TFC strikes deal to end Buccleuch tenancy row

An extension to an existing lease which will continue under new owners until November 2022 will allow a tenant farmer to remain until retirement on a farm he initially rented from Buccleuch Estates.

The deal, which was brokered by the tenant farming commissioner (TFC), Bob Mcintosh, will see David and Alison Telfer, who have been tenants on Cleuchfoot Farm near Langholm on Buccleuch’s Borders Estate on a shortlimited duration tenancy, remain there until they retire, as they had planned.

The issue hinged on claims made by the Telfers that they had been given a verbal assurance by the previous Duke of Buccleuch that they would be allowed to reach the end of their working lives on the unit – but subsequent plans to sell the farm along with neighbouring land put this in jeopardy.

Buccleuch Estates had granted a new tenancy until November 2019 – 21 months beyond the end date of the previous lease – and put the farm and adjoining hill ground on the market as part of a larger sale believed to be close to 9,000 acres in the Langholm area, much of which could be destined for afforestation.

The case, which had attracted considerable publicity, was then put to the TFC who discussed the issues with both parties and the acquirer of the land, James Jones & Sons Ltd, in an effort to find a solution.

Speaking yesterday after announcing that an agreement had been reached, the commissioner said: “Landlords are entitled to resume land at the end of a fixed-term tenancy but there was an extraordinary set of circumstances in this case where there was a dispute over what had been discussed in years gone by in terms of the length of occupancy.

“We are pleased that, through collaborative discussion, a satisfactory outcome has been achieved for the tenant, the new landlord and all other parties.”

Telfer said: “We appreciate the efforts of all those involved who have worked to find a resolution to this issue and we are pleased to be able to continue to live and work on at least part of Cleuchfoot until our retirement.”

The executive chairman of Buccleuch, Benny Higgins, added: “We were pleased that our proposal found agreement with all the parties involved and thank the tenant farming commissioner for his constructive liaison with the tenant.”