Farmers and agricultural unions are fiercely opposing plans to sell off the Powys council farm estate. This estate plays a vital role in supporting the rural Welsh-speaking community. Moreover, many tenants argue that selling the land will remove a crucial stepping stone for young farmers trying to establish themselves.
Since February, the local authority has issued eviction notices to 19 tenants living on 130 smallholdings. This accounts for about 15% of the estate’s residents. Although at least one tenant reportedly owes rent, the majority fear losing their homes and livelihoods. The Powys council farm estate is the largest of its kind in Wales and ranks fifth in the UK.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) highlights how important the estate is for new farmers. In fact, many young people cannot afford to buy land outright. Only 3% of farmers heading holdings are under 35. Since 2011, Powys council has sold about 30 farms, which has raised concerns among the farming community.
A tenant in their 30s, who asked to remain anonymous, said receiving the eviction notice felt devastating. They explained how these letters came without prior communication or explanation. “It made me worry about our future,” they added. Furthermore, “young families trying to build a life here could be forced out.” The tenant called the council’s approach shortsighted, warning it could reshape the community permanently.
Powys is a large, mountainous county with a sparse population. Census data from the ONS in 2021 shows an ageing demographic and a 5% drop in residents aged 15 to 64. Welsh speakers in Powys also fell from 18.6% in 2011 to 16.4% last year. Notably, agriculture remains a stronghold for Welsh language, with 45% of workers speaking Welsh as their first language.
After significant backlash, the council started talks with affected tenants and faced a widely supported petition. Consequently, last month councillors voted to pause farm sales until November. They also formed an advisory group to review the estate’s future. The council dropped a previous goal to sell £10 million worth of assets yearly, which many believe fueled the evictions.
A Powys council spokesperson said the authority is undertaking a “strategic rationalisation of its property estate” to better manage assets sustainably. The council intends to reinvest all sales income back into community services and projects. Nevertheless, local farmers remain anxious about the uncertainty ahead.
Wyn Williams, FUW chair for Montgomeryshire, stressed the estate’s historical importance. Established after World War I for returning soldiers, it now offers new farmers a rare chance to lease land. “Farms have grown, and smaller plots aren’t viable anymore,” he said. Moreover, “leases that once lasted a lifetime now run only three to four years.” Williams criticized the council for sending eviction letters abruptly, leaving tenants vulnerable.
In short, these tenants face the risk of having their lives uprooted with little warning,” Williams concluded.
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