Land sell-off farm crisis
Tenant farms will be sold off to make way for new housing developments across Staffordshire in a bid to solve a funding crisis, claim protesters.
Controversial plans are afoot to sell off the 123 remaining county council-owned smallholdings. Staffordshire County Council is due to discuss the proposals at its cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
Conservative councillors today claimed that the Labour-controlled council would go ahead with the plan, selling some of the land for housing.
Councillor Neal Podmore, shadow cabinet member for economic prosperity and sustainable communities, fears the Labour group believes farming is dead in Staffordshire.
He said: "I can see why this option is so attractive to Labour as some farms have potential for housing development at £1 million per acre, rather than the £3,000 without.
"It can also be broken up and offered in small lots, which command a much higher price as pony paddocks, whilst the buildings can be sold for redevelopment. With the financial crisis facing the county in the future, here is an easy way out.
"However, this administration seems to once again overlook the human misery behind this for the tenant farmers and their families - people who are committed to the rural economy.
"I am also concerned by the tactics being used, such as when leases are coming up for renewal, tenants are being limited to one year because of this impending sell-off."
Deputy council leader Councillor Robert Simpson said the review of policy on smallholdings would be discussed on Wednesday but a final decision would not be made until September.
He said the farms brought in a total of £400,000 a year in rent but selling off one farm would generate the same income.
Councillor Simpson said much of the land was in green belt, so planning laws would prevent them being turned into housing estates.
Farmers are due to gather for a public protest outside the County Buildings in Stafford on Wednesday.
