Farmers aiming to gain a better foothold in their industry have the chance to apply for two new tenancies on a Norfolk estate.

The publicly-owned Norfolk County Farms estate extends to more than 6,800 hectares of prime agricultural land and has 145 tenants – bringing income to Norfolk County Council, while creating rural jobs and offering an entry point into the industry for prospective new farmers.

The two fully-equipped holdings available for 2023 form part of the 3,216-acre Burlingham Estate, between Norwich and Acle.

Oak Farm, on Church Road in Lingwood, is 140.65 acres of Grade 1 agricultural land, while Poplar Farm on Lingwood Road in North Burlingham has 208.01 acres classified as predominantly Grade 1 and 2 land.

Both will be available on a ten-year farm business tenancy from October 11.

There are no restrictions on agricultural use and the landlord is “willing to consider proposals from applicants for a range of enterprises”.

The council says it is also “keen to see applications which include proposals for diversification and environmental enhancement”, including potential further tree planting under the council’s One Million Trees for Norfolk project.

A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said: “We let five new entrants holdings last year including a new care farm at Ingleborough in the west of the county. We have two holdings this year and will have another two next year.

“These holdings are vitally important to people who would otherwise be unable to get onto the farming ladder.”

The County Farms Estate was created to provide a means of entry into farming for young people and “those who may not otherwise have the opportunity”, and also to enable progression onto larger units within the County Farms structure or on other privately-let estates.

The Oak Farm tenancy includes a three-bedroom semi-detached house, while for Poplar Farm a “house in the locality will be provided and details will be circulated to shortlisted applicants in due course”.

Viewing for both farms is on February 1. Applications must be submitted via the Norfolk County Council website by midday on March 13.

This article was sourced from the Eastern Daily Press.

More information on becoming a tenant is available from Norfolk County Council.

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