| • |
An affordable
means of entry into farming and diversified rural businesses
for those who would not otherwise have the opportunity to farm
on their own account. |
| • |
The potential
for many new entrants to establish and develop viable business
enterprises and the scope for internal progression to larger
County Farms and advancement from the Estate to bigger holdings
on privately let estates. |
| • |
A means
of supporting the tenanted sector, boosted by the flexibility
of opportunities offered by agricultural tenure legislation. |
| • |
A valuable
source of rural employment opportunities on small family farms,
often in remote rural areas. |
| • |
A tangible
means of meeting the aspirations of the young farming community
and agricultural industry. |
| • |
An opportunity
to contribute to the wider economic well being and development
of the countryside. |
| • |
A “bank”
of potentially surplus development land arising from positive
property reviews and estate rationalisations, providing a valuable
source of capital for essential estate reinvestment, development
of the rural economy and to assist finance the provision of
other Council services. |
| • |
A potential
land bank source for affordable housing projects in rural areas. |
| • |
A valued
Council Service managed on a dynamic, sound, commercial business-like
basis having regard to the principles of Best Value and effective
performance management. |
| • |
A stake
in the countryside and a direct link to the local farming industry
and the rural economy. |
| • |
An opportunity
to implement best practice in rural estate and sustainable countryside
management and stewardship: e.g. Health & Safety, wildlife
habitat management and community participation. |
| • |
A wealth
of traditional landscape features such as stone walls, ditches,
hedgerows and farm buildings which are more likely to be retained
on small family farms. |
| • |
A means
of improving public access to and awareness of the countryside
including proper use of public footpaths and developing Farm
Walks and Open Days. |
| • |
An educational
resource aid providing opportunities for school visits. |
| • |
Opportunities,
in partnership with tenants, for the development of positive
environmental strategies together with sustainable farm management
and good husbandry practices. |
