Dear Mr Hutchinson

 

The initial request seemed to reference a specific scheme whereby a County
Council was giving opportunities for new farming enterprises.  We
apologise if this was misinterpreted.  However, to clarify, this Council
does own land which is used for agricultural purposes.  The Council as
landowner doesn’t take any active role in the management of the farms.

 

We have areas of agricultural land which are in an area identified for the
potential golf resort.  Both previous agricultural agreements have been
amended in around 2016 to give us, as landlord, some flexibility.  Details
are below:

 

Carr Lane Agricultural Land

Approximates to 11 hectares – Land only

Wards: Hoylake & Meols; West Kirby & Thurstaston

(China Plate Farm)

Previously held on an Agricultural Tenancy agreement that was surrendered
in 2016 following which it is held on licence for agricultural purposes

 

New Hall Farm Agricultural Land

Approximates to 60.5 hectares – Land only

Wards: Hoylake & Meols; West Kirby & Thurstaston

(New Hall Farm)

Previously held on an Agricultural Tenancy agreement that included
farmhouse and buildings.  This was surrendered in 2015 following which the
tenant took land only in the form of periodic Farm Business Tenancy
agreements, the latest of which expires in September 2021

 

We have a further agricultural tenancy as described below.  In all cases
the tenants have been in occupation for a considerable time.

 

Royden Park (Land at Hillbark Farm)

Approximates to 18 hectares – Land only

Ward: Greasby, Frankby & Irby

(Hillbark Farm)

Held on an Agricultural Tenancy dated 1990

 

We have a further site in Telegraph Road, Heswall which has been occupied
until recently for agricultural purposes but is now vacant.  We are
determining how best to take this forward.

 

We hope this has given more detail on our agricultural holdings and we
have responded to your specific questions in red below.

 

1.If there are two farmers who have tenancy arrangements for land subject
of the proposed golf resort that are not farm tenancies, how under the
terms of England and Wales land law does Council describe the
arrangements?  See above

 

2.Do the occupiers have the same rights as tenants?  See above

 

3.How does the occupancy differ from a farm tenancy?  See above

 

4.As Council does not describe the arrangements as "farm tenancies", how
does Council describe the occupancies?  See above

 

5.Is the land being farmed? We do not hold any recorded information as to
whether it is currently being actively farmed.

 

6.In which Wards is the occupied land?  See above

 

7.In each of the past 10 financial years how many such occupancies have
come up for renewal?  None

 

8.Is there a waiting list?  No

 

9.What is the spread of ages of occupiers and applicants?  Not known

 

10.In each of the past 10 financial years how many applicants have there
been?  No recorded information held

 

11.For how long are the occupancies granted?  See above

 

12.What is the nature of farm-work undertaken by the occupiers - for
example, arable, pastoral, mixed, market, intensive, extensive?  No
information  held

 

13.For new applicants are there open days and training days offering
advice on, such as budgeting, business planning, marketing?  No

 

14.What is the average workforce ratio of occupier to worker?  Not known

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Lynette Paterson

Principal Information Management Officer

Wirral Council

PO Box 290
Brighton Street
Wallasey
CH27 9FQ

 

Email: [1][Wirral Borough Council request email]

 

Visit our website: [2]www.wirral.gov.uk

 

 

 

This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended
solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.
If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager.

References

Visible links
1. mailto:[Wirral Borough Council request email]
2. http://www.wirral.gov.uk/