Plans by the Prince of Wales to sell off up to 20% of the Duchy of Cornwall over the next decade could see tenant farmers across England asked to buy their farms or move out.
The Duchy, which covers around 51,800 hectares across 19 counties, aims to raise £500m from the sales to invest in local communities, affordable housing and environmental projects. Up to 40 farm holdings across Devon, Cornwall, Herefordshire and the Midlands could be affected, according to the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA).
Locals say talks over the future of nine farms on the Bradninch estate in Devon have already caused distress for some tenants. Former GP Mary Ryan, a local Liberal Democrat councillor who lives near the estate, said some tenants were experiencing “enormous mental and emotional distress” as a result of the planned sell-off. She said the Duchy had reportedly apologised to tenants last month, but described the handling as “pretty dire”.
The Duchy's rural director, Matthew Morris, told the BBC he was listening to feedback over how the sales were being handled and offering support and mental health advice. In terms of immediate evictions, he said there were “no cliff edges here” and that the Duchy was working closely with every tenant to find a suitable outcome. “In the main, our mission is to sell to our farmers. We are keen that wherever possible we can achieve that continuity,” Morris explained. He added the Duchy remained “still committed to agriculture” but that there “may well be other disposals in the future”.
George Dunn, TFA chief executive, said the organisation was in "deep discussions" with the Duchy and that poor communication had left tenants "facing prolonged uncertainty over valuations, timing and the options available to them". He welcomed the Duchy's assurance that "nobody will be made homeless", but argued that not every tenant "will be able or want to buy the farms that they operate and fair alternatives must be explored for those for whom ownership is unaffordable".
A Duchy spokeswoman said: “We are engaging with people directly and supporting them through the process with care and respect. We recognise that each of our tenant's circumstances are different, and we are taking a careful, case-by-case approach.” The Duchy, established in 1337, currently has around 700 agricultural lettings, including about 300 whole farm holdings with farmhouses, land and buildings. Farmers are on a mix of contracts ranging from time-limited to lifelong, with an option to pass the tenancy down through a family.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The sell-off could reshape the historic relationship between the Duchy of Cornwall and its tenant farmers, many of whom have worked the land for generations.
- The £500m raised is intended for community and environmental projects, but the human cost for tenants facing pressure to buy or leave raises questions about the balance between investment and social responsibility.
- The outcome may set a precedent for how large private estates handle farm disposals in the UK.
Background
The Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate established in 1337 to provide an income for the heir to the throne. It holds land across England and Wales, with around 700 agricultural lettings. The current Prince of Wales, Prince William, succeeded to the estate upon his father's accession. The sell-off plan was first reported earlier this year as part of a strategy to shift the portfolio's focus towards sustainability and community benefit.
Key Perspectives
Tenant Farmers Association (TFA): George Dunn, chief executive, says poor communication has led to prolonged uncertainty and calls for fair alternatives for tenants who cannot afford to buy their farms.
Local councillor Mary Ryan: says the handling has been "pretty dire" and has caused "enormous mental and emotional distress" among tenants.
Duchy of Cornwall: rural director Matthew Morris insists the estate is listening to feedback, supporting tenants through the process, and that no one will be made homeless. A spokeswoman says they are taking a careful, case-by-case approach.
What to Watch
- The number of tenants who choose to buy versus those who leave, and the affordability of the valuations offered.
- Whether the sales programme extends beyond the current ten-year plan to include further disposals.
- The reaction of local communities and elected representatives as the sales proceed, particularly in Devon and Cornwall.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedDuchy tenants may have to buy farms or leave under the sell-off plans.BBC News: “Plans by the Prince of Wales to sell off up to 20% of the Duchy of Cornwall could see more tenant farmers across England asked to buy their farms or move out.”
- SupportedUp to 40 farm holdings could be affected, and the sale plan is intended to raise £500m for communities, affordable housing and environmental projects.BBC News: “Up to 40 farm holdings across Devon, Cornwall, Herefordshire and the Midlands could be affected by the sale, according to the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA).”
- SupportedThe Duchy’s sale plan covers the next decade.BBC News: “The Duchy, which covers around 51,800 hectares (128,000 acres) in 19 counties, plans to use the £500m raised from the property and land sale over the next decade”
- SupportedMary Ryan said some tenants were experiencing “enormous mental and emotional distress” because of the planned sell-off.BBC News: “said some of those affected were "experiencing enormous mental and emotional distress" as a result of the planned sell-off.”
- SupportedRyan said the Duchy had reportedly apologised to tenants last month and called its handling “pretty dire”.BBC News: “She added that while the Duchy had reportedly apologised to tenants last month, the handling of the process had been "pretty dire".”
- SupportedMatthew Morris said he was listening to feedback, offering support and mental health advice, and working with every tenant towards a suitable outcome, with “no cliff edges” for immediate evictions.BBC News: “Morris told the BBC he was listening to feedback over how the sales were being handled and offering support and mental health advice to tenants. ... there were "no cliff edges here" and that the Duchy was working closely with every tenant to find a suitable outcome.”
- SupportedMorris said the Duchy’s main mission was to sell to its farmers, sought continuity where possible, remained “still committed to agriculture”, and “may well be other disposals in the future”.BBC News: “"In the main, our mission is to sell to our farmers. We are keen that wherever possible we can achieve that continuity," Morris explained. ... the Duchy was "still committed to agriculture" but that there "may well be other disposals in the future".”
- SupportedGeorge Dunn said the TFA was in “deep discussions” with the Duchy and poor communication had left tenants facing prolonged uncertainty over valuations, timing and their options.BBC News: “George Dunn, TFA chief executive, said the organisation was in "deep discussions" with the Duchy and that poor communication had led to tenants "facing prolonged uncertainty over valuations, timing and the options available to them".”
- SupportedDunn welcomed the Duchy’s assurance that “nobody will be made homeless” and said some tenants might not be able or willing to buy, so fair alternatives must be explored where ownership is unaffordable.BBC News: “He added that while he welcomed the Duchy's assurance that "nobody will be made homeless" not every tenant "will be able or want to buy the farms that they operate and fair alternatives must be explored for those for whom ownership is unaffordable".”
- SupportedA Duchy spokeswoman said it was engaging directly with tenants, supporting them with care and respect, and taking a careful, case-by-case approach.BBC News: “A spokeswoman for the Duchy said: "We are engaging with people directly and supporting them through the process with care and respect. "We recognise that each of our tenant's circumstances are different, and we are taking a careful, case-by-case approach."”
- SupportedThe Duchy was established in 1337 and has around 700 agricultural lettings, including around 300 whole farm holdings made up of a farmhouse, land and buildings.BBC News: “The Duchy - which was established in 1337 - currently has around 700 agricultural lettings, with around 300 whole farm holdings made up of a farmhouse, land and buildings.”