Buckland Newton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2

Opportunity to rent a well-equipped, progressive Dairy Farm from Dorset Council to include farmhouse, modern dairy buildings & approx. 154.10 acres.

To be let on a 20 year Farm Business Tenancy looking to commence on 25th March 2026 or the possibility of a September start date by negotiation.


Applications invited by 12 noon on Friday 9th January 2026.

The holding may be inspected on Monday 15th December 2025 between 10am to 3pm with the Agents who will be in attendance together with a representative from the Landlords to answer any questions. Viewings of the house will be by an allocated appointed time so all prospective applications are to register their interest before the viewing day.


LOCATION
The holding is situated central to the hamlets of Duntish and Mappowder in Brockhampton Green, Dorchester, Dorset within the Blackmore Vale. The farm is conveniently located 12.30 miles north to the County Town of Dorchester and 16.10 miles southeast to Yeovil with wider transport links to the A303 and M5. The farmhouse and buildings are located to the east of Brockhampton lane with the adjoining block of agricultural land, the remaining acres are located along Westfield Lane towards Mappowder as hatched red on the attached Site Plan.

FARMHOUSE
Cross Farm enters the market for let for the first time in 20 years with an exciting opportunity for individuals seeking to expand their farming business. Historically the farm has been operated as a dairy enterprise, lending itself to continue these operations being well equipped for another 20-year term.

Constructed in the mid-1950s Cross Farmhouse is a detached 3-bedroom property that consists of rendered elevations set under a tile hung roof with double glazed units throughout. The ground floor accommodation comprises modern kitchen, separate dining room, sitting room and family bathroom. The modern kitchen comprises a range of floor level and wall mounted units with integrated appliances to include induction hob with extractor over, eye level oven and grill as well dishwasher and space for further freestanding white goods. The sitting room and dining room are both well-proportioned reception rooms with the latter including multi-fuel burner and slate hearth. Completing the ground floor is a family bathroom comprising both bath and shower, WC, pedestal sink unit and store cupboard. Stairs ascend to the first floor comprising two double bedrooms and small single room/ dressing room. Bedrooms one and two enjoy pleasant outlooks and have ample space for free standing furniture. The third bedroom/ dressing room would take a single bed however the roof is pitched in this section of the property with room some reduced head height. The wrap around garden is enclosed from the ample hardstanding parking with iron fencing. There is also a mobile home (available to purchase) in situ located to the north of the farmhouse for an agricultural worker.

AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
The main holding sits to the west of the farmhouse comprising a range of modern agricultural buildings, together with approximately 150.99 acres (61.10 ha) of land in total, to include 20:20 GEA milking parlour, cubicle houses equipped in total with 158 cubicles, concrete panelled silage clamps, calf shed, collecting and umbrella yards, and fodder stores serviced by the surrounding concrete yards and hard-core areas; the buildings are further described in Schedule 1. The buildings occupy two independent entrances suitable for agricultural machinery from the lane with the traditional barns located south of the farmhouse. Over the course of the former tenancy, investments to the holding have been made with the use of grant funding to include the slurry separator, and covered yards.

LAND
Immediately to the north of the agricultural buildings is 76.30 acres (30.88ha). As seen in Schedule 2, 34.39 acres (13.92ha) is split by Brockhampton Lane to the North and East. The remaining 74.69 acres (30.22ha) are situated away from the holding as a single parcel, and ring-fenced block with the arable land historically cropped for maize in recent years all of which is now laid back to herbal leys.
The level lying and gently sloping land is a manageable and accessible unit all being good sized workable enclosures having a convenient network of cow tracks, ample water troughs, and predominately enclosed by hedgerows and internal ditches with post and wire fencing with direct access to those parcels with road frontage connected to internal vehicle tracks. The land is predominantly Grade III on the Agricultural Land Classification Map, with a parcel to the north of Brockhampton Lane comprising an area of Grade IV. The land is a combination of soil types to include slightly acid but base-rich loamy and clayey, with a small area being shallow lime-rich soils over chalk or limestone and all being having levels of fertility.

SERVICES
Cross Farm Farmhouse: EPC rating D, mains water and electric and sewage treatment plant.
Cross Farm Buildings: Private and mains water supply and electric.
Cross Farm Land: Private water supply.
Dorset Council are to instruct a contractor to produce the EICR.

