Entrepreneurial and enthusiastic tenants are being sought to take on four Cambridgeshire County Council farms.

Successful applicants will be offered five-year farm business tenancies.

Anna Hicks, surveyor at the authority, said it was a valuable opportunity for first-time farmers and those looking to progress to larger holdings.

She said: “This is a good opportunity for entrepreneurial and enthusiastic individuals to get onto the farming ladder. 

 “Last year we received a lot of interest in the eight holdings that were available and the standard of applicants was extremely high”. 

“It is anticipated that interest will remain high this year despite uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the future of agricultural subsidies.”

One of the success stories from 2017 was Lee Smith, who tendered for, and won, a five-year FBT at Wolvey Holes Farm in Coveney.

He said: “The application process was very thorough and made us think carefully about our business plan. 

“Getting the farm has been a great opportunity to expand my business. The county farms team has been very helpful and supportive since we took on the holding.”

A deadline of 9 March for all tenders have been set, with interviews taking place on 19 and 21 March.

The FBTs commence on 11 October.

Full details are available at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/countyfarms, by emailing Anna Hicks on anna.hicks@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or by calling 01223 728190.

NAME: Engine Farm
LOCATION: Whittlesey
DESCRIPTION: An equipped holding comprising 244 acres of predominately silt clay loam soil. Cropping over the last few years includes potatoes, wheat, sugar beet and rape. The holding has general purpose buildings and comes with a three- bedroom bungalow.

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NAME: Lynchets Farm (above)
LOCATION: Near Royston
DESCRIPTON: This is a starter holding comprising 144 acres on the Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire border, the holding is suited to combinable crops.  There is a large general purpose building and a detached three- bedroom house.  

NAME: Black Drove and Station Road Farm
LOCATION: Isleham
DESCRIPTION: 225 acres of chalk over clay and silty clay loam soil available as bare land.   

NAME: Bulldog Bridge Farm
LOCATION: Littleport
DESCRIPTION: The largest acreage on offer through Cambridgeshire County Council this year is 335 acres of bare land at Littleport, eight miles north-east of Ely. A range of arable crops have been grown across the peat clay loam soil.  Four general-purpose buildings and a detached four-bedroom house are included in the tenancy.