Dear Restore Trust,

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the National Trust’s recent proposal to reclaim Lower Halsdon Farm in Exmouth and terminate farming activities on this historically significant land. As advocates for sustainable agriculture and the vital role that farming plays in rural communities, we believe this decision could have severe and far-reaching negative consequences for both the local environment and the broader community.

Lower Halsdon Farm has a long-established history of agricultural use, contributing not only to local food production but also to the preservation of the landscape and biodiversity. Continued farming on this land is crucial in maintaining it as a vibrant, working landscape, rather than allowing it to fall into neglect or be repurposed in ways that could harm the local ecology.

Agricultural activities at Lower Halsdon Farm have been essential in preserving the unique character and natural beauty of this part of Devon. As stewards of the farm, our land management practices have played a vital role in protecting hedgerows, maintaining wildlife habitats, and promoting soil health—all essential elements for the long-term sustainability of the area. Ceasing farming operations would likely disrupt this delicate balance, leading to a decline in biodiversity and deterioration of the landscape. Furthermore, the National Trust lacks the staff and machinery required to maintain the farm adequately. For many years, they have been unable to complete scheduled tasks, such as hedge laying and tree management. With volunteer numbers dwindling, their ability to properly care for the farm will be severely compromised.

It is also essential to honour the intentions of Stanley Long, who generously bequeathed Lower Halsdon Farm to the National Trust upon his passing in 2000. In 1991, Mr. Long rejected a £4 million offer from developers for just 12 acres of the 110-acre farm, firmly stating, ‘Lower Halsdon will always be a farm’. He reiterated this commitment when he entrusted the farm to the National Trust, with the clear intention that it remain agricultural land, with a tenant farmer residing in the farmhouse. Mr. Long believed he had secured the farm’s future as agricultural land in perpetuity.

However, we have recently been informed that the National Trust plans to terminate our Farm Business Tenancy in May 2026 and ‘repurpose’ the land. Their current proposals include converting the farmhouse into staff accommodation and repurposing the outbuildings for office and storage use. It is worth mentioning that, in 2021, the National Trust attempted to enact a break clause in our tenancy agreement to remove us from the farm. This action was illegal, and we were forced to challenge the notice, incurring a £3,000 expense in the process. Despite local managers insisting the notice was valid, the National Trust hierarchy later withdrew it after realising they had acted unlawfully.

The National Trust plans stand in direct contradiction to Stanley Long’s wishes, and we fear they could eventually lead to parts of the land being sold for development. While we have no concrete evidence to support this concern, the National Trust’s Land and Estate Director, Giles Hunt, has stated, ‘The restricted covenants—which stated that the farm should not be used for any other purpose, other than an agricultural or horticultural holding—are no longer enforceable’. Moreover, the National Trust has already rendered a 5-acre field at Lower Halsdon Farm unusable for livestock by placing a path across it, cutting off the field’s access to water. This field was one of the areas developers sought to build on in 1991. Given the significant demand for new housing in Exmouth and the farm’s prime location, the land is extremely valuable. Without a tenant farmer living and working on the land, it seems only a matter of time before the National Trust sells part of it for development. It is likely they will justify this as a necessary action to ‘raise much-needed funds’, as is often the case.

Best regards,

Andrew Lamont

Email – andrewrlamont@gmail.com