Duchy farm sale plans unsettle tenants; Prince William presented Carl OBE

Sale plans unsettle tenants

The Prince of Wales plans to sell up to 20% of the Duchy of Cornwall. The move could mean tenant farmers across England are asked to purchase their farms or move out.

On the Bradninch estate in Devon, talks about the future of nine farms have left some tenants distressed, locals say. Some fear they will not be able to afford a purchase.

Duchy promises support

The Duchy covers about 51,800 hectares, or 128,000 acres, across 19 counties. It intends to put the £500m raised over the next decade into local communities, affordable housing and environmental projects.

Rural director Matthew Morris told the BBC he was taking feedback on how the sales are being managed. He said the Duchy was offering tenants support and mental health advice, and working with each tenant to find a suitable outcome. Morris said there were no immediate evictions planned, adding that the Duchy’s main aim was to sell farms to their current farmers where possible and maintain continuity.

Tenancy terms vary

Farmers have different types of agreements, including time-limited and lifelong contracts. Some arrangements allow a tenancy to pass to another family member. Morris said uncertainty about a long-standing relationship with the Duchy changing could weigh on a family continuously. A Duchy spokeswoman said it was speaking directly with people and supporting them with care and respect.