Decision details

Exemption from publication: There are confidential appendices to this report, which are exempt by virtue of paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of Part 1 of Schedule 12a of the Local Government Act 1972 because they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

To issue two grazing licences for Parts Huntsmoor Park Farm

The Farm Business Tenancy expired on 28th September 2023 following which the land is now vacant. Three off lying parcels of land from the main holding have been identified for tree planting totalling 19.37 acres. These parcels will not be required until autumn 2024 for the planting so in order that the land remains managed and the Council retains an income it is recommended that the land is licensed to the tenant until then.

The remaining 60.21 acres surrounds the Huntsmoor Park Farm farmstead and will be let to the tenant on a separate agreement. It is recommended that this land is let on a grazing licence to the tenant for the following season.

This farm was originally earmarked for the expansion of Heathrow (3rd runway). As that project has collapsed the land is no longer required for that purpose.

Another option is that the land is not let on a licence until the tree planting season, this would result in lost revenue and management issues with the land.
The land could be marketed to let for a year but any potential rent increases would be outweighed by the marketing and professional costs in advertising and re-letting the holding.