RIGHTS OF WAY, EASEMENTS, ETC
A number of bridleways and public footpaths transverse the land as seen in Schedule 2.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES
The Council is encouraging prospective applicants to review the available Environmental Land Management schemes and capital grants.
The land is entered into a Sustainable Farming Incentive Agreement under the Combined Offer from 1st November 2024 to 31st October 2027 to include the following options:
CSAM3 - Herbal leys
CLIG3 - Manage grassland with very low nutrient inputs - outside SDAs or within SDAS
CSAM1 - Assess soil, test soil organic matter and produce a soil management plan
SOH4 - Manage maize crops to protect soil

The agreement is being reviewed and will be terminated by the Tenants Agent.

METHOD OF LETTING
The farm will be let on a 20-year term with a draft copy of the agreement available on the viewing day. The farm is to be let by application with the packs available to be completed in full and returned with all supporting documentation to the Agents, Greenslade Taylor Hunt, 45 High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UT, marked ‘Council Let Application – Cross Farm, Buckland Newton’ by 12 noon on Friday 9th January 2026. Applications are to be completed in full to be considered and the farm will be let as a whole.
Upon receipt of the tenders, Greenslade Taylor Hunt in collaboration with Dorset Council will compile a shortlist of candidates. Those candidates will be invited for an interview.

RECORD OF CONDITION
A Record of Condition will be produced at the expense of the incoming Tenant at the commencement of this Agreement. If so desired by the Landlords.

CONDITION OF LETTING
The successful applicant will be required to enter into the tenancy for a 20-year term looking to commence on 25th March 2026 or the possibility of a September start date by negotiation.
The tenancy is not likely to be extended (except in exceptional circumstances) in order to enable the turnover of opportunities for other tenants entering, and moving through the sector.
Each party will bear their own costs. The incoming Tenant will be liable for registering the lease and the paying of any necessary stamp duty.

PROGRESSION FARM
Dorset Council are offering Cross Farm as a Progression Farm to invite applicants with experience of operating their own business, with access to funds if required.
Dorset Council’s Farm Strategy offers the below guidance on the definition for the Progression Farm:
‘Whereas a policy for allocation of land to starter farms is part of the overall land strategy, it is not the only function of holding land. Within the Farm Estate there should also be the ability to offer progression tenancies.’
‘These are likely to be on the larger holdings and will be let for a longer term, with provision for the tenant to invest in the holding, as well as where required diversify away from the main agricultural operations of the holding and into alternative supplemental enterprises.’
‘Opportunities for the tenant to invest in the holding and if required diversify aware from the main agricultural operations of the holding and into alternative supplement enterprises.’

TENANTS FIXTURES
The incoming Tenant will be obliged to take over certain stipulated items and have the opportunity to purchase other additional items from the outgoing Tenant prior to entering the farm at the stipulated price. If the incoming Tenant does not wish to acquire any of the additional items, the outgoing Tenant will arrange for their removal. Further details on request.

VIEWING DAY
The holding may be inspected on Monday 15th December 2025 between 10am to 3pm with the Agents who will be in attendance together with a representative from the Landlords to answer any questions. Viewings of the house will be by an allocated appointed time so all prospective applications are to register their interest before the viewing day.

NOTICE OF GUIDANCE FOR PROSPETIVE TENANTS
Please note that Dorset Council will not be bound to accept the highest rent offered or any application for the tenancy. All prospective applicants must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise the accuracy of the statements contained within these particulars. Applications should clearly state the holding the application is referring to.

For applications to be considered all prospective applicants should include the application pack documents for their proposals of the running of the farm. In brief these should include: -

Farm Application Pack: Application Form
Farm Application Pack: Bank Reference Enquiry Request
Farm Application Pack: Animal Welfare Information Request List of Tenant’s Fixtures clearly indicating which items to be taken over.
Farm Application Pack: 2-year Budget
Farm Application Pack: Cash Flow
A separate schedule showing details of stock and machinery available to the Tenant.

Written details of the proposed method of farming the unit including the likely stock numbers, cropping of the farm, labour requirements and milk contract if applicable.

Written details of any proposed Environmental Land Management or Grant Funded schemes.

DIRECTIONS
From Top O’Town roundabout take the road to Loder’s Garage where take the right hand turning onto the Old Sherborne Road continue until sign posted right for Buckland Newton at the top of Revels Hill. Proceed on this road down Knapps Hill and turn right onto the B3143 for 0.4 miles before turning left at the crossroads. Continue along Castle Lane into Brockhampton Green and the farm can be found on the left.

WHAT.3.WORDS ///SURPASSED.BATHS.STORAGE

LETTING AGENT:
Greenslade Taylor Hunt, 45 High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UT
Tel:
Email: mollie.