FENLAND: Council looks to raise some £2 million from sale of two farms from country's biggest estate

UP to £2 million could soon be winging its way into the coffers of the county council if they find buyers for two Fenland farms that have been put up for sale. The council, which has the largest farms estate of any local authority in the country, has put

UP to £2 million could soon be winging its way into the coffers of the county council if they find buyers for two Fenland farms that have been put up for sale.

The council, which has the largest farms estate of any local authority in the country, has put Red House Farm, March, up for sale with a reserve of £1.14 million.

Also up for sale is Upwood Common Farm near Ramsey which the council is expecting to sell for at least £760,000.

John MacMillan, county council rural estates manager, said the sales were part of an ongoing programme to release cash to find the council's capital programme.

"The council's capital programme is tied in with asset sales - if sales don't come through then new buildings don't happen," he said.

Red House Farm has come onto the market following the retirement of tenant farmer Arthur Mitcham and the council is selling the farm in three lots- a bungalow estimated to fetch £200,000, and two blocks of land, of 94 and 74 acres.

Upwood Common Farm, also on the market because of retirement, consists of 176 acres, with a farmyard and a large range of outbuildings which have development potential.

"We identified these farms about 10 years ago, and our management plans are reviewed every five years," said Mr MacMillan. "It's not as if it is a fire sale or anything. It's simply part of our normal management."

The sales are being carried out on behalf of the county council by Bidwells. For further information contact Ben Taylor on (01223) 559459, e-mail: Benjamin.taylor@bidwells.co.uk.

Cambridgeshire County Council's Farms Estate retains 250 tenants working more than 13,700 hectares (30,000 plus acres) of land.