Hampshire County Council has come under fire from tenant farmers over plans to shake-up its farm estate.

The council, which owns nearly 5,000 acres of agricultural land, is proposing to introduce new fixed-length farm tenancies.

The aim is to help young farmers get a foot on the farming ladder but existing tenant farmers fear their tenancies could be terminated under the proposed new rules.

Without other farms to move to, many face an uncertain future and could lose their family businesses.

Kings Worthy dairy farmer Tim Knapman said: “The reality is there are few farms to go to either in the private or public sector. This is a very, very narrow-minded policy that is being formulated without thought to the consequences for existing farmers.”

The council owns about 67 farms across the county, including arable, dairy, livestock and horticultural.

Officers are considering setting up small “starter units” to be let for seven years with a single three-year extension available at the council’s discretion while larger farms are let for a maximum 15 years.

Mr Knapman, 47, said his tenancy at Meadow Farm will terminate in seven years under the proposed new rules.

He said this would mean the end of his successful dairy business, redundancy for two farm workers and loss of income for his suppliers, including local farmers growing cattle feed.

The farmer would also have to quit the farm house where he, his wife and daughter live.

Mr Knapman said: “As a public organisation, the question should be asked how it makes economic sense for the county to terminate profitable long-standing businesses to make way for new ones which may or may not be successful. There will also be additional letting and refurbishment costs.”

Farmers say they will be less likely to invest in long-term projects, such as building new milking parlours, if they are unable to stay on and reap the rewards. Banks would also be less willing to lend money.

They argue there is already a turnover of tenants due to farmers retiring or going bust.

The proposed overhaul of county farms comes after a two-year review of rural policy. Leader of Hampshire County Council Ken Thornber is due to consider the proposals on April 14.

Cllr Thornber said: “We offer farming tenancies to people who wish to commence a career in farming and we do it as an act of social conscience. The tenancies are supposed to be starter tenancies but we have never terminated any farmer's tenancy lease.