Decision details

To sell the land owned by CBC at Ham Hill to Dunkerton Properties Ltd who were the highest bidder following a tendering process.

• Ham Hill is approximately 45 acres of surplus, low grade agricultural land. It is has limited access and difficult to farm and with limited profitable alternative uses.

·        The potential purchaser has indicated that they wish to fulfil the Council’s original vision for the land as a Country Park, and in addition support educational activities and small local artisan businesses. The potential purchaser has offered considerably more than the agricultural land value per acre.

Lease the land to a local farmer for grazing livestock. Unfortunately, Tuberculosis (TB) regulations restrict the movement of animals and facilities are needed on site to comply with the regulations. There are no facilities on site. This means that only adjoining land holders could be considered as viable options and none of the local land owners were interested in leasing the land.

Access limitations prevent other alternative uses. 

·         The Ward Members had no objections to the sale proceeding.

·         Green Space will lose an income from DEFRA, but they understand the reasons for disposing.

·         Asset Management Working Group supported the proposed sale.

·         Further consultation was not necessary for the revised sale as the sale still represented best consideration but the Head of Property consulted with the Leader in the absence of the Cabinet Member Finance.

Ward Members - Councillors Helena and Paul McCloskey.

Green Space - Wayne Sedgwick- (Ranger).

Asset Management Working Group.

Head of Property & Asset Management, David Roberts.

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