Somerset Council is set to sell East Farm in Lympsham, near Weston-super-Mare, as part of a wider effort to improve its financial situation. The farm, which spans approximately 79.5 acres—equivalent to about 45 football pitches—includes a listed farmhouse and multiple buildings.
Following a financial emergency declared in November 2023, the council has been reviewing its land, property, and assets, many of which were inherited since May 2023. With central government approval, Somerset Council is permitted to sell non-operational assets and use the proceeds to fund day-to-day services. The budget for 2024/25 already anticipates £36.9 million in receipts from such sales.
East Farm, located on Purving Row just north of the A370 and close to junction 22 of the M5, was leased to a tenant until 2023. Recently, planning permission was granted to convert the agricultural buildings into residential properties. The council plans to sell the farmhouse along with these new houses and a portion of the land. Approximately 40 acres will be retained to continue agricultural activities and promote biodiversity improvements that complement the new housing development.
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Felicity Haigh, the council’s lead surveyor for estates operations, emphasized the council’s commitment to making its estate financially sustainable and efficient. She highlighted the capitalisation directive from the government as a key factor enabling the sale of non-operational assets to support essential services. Haigh also noted that the sale price remains confidential to ensure the best market value and protect buyers’ commercial interests.