Agenda item - Court Farm Surrender

Report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture

That the Committee:

1)        Authorise the surrender of the Agricultural Holdings Act Tenancy on the terms proposed at paragraph 3.3.

2)        Authorise the letting of the land surrendered by way of 2 Farm Business Tenancies to existing council farm tenants, of adjacent farms, terms to be approved by the Assistant Director Property & Design in consultation with the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Culture.

21.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Culture that sought authorisation for surrender of the major part of the existing Agricultural Holding Act (AHA) tenancy of Court Farm for authorisation of the letting of the land surrendered by way of two Farm Business Tenancies (FBT).

21.2      Councillor Sykes stated that whilst he welcomed the report, he had concerns that commercialisation of the remaining land under AHA tenancy may occur, specifically that it may be developed for overflow parking from the AMEX Stadium and whether there was opportunity under the new tenancies for the council to have some influence of the use of the land for social and ecological ends.

21.3      The council’s agent from Savill’s explained that in relation to use of the remaining land, no agreement had been made on its use and any alteration from agricultural use would need to be agreed by the council and planning consent obtained from the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA). 

21.4      RESOLVED- That the Committee:

1)        Authorise the surrender of the Agricultural Holdings Act Tenancy on the terms proposed at paragraph 3.3.

2)        Authorise the letting of the land surrendered by way of 2 Farm Business Tenancies to existing council farm tenants, of adjacent farms, terms to be approved by the Assistant Director Property & Design in consultation with the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Culture.