Sir,

Further to Sarah Edmond's letter in last week's issue, regarding the present condition of Meend Farm in Penallt, a productive tenanted stock farm until February 2011.

The recent policy of Monmouthshire County Council towards its vacant farm properties has been to sell them on the open market.

This policy is despite a number of local people working within the agricultural sector, including myself, who would like to be given the opportunity to put forward a business case to take on such an enterprise.

It appears, however, that Kate Humble, the TV presenter, has been negotiating with the council regarding taking over the farm tenancy.

Normally, expressions of interest notifications have to be advertised when public bodies plan such tenancies.

The MCC website suggests that the venture being proposed would offer 'Sustainable farming courses'.

Funny, but I thought that is partly what the local agricultural colleges offer.

There are a number of centres such as the one proposed springing up around the country and if the council have come up with the idea, then why has it not been put to open and fair competition to provide such a facility?

It could also be seen as a way of bypassing all competition rules, helping to create a nice 'dream farm' at our expense.

The websites suggest that Ms Humble and her partner have been looking to set up such a centre for a long time but location was key.

Again, it appears that the MCC cabinet are to discuss the proposals this Thursday (tomorrow), with officers recommending approval. Is this what MCC consider to be 'open and fair' or a done deal?

Local councillors have been approached about the situation but their responses have been deafening.

Shouldn't this publicly owned asset (ours), be subject to normal open competition rules or have MCC been 'star struck'?

So much for the Government's 'localism' agenda.

Paul Kedward

(Mitchel Troy)