Freehold of Marsh Farm to be sold by council

Marsh Farm, near Chelmsford, is one of the most popular attractions in Essex

Marsh Farm, one of the most popular visitor attractions in Essex, is to be sold by the county council.

The authority said it was not possible to say what impact the sale would have on the running of the site, in South Woodham Ferrers, near Chelmsford.

A restrictive covenant would be added to prevent it from being used other than as a farm visitor attraction.

In 2013, Partyman, which operates the farm, was granted a 25-year lease.

There was also an agreement with Partyman giving it the first right of refusal to buy the freehold from the council, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Essex County Council said that any change of use in the longer term would be likely to require planning permission.