FARMLAND and a barn at Pen-y-Clawdd are to be sold at auction after Monmouthshire councillors agreed to the sale of authority assets.

Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet agreed to sell the barn and land from its county farms estate as they are now surplus to requirements.

The sale will generate a capital receipt for the council while relieving it of the responsibilities of maintenance. 

Currently the 38 acres of land at Pen-y-Clawdd land falls outside the council's core farming estate, but is currently let out on a short term licence for £3,825 per annum, which ends in February 2013. The site has already been vacated by the previous long term agricultural tenants.

The decision to sell was made after councillors were told that the land and buildings would quickly fall into disrepair and become a maintenance liability.

County Councillor Bob Greenland, cabinet member for Modernisation and Enterprise said: "When the barn and 38 acres at Pen-y-Clawdd achieves planning permission, the sale will realise a capital receipt which can be used to benefit our frontline services and the council's priorities of protecting the vulnerable, encouraging business and supporting education."