The Farms Estate Committee of Devon Council met on Thursday 26 February 2026 to discuss revenue and capital monitoring, and management and restructuring of county farms. Key decisions included the endorsement of financial monitoring reports, the approval of various land lettings and restructuring proposals across several farms, and the granting of consent for 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 for the year was £550,000. Rent arrears had improved significantly, decreasing from £533,000 in December 2025 to £416,000 by February 2026. The report also detailed expenditure on repairs, testing, and tree surveys, with some budget reallocations anticipated.

The Committee also endorsed the County Farms Estate Capital Monitoring report for 2025/26 (Month 10). The approved capital programme for the year was £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 year-end underspend of £175,097 was forecast due to access delays and planning application validation issues. The capital programme included various refurbishment schemes, new sewage treatment plants, and silage clamp replacements.

Management and Restructuring of County Farms

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to management and restructuring proposals for various county farms.

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. This land was previously part of a larger letting in 2021, and the current tenant of Lot 1 is vacating in March 2027. The proposal aims to offer this land as a progression opportunity for other tenants.

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 clear preference for this land to be let to a new entrant into farming, on an initial three-year Farm Business Tenancy. This aligns with the Council's strategic objectives to support new farmers and CPRE's recommendations for council farms. The current tenant has occupied the land on short-term agreements since 2011.

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. 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 for a seven-year Farm Business Tenancy. The current lease expires on 25 March 2027.

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. This will be for a term of up to seven years on a Farm Business Tenancy, commencing 25 March 2027. The farm buildings are currently held in hand pending redevelopment considerations.

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. This path will improve connectivity between Lower Town and the Jubilee Way. Crucially, the agreement will stipulate that the path never becomes a prescriptive right of way and that the County Council can extinguish the agreement with 12 months' notice.

Lower Chitterley Farm, Bickleigh

The Committee accepted the early surrender of the tenancy of Lower Chitterley Farm, Bickleigh. The farm will be advertised on the open market as a new entrant opportunity on a Farm Business Tenancy for up to seven years, commencing as soon as practically possible. The current tenants, who have proven to be competent, have secured an opportunity closer to 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, commencing 25 March 2027. Subsequently, the amalgamated Higher Fingle Farm, including the East Fingle Farm land, will be advertised on the open market as a new entrant opportunity for a seven-year Farm Business Tenancy, commencing 25 March 2028. This decision addresses delays in the tenant's planning application for farm shop expansion, which would have necessitated closure and potential loss of business if they had vacated as originally planned.

Holdings and Tenancies

Tenants' Monitoring Visits

The Committee resolved that further monitoring visits should 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 over 20-25 years, depending on the material used.

Great Southdown Farm, Burlescombe

The Committee resolved to uphold a Notice to Quit served on the tenant of Great Southdown Farm, Burlescombe, and to seek vacant possession on 25 March 2027. The current tenant will be offered, on a without prejudice basis, a tenancy of the semi-detached cottage forming part of the farm as alternative accommodation. The farm will then be advertised internally as a progression dairy farm for up to 15 years. 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 several existing tenants.