Duchy sell-off could put 40 tenant farms in limbo, association says

Prince William’s Duchy of Cornwall plans to sell up to a fifth of its land and property over the next decade, a move that could affect as many as 40 farm holdings and leave some tenant farmers facing the choice of buying their farms or moving, according to the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA).

The sales programme, which the Duchy expects to raise £500m for investment in local communities, affordable housing and environmental projects, has expanded beyond Devon to include farms in Cornwall, Herefordshire and the Midlands, the TFA says. The Duchy has around 700 agricultural lettings, including about 300 whole-farm holdings.

On the Bradninch estate in Devon, discussions about the future of nine farms have caused distress among tenants concerned they cannot afford to buy, local councillor Mary Ryan told the BBC. She said the Duchy had reportedly apologised to tenants last month, but described its handling of the process as “pretty dire”.

The Duchy has not confirmed how many tenants could be affected. Its rural director, Matthew Morris, said it was listening to feedback and offering tenants support and mental health advice. He said the estate remained committed to agriculture, but added that there “may well be other disposals in the future”.

Morris said the Duchy’s main aim was to sell farms to their tenants where possible, and that it was working with each tenant to find a suitable outcome. He said there were “no cliff edges” on immediate evictions.

TFA chief executive George Dunn said poor communication had left tenants facing prolonged uncertainty over farm valuations, timing and the options available. While welcoming the Duchy’s assurance that “nobody will be made homeless”, he said some tenants would not be able or willing to buy and that fair alternatives should be explored.

The Duchy said it was engaging directly with tenants and taking a case-by-case approach because their circumstances differ. Its farmers hold a range of contracts, from time-limited tenancies to lifelong agreements that can be passed down within a family.