THE Duke of Northumberland’s Estates have been accused of a “get rich quick” attitude to the region’s farmers after hitting hundreds of them with inflation-busting rent rises.

Land agents working on behalf of the 100,000-acre Northumberland Estates, which includes land in the West Country and Yorkshire as well as Northumberland, have been visiting farmers in recent weeks in round of rent reviews.

The rent hikes come as the Duke prepares for a multi-million pound bill linked to the demolition of flood-hit flats in Newburn, Newcastle although the Estates say the issues are not linked.

But with many farmers in the North suffering from a huge slump in lamb prices, some fear they might have to give up their properties altogether. Concerns have also been expressed that short-term tenancies will deter farmers from investing in environmental measures on their land.

One 62-year-old farmer, who farms 450-acres on the Duke’s land near Alnwick, was shocked to be told his annual rent was due to go up by 98% this year.

After saying he couldn’t afford more than a 30% increase, the land agent told the farmer to accept a 64% rent rise or be off the land by next month. The farmer, who does not wish to be named, says he simply cannot continue.

He said: “I was told I had three options; either agree to a 64% increase in annual rent, take legal action, or get out by March. My rent will go up from £21,000 a year to £34,000, which is completely unachievable.

“My countryside stewardship payment is due to come to an end and another scheme is coming in to take its place. Where I was getting £15,000 a year, soon I will be getting just £2,000.

“I farm mainly sheep and a bit of arable. My lamb prices are actually £30 a head down on what they were last year so I’m already making a considerable loss.

“I’m in my sixties and I don’t know what to do. My 32-year-old son doesn’t see a future in farming and I have to agree with him. This is affecting my entire family as I won’t be able to afford to run the farm if my rent goes up by this much.”

Stoker Frater, who farms two Northumberland Estates-owned farms near Alnwick, has been told to expect a 40% increase in his rent, following on from a 30% rent rise for both his farms three years ago.

He said: “For the last five years, new tenants have had to agree to a farm business tenancy, or FBT, as opposed to a three generation tenancy. This means farmers only have a tenure lasting one to five years which certainly discourages farmers, especially the older generation, from investing in the farm and making necessary improvements.