The Council is committed to supporting local food production on its agricultural land and encouraging regenerative land management across our estate. The rural estate plays a vital role in delivering the policies of the Council’s Land Management Framework.
The Council is required to seek best offers to be fair and transparent and therefore will advertise any lettings of farms and/or land on the open market via an agent. These are advertised on website portals and within relevant publications.
When applying for a farm tenancy on the Council’s rural estate, it asks prospective tenants to produce a business plan which includes a comprehensive financial forecast and evidence of investment capability.
It also asks tenants to create and commit to a management plan for the land. This must consider how the management of the farm will contribute to soil health, trees, water, carbon and community. The plan is created in collaboration with Council officers and a monitoring plan agreed upon to measure positive outcomes.
Shortlisted applicants are often invited to present their proposal and the Council welcomes this to start the beginnings of the working relationship as Landlord and Tenant.
Prospective farm tenants will be sent terms for a Farm Business Tenancy which would include the rent payable, permitted use of the holding, basis of rent review and any repairing responsibilities.
All properties are currently fully let, but if you would like to find out more, please contact the Property Estates Team by emailing:
landandproperty-enquiries@surreycc.gov.uk or contact us via our contact centre.
Land Management Framework