Somerset Council is preparing to sell Lawrence Farm, a significant agricultural property near the A303, as part of its strategy to generate funds for essential county services.
Located on Moor Lane, just south of the dual carriageway on the outskirts of Wincanton, Lawrence Farm comprises a farmhouse, outbuildings, and approximately 75 acres (over 30 hectares) of farmland.
Following a November 2023 council decision to review its portfolio of county farms alongside other assets, the authority aims to dispose of properties considered surplus. The proceeds will be directed towards funding vital services across Somerset.
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The farm will be put on the market divided into four individual lots. However, the council has not released any estimates regarding the expected income from the sale.
The farmhouse has been vacant since March after the council negotiated the conclusion of the previous tenant’s agreement. The farm buildings and remaining land are currently under a separate six-month tenancy, which is set to end at the close of September.
Lawrence Farm is neighboured by Brains Farm to the east, a solar energy installation to the south, and Wessex Water’s waste treatment works to the west. The River Cale runs through a significant section of the property.
To protect the council’s interests, the sale will include an uplift clause guaranteeing additional payment if the land’s value increases due to future development. In a written report, David Ashton, a council property officer, explained that plans to apply for residential development of the farm buildings have been paused due to flood risk concerns and the resultant delays and risks.
“Our estates team has halted submitting a planning application to convert the farm buildings for residential use, due to flood risk issues that have arisen and the associated lengthy delay and risk of refusal,” said Ashton.
“Instead, the asset will be sold on the open market in several lots, with appropriate covenants and uplift provisions in place.”
Although capital receipts from asset sales are generally not used to fund routine front-line service expenditure, Somerset Council has secured government approval for the third year in a row to do so. The consent also supports the council’s ongoing transformation programme.
The council has chosen not to disclose the projected revenue from the farm’s sale, citing commercial confidentiality.