Somerset Council to Sell Major Farm Asset Amid Financial Pressures
Somerset Council has confirmed it will sell a substantial 79.5-acre farm as part of drastic measures to stabilise its precarious finances. The decision comes after the council declared a financial emergency in November 2023, triggering a comprehensive review of all assets inherited from predecessor authorities in May 2023.
Strategic Asset Disposal to Fund Essential Services
Under a unique 'capitalisation directive' granted by the government, the council is permitted to sell non-operational assets and use the capital receipts to fund day-to-day services. A significant £36.9 million from such sales has already been factored into the 2024/25 budget.
The latest property earmarked for sale is East Farm in Lympsham, situated near Weston-super-Mare. The council plans to sell the farm buildings and a portion of the land for residential redevelopment. The site, located off Purving Row just north of the A370 Bridgwater Road, is substantial, covering an area equivalent to roughly 45 football pitches.
Mixed-Use Future for Historic Farm Site
The farm includes a listed farmhouse and associated agricultural buildings. It was tenanted until 2023, and the council successfully secured planning permission in early October 2025 to convert these farm buildings into houses.
The sale strategy involves placing the farmhouse and new structures on the open market, alongside a small parcel of agricultural land. However, in a move balancing development with environmental and agricultural concerns, the council will retain 40 acres (16 hectares) of the land. This retained area, nearly 23 football pitches in size, is designated for either continued active farming or to deliver biodiversity enhancements that will offset the impact of new local housing developments.
Felicity Haigh, the council's lead surveyor for estates operations, explained the rationale. "Our asset management strategy sets out an objective to ensure that our estate is financially sustainable, efficient, and effective," she stated in a written report.
She further clarified, "In response to our requests for exceptional financial support, the previous government agreed a capitalisation directive and encouraged us to sell non-operational assets... and use the receipts to fund essential services." Due to the council's reliance on this directive, Ms. Haigh confirmed a commitment to rationalising the property and land portfolio to reduce costs and generate capital. The estimated receipt from the East Farm sale is being kept confidential to ensure the council achieves the best possible market value.
