The overarching farms estate strategy was approved by Cabinet in January 2012 and supplemented by the findings of a Cabinet Review Group during 2013. Options for the structure of the wider estate were further considered in July 2015 confirming that Over Bank and Underbank Farms should be combined to create one Entry Level 2 opportunity and release one property for disposal. Parts of the farm have been identified as ‘Safeguarded’ land in the current Cheshire East Local Plan.
This tenancy opportunity has been advertised to all existing tenants by informal tender and applications considered in the context of the recent lettings at Ridley, which were advertised on the open market. A viable proposal has been received from a tenant of an Entry Level 1 sized farm to farm the combined units as a stock farm.
Whilst the alternative of offering the tenancy on the open market could result in the farm continuing to be used as a dairy unit, the rent receivable is unlikely to be significantly greater and such an approach would undermine the further reorganizational opportunity that this approach creates within the estate. In addition the retention of the farmstead of Underbank Farm would be inconsistent with the current strategy and serve no operational purpose, retaining a property of significant value with an inherent maintenance liability and little or no potential to secure a sustainable net positive return.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Wards affected: Gawsworth;