County Farms

Leicestershire County Council owns and manages a County Farms estate extending to approximately 2,930 hectares (7,240 acres), the majority of which is let farmland, utilised for dairy, beef, sheep and arable farming. The estate is split into 38 individual estates, located throughout the county, which are further sub-divided into a core of 78 farms, ranging in size from 1.8 ha (4.5 acres) to 75 ha (185 acres), together with over 80 minor lettings, and in-hand land which includes a number of semi-natural woodlands and several areas of significant ecological interest.

Leicestershire’s estate is the 12th largest County Farms estate nationally, and contributes to the national agenda for management and future development of local authority rural estates, in addition to involving stakeholders such as the CLA, NFU and TFA in the strategic decisions affecting the estate at a local level.

The County Farms team are based at County Hall, Glenfield, and are intensively involved in the management of the Authority’s rural property portfolio, as well as advising the authority on rural property matters, and providing valuation and management advice.

From time to time the County Farms estate offers property to rent; we do not hold a mailing list or waiting list for this purpose. All property which becomes available is advertised, either in the Farmers Weekly in the case of commercial farms, or in the local press in the case of grazing land, in accordance with approved strategy. Outline details of commercial farms will also be available to view on this website when they become available. Full details including the application pack will be available on request and subject to payment of the relevant application fee.

The tenancy of a County Farm is available to all persons who have a minimum of 5 years full time agricultural experience, which may include up to 3 years in formal agricultural training. Applicants will be expected to have a significant proportion of the capital required for their proposed enterprise available, without recourse to borrowing. Full details of the terms and conditions of the letting will be available in the letting particulars of the property.

All County Farms are let under the provisions of the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995, usually on 15 year Farm Business Tenancies. Grazing land may be let on seasonal licences or short term Farm Business Tenancies.