acres) of land at Glebe Farm, Roborough for internal competition among existing tenants. The tenancy will be for a term of up to five years, commencing on 25 March 2027, under a Farm Business Tenancy¹. This decision follows a previous resolution in 2021 to let the land in two lots, with the current tenants having secured these lots. One tenant is vacating their main holding but will retain this land for the residual term.

Land at Greenhills Farm, West Anstey

The 19.87 acres of land at Greenhills Farm, West Anstey, will be re-let on the open market. The Committee expressed a preference for this land to be let to a new entrant into farming, on an initial three-year Farm Business Tenancy Agreement commencing 25 March 2026. This aligns with the aims of the County Farms Estate Strategic Review 2010 and the CPRE Report Reimagining Council Farms – A vision for 2040 . The current tenant has occupied the land since 2011 on a series of short-term agreements but has decided not to continue farming it.

Cobberton Farm, Dartington

The Committee resolved that the current tenant of Cobberton Farm, Dartington, must submit any request for a tenancy extension by 30 April 2026 for committee approval. If no request is made, or if it is rejected, the farm will be advertised on the open market as a new entrant dairy farm opportunity. The tenancy will be a Farm Business Tenancy for seven years, commencing 25 March 2027. Cobberton Farm is a well-equipped dairy unit and the decision aims to ensure its continued viability.

Glebe Farm, Rattery

The 45.61 acres of bare land at Glebe Farm, Rattery, will be advertised for internal competition between the tenants of Cobberton Farm, Dartington, and Kerswell Farm, South Brent. The tenancy will be for up to seven years, commencing 25 March 2027, under a Farm Business Tenancy. The former farmhouse at Glebe Farm was sold previously, and the retained buildings and land were kept for development potential and as 'away' land for nearby dairy holdings.

Part Cordwents Farm, Halberton

A permissive path agreement will be granted to the Parish Council to construct and maintain a footpath along the east headland of NG pt 3881 at Part Cordwents Farm, Halberton. This path will improve connectivity between Lower Town and the Jubilee Way. Crucially, the agreement stipulates that the path will never become a prescriptive right of way and that the County Council can extinguish the agreement with 12 months' notice. The land is retained for its development potential, and the agreement must not compromise this.

Lower Chitterley Farm, Bickleigh

The Committee accepted the tenants' early surrender of Lower Chitterley Farm, Bickleigh. The farm will be advertised on the open market as a new entrant opportunity with a Farm Business Tenancy for up to seven years, commencing as soon as practically possible and terminating on 25 March 2033. The current tenants, who were described as highly competent and valued , have been offered a farming opportunity closer to their home in Wales.

Higher Fingle Farm, Drewsteignton

The tenant of Higher Fingle Farm, Drewsteignton, will be allowed to occupy the holding for a further fixed and final two-year term, expiring 25 March 2028. Additionally, 55.90 acres of land forming part of East Fingle Farm will be let to the same tenant on an interim management agreement for 12 months, from 25 March 2027 to 25 March 2028. Subsequently, the farmhouse, buildings, and land at Higher Fingle Farm, along with the adjoining land from East Fingle Farm, will be amalgamated and advertised on the open market. This will be offered as a new entrant opportunity with a Farm Business Tenancy for seven years, commencing 25 March 2028. These arrangements are to accommodate delays in the tenant's planning process for new farm shop premises, which would have necessitated an earlier vacation of Higher Fingle Farm.

Holdings and Tenancies

Tenants' Monitoring Visits

The Committee resolved that further monitoring visits be conducted in Autumn 2026 for the tenants of Southacott Farm, Mariansleigh, and Middle Winsham Farm, Braunton, once their finalised accounts are available.

Request for Landlord's Consent for Tenants' Improvements

Conditional landlord's consent was granted for the tenant of Higher Artiscombe Farm, Gulworthy, to construct a general purpose and livestock building. The cost of the building will be written down in value to £100 over a 20 or 25-year period, depending on the material used.

Great Southdown Farm, Burlescombe

The Committee upheld a Notice to Quit served on the tenant of Great Southdown Farm, Burlescombe, with vacant possession to be sought on 25 March 2027. The current tenant will be offered, on a without prejudice basis, a tenancy of the semi-detached cottage on the farm as alternative living accommodation. The farm will then be advertised internally as a progression dairy farm for up to 15 years, commencing 25 March 2027. If the tenant does not accept the cottage offer, it will be included in the farm letting. Additionally, 28.76 hectares (71.11 acres) of land at Southwoods Farm, Uffculme, will be advertised for internal competition among existing tenants for a five-year Farm Business Tenancy, commencing 25 March 2027.