Don't force sale of farmland, authorities urged

Negotiation and not compulsion must be the way forward for authorities wanting to acquire land for development, a recent NFU Cymru meeting in Anglesey was told.

Dewi Jones, Anglesey NFU Cymru County Chairman said authorities and company representatives should resist turning to the Compulsory Purchase Act 1994 to acquire land because of the potential development of Wylfa B nuclear power station on the island and the necessary access infrastructure improvements required for the construction phase.

’Farmers depend totally for their living on the land that they farm, which has often been carefully tended and improved over several generations,’ Mr Jones said. ’Many NFU Cymru members have always had deep concerns about the 1994 Act and the impact on those businesses affected by it. It should be seen, as intended, as a power of last resort and not a big stick to wave at those who, for sound business and family reasons, feel unable to sell their land.

’Sadly, we see authorities using the Act as a cost-saving exercise in preference to looking for options which are less intrusive and less impactful on farm businesses. For someone losing land to compulsory purchase, the ability to find alternative and equivalent land may not be a practical option, making the business unviable.

’Compulsory purchase can ruin a farm, especially if a road is built in the middle of it, thereby splitting it in two and forcing the farmer to move his livestock back and forth in a trailer or wagon. Dividing farmland in such a way can also reduce its market value.

’Anglesey is one of the most important farming areas of Wales and indeed in the UK. Consumer confidence in our products is paramount and NFU Cymru will be seeking early meetings with Horizon, the company associated with the potential Wylfa B development, to seek concrete assurances on the safety of their proposals,’ Mr Jones said.