THE owners of one of Essex’s most popular visitor attractions is set to purchase the freehold of the site to invest further and “protect the future”.

Essex County Council is set to agree to sell the freehold of Marsh Farm, in South Woodham Ferrers, to current operator Partyman Company Limited.

The council will receive an undisclosed capital receipt but will lose the farm’s rental income.

The county council says the sale of the freehold on which the popular attraction is located “will help to preserve its ongoing use and allow for further development and investment of this site”.

A spokesman for Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park’s management team added the move will lead to further investment.

They said: “We can confirm we will be taking over the freehold of the site.

“Doing so means we can think longer-term regarding our investment in it. This longevity allows us to invest more, which is very hard to do when we’re only leaseholders.

“We’re protecting the future of Marsh Farm and the people who work with us.”

Any changes are likely to require planning permission and the county council said a restrictive covenant will be placed on the site’s title to prevent it from being used other than as a farm visitor attraction for the general public.

In April 2013, Marsh Farm’s operator, The Partyman Company Limited, was granted a 25-year lease.

An agreement was also entered into, with the tenant allowing it first right of refusal to purchase the freehold.

A statement as part of a decision made by Essex County Council said: “It is not possible to say what impact this sale will have on the running of the attraction and use of the site in the longer term, although any changes are likely to require planning permission for change of use from the existing use.

“A restrictive covenant will be put on the title to the site such that it cannot be used for any purposes other than as a farm visitor attraction for the general public and any reasonably required commercial use ancillary thereto, including a café, restaurant, creche, children’s nursery, play centre and associated office and administration areas.

“The disposal of this land and buildings will allow the new owner to continue to develop and invest in the site as a visitor attraction and continue to provide a high-quality environment through national and local policies and obligations.”