Historic Bournemouth farm to be sold for £1million
A derelict historic farm complex is set to be sold off to raise around £1 million to help the council’s finances.
Councillors voted to approve the disposal of the majority of the council-owned property, farmhouse, and outbuildings forming the Hicks Farm complex on Throop Road in Bournemouth.
Members heard that the outbuildings have been in a severe state of disrepair for many years, leaving the local authority facing an active tenant disrepair claim.
It has previously been reported that the site has not been used for agriculture since 2014 and a wooden barn on the site was destroyed in a fire in 2024.
The disposal is projected to generate a capital receipt of about £1 million to support improved facilities in the western parcel and bolster wider council finances.
During a full council meeting on 13 October, Councillor Mike Cox said: “This report seeks the approval to dispose of the majority of the council-owned property and land forming the Hicks Farm buildings complex.
“Securing a future use for these assets has been under review as the various outbuildings are in significant state of disrepair and have been for many, many years.
“The council is unable to fund the necessary repairs required to bring the site back to use.
“The disposals are expected to secure a capital receipt of about a million pounds and can support the improved facilities in the western parcel as well as council finances.”
The council had previously explored lottery funding to restore the historic buildings as a heritage and visitor attraction, but the scheme proved unaffordable amidst acute financial pressures.
Councillor Andy Hadley said: “We obviously had plans originally.
“We were trying to get a lottery grant to make something of Hicks Farm, but that proved unaffordable.
“It was one of the early areas where we said to officers: we really can’t afford to do some of this stuff.
“It’s appropriate to dispose, or to get a capital receipt, and to use that more appropriately on our remaining buildings.”
The disposal of the Hicks Farm buildings complex was approved in a vote with 32 in favour, two against, and four abstentions.