A Herefordshire farmer's bid to buy land he rented for 14 years has been rejected after county councillors wish to sell its tenant farms to fund 'struggling services.'
Steve Clayton, a tenant farmer at Rowleston, will have to sell his livestock after previously warning that the move would end his 'farming livelihood.'
The council said it must fund the 'growing bill' for 'caring for elderly and vulnerable people' in the county.
It could raise more than £40m by selling off 59 lots of land ranging in price from £175,000 to £2m.
Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet agreed in December 2015 to the sale of all its tenant farms.
Around 45 farming families are affected and some tenants have already left with others having to negotiate either new tenancies or uncertain as to their future.
The NFU said communication from Herefordshire Council during the past three years has been 'very poor'.
'Devastated'
Mr Clayton said he is 'devastated' to leave.
"Unless we find another farm to rent, our livelihood will be over," he told the BBC.
"We've probably invested well over £100,000 here and it's been a long hard struggle to do it.
"We just got into where we're sort of finding our feet and sailing along quite nicely but all of a sudden the mat's been pulled out from under us and our days of farming are over."
Patricia Morgan, deputy leader of the council, said: "As funding becomes ever tighter, the notices have been issued to ensure certainty for tenants and we will support tenants to ensure they receive the support and help they require."
'Steamrolling ahead'
Tenant Farmers' Association (TFA) chief executive George Dunn said the council was 'steamrolling ahead' with no regard for the impact of its actions.
"At the meeting of the Council’s Cabinet in December, various assurances were given which are not being followed through.
"The Cabinet also said that affected tenants 'would be supported through the process'. If kicking tenants out of their homes is being supportive, I would hate to see the Council taking a hardline!"
Herefordshire Council said: "A very small number of tenants will be adversely affected. Several tenants have been successful in bidding for their farms.
"Tenants' welfare will be supported throughout ensuring that their respective rights are protected."
