Another large farm being sold off by Somerset Council

Pond Farm lies west of the A358 in the small village of Donyatt, between Ilminster and Chard, and comprises a bungalow, ancillary farm buildings and nearly 83 acres (around 33.5 hectares) of farmland.

Somerset Council agreed in November 2023 to review its existing county farms as part of a wider review of its assets, land and property, with a view to selling off those which were surplus to requirement and using the proceeds to fund essential services.

This farm will now be sold off in three lots on the open market, around the same time as a similar farm is disposed off near the A303 on the outskirts of Wincanton.

The council previously agreed to dispose of five acres (just over two hectares) of the farm and ancillary buildings, which were remodelled to accommodate the previous late tenant’s son and his associated agricultural business.

The bungalow and just over 46 acres (nearly 19 hectares) will be sold off in three lots on the open market, with an uplift clause being in place so that the council will benefit from any increase in value if the land is subsequently developed.

The remainder of the land – just over 31 acres, or nearly 13 hectares – will be retained by the council and either re-let to a local farmer or used to deliver biodiversity net gain (such as the creation of a wildflower meadow or wetlands).

David Ashton, one of the council’s property officers, said in his written report: “As a result of our financial position, and reliance on a capitalisation directive, the council is committed to a rationalisation of its property and land portfolio, reducing holding and management costs and achieving capital receipts.”

Under normal circumstances, the sale of land, property or other assets (i.e. capital receipts) cannot be used to fund day-to-day spending on front-line services (revenue spending).

However, the council received permission in February from central government – for the third year running – to use the sale of assets for this purpose, as well as for funding its ongoing transformation programme.

The council has not published how much it expects to generate from the sale of the farm, citing commercial sensitivity.