National Trust condemned by Lord Bragg over land sale

BROADCASTER and author Lord Melvyn Bragg has blasted the National Trust after it bought a large chunk of land in the Lake District – but not the farm on which it sits.

Cumbrian Bragg has thrown his weight behind local farmers who are furious that the trust paid £200,000 above the guide price for the land at Thorneythwaite Farm in Borrowdale.

He said on the BBC that the higher bid made it impossible for local farmers “critical to the preservation” of the Lake District “to get a look in”.

However, the National Trust said it was the best way to secure the future of the land.

Thorneythwaite Farm was put up for auction by its private owner in two separate lots, with a guide price £750,000 for the land and £800,000 for the farm and buildings.

The trust offered £950,000 for the land, drawing criticism from people who want it kept as a working farm.

The Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association said on Twitter: “Another farm lost. Hopes that the farm could be taken on by a new young fell farmer have been dashed.”

In a letter to the Times, Bragg said: “The National Trust…. behaved very badly. It put in a bid which was way above that which was reasonable for the land, thus making it impossible for local farmers to get a look in.

“It was a nasty piece of work. Had a billionaire bullied his way into this disgraceful purchase there would have been a deserved outcry.”

The National Trust said it prioritised the purchase of the land as it did not have the funds to buy both – although it was aware that was the preferred local option.

It said it offered the higher price to avoid the risk of “gazumping” – a risk it would have faced if the auctioneer decided to package the two together for a price the trust could not afford.