THE COUNCIL has agreed to pay almost £1 million to tenant farmers in compensation after having their properties sold.

The end of tenancy compensation agreed to by Herefordshire Council is for improvements to their holdings during their tenancy.

Also 19 farmers applied for and received financial support through the Tenants' Support Grant Scheme - a discretionary payment available to all tenants to support them through the disposal process.

Of those tenant farmers who have had their properties sold- nine have retired, two remain have yet to confirm their intentions and 13 have found ownership or employment in the in the rural business and agricultural sectors.

The council has sold all or part of their holding to 12 tenants and four tenants will continue their tenancy under a new landlord.

Herefordshire Council retained seven smallholdings from its estate, with those tenants remaining on existing terms.