A DISTRICT councillor has hit out at her own party claiming they are “breaching her human rights” as the row over County Farm sales continues.

Sue Osborne, Conservative councillor for Windwhistle and a tenant on one of the the farms, has implored county council not to sell.

She said: “This year the sale of County Farms is in the news again. I believe it is because, thanks to a change in Government policy, local authorities may use capital receipts to prop up revenue deficits.

“This authority decided to do more than consider an assets sales drive. It put a tenant on a retained farm on a notice to quit, despite there being no change in policy. It put four farms under an emergency sales notice, including one whose tenancy was not due to expire till 2018.

“Eight farms are due to be disposed of by the end of the 2018/19 financial year.

“These farms, added to the land and farms already sold, will take the estate dangerously close to the loss of critical mass.

“How does putting farm tenants in a position where they will lose their homes, businesses and way of life, square with a Conservative manifesto pledge to promote and protect the rural way of life?

“The procedure of ending tenancies is this way, with no flexibility whatsoever, is no longer fit for purpose, and is a breach of our human rights.”

A spokesperson for Somerset County Council said: “A decision was made by the council in 2010 to sell these farms. All of the properties and land that will be put up for sale are surplus to the county council’s requirements and will raise in the region of £4.9m. We do not comment about individual’s circumstances but as landlord we ensure that we act within all relevant legislation.”

When previously challenged, Conservative former council leader John Osman said: “We do not wish to increase the debt. To finance new schools, new roads and new facilities, we see if there is interest in assets not vital to the running of the county council.”