County council to sell off Marsh Farm's freehold

Essex County Council is set to agree to sell the freehold to Marsh Farm, one of Essex’s most popular visitor attractions. The council will receive an undisclosed capital receipt but will lose the farm's rental income. The county council says the sale of the freehold on which the popular attraction in South Woodham Ferrers is located “will help to preserve its ongoing use and allow for further development and investment of this site”.

However, it adds that it is not possible to say what impact this sale will have on the running of the attraction and the use of the site in the longer term. But, any changes are likely to require planning permission for any change of use. The council adds that a restrictive covenant will be placed on the site's title to prevent it from being used other than as a farm visitor attraction for the general public.

In April 2013, Marsh Farm's operator, The Partyman Company Limited, was granted a 25-year lease. An agreement was also entered into with the tenant allowing it first right of refusal to purchase the freehold. A statement as part of a decision made by Essex Council Council said: “It is not possible to say what impact this sale will have on the running of the Attraction and use of the site in the longer term although any changes are likely to require planning permission for change of use from the existing Use Class F (Community).

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"A restrictive covenant will be put on the title to the site such that it cannot be used for any purposes other than as a farm visitor attraction for the general public and any reasonably required commercial use ancillary thereto including a café, restaurant, creche, children’s nursery, play centre and associated office and administration areas.”

It adds: “The disposal of this land and buildings will allow the new owner to continue to develop and invest in the site as a visitor attraction and continue to provide a high-quality environment through national and local policies and obligations, either by way of the planning process or other statutory requirements.”