Farm tenants on the 23,000-acre Vyrnwy Estate - surrounding the popular Lake Vyrnwy tourist attraction - which is up for sale at around £11m have expressed fears for their future at a meeting organised by the Farmers' Union of Wales' Montgomeryshire county branch.
They are concerned the sale of the estate could lead to major changes in their tenancies. FUW Montgomeryshire county chairman Alwyn Watkins said they feared a new owner could take a firmer stance with its management approach.
The estate is the largest single block of land to come to the market in living memory. For sale on a 125-year lease, it includes almost 12,000 acres of farmland, 5,000 acres of woodland, 13 let farms and 31 let residential and commercial buildings.
The 1,113-acre Lake Vyrnwy is also owned by Severn Trent Water and supplies fresh water to Liverpool.
Mr Watkins, who chaired the meeting, said afterwards: "The majority of tenants are on Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 tenancies and have been assured of their situation in respect of their tenancies, but a new owner of the estate would probably take a more robust approach to its management in the future.
"The tenants were alerted that moves may be made to introduce changes to clauses in their agreements, such as responsibility for repairs etc, and they were also made aware of the importance of seeking advice at rent reviews.
"This sale could mean a major change for the local community in Llanwddyn and for the farmers who farm the land on the estate."
Also present at the meeting were FUW's director of business development Emyr James; land agent and agricultural tenancy experts from Davis Meade Property Consultants, of Oswestry; and a representative of Gamlins Solicitors, Bangor.
"It was explained to the tenants what was involved in a lease arrangement and how this could impact on their farming business and the local community," said Mr James.
Mr Watkins added: "This is likely to be a major change for the local community here in Llanwddyn and for the farmers who farm the land on the estate. The meeting was obviously valued by the tenant farmers judging by the number that were present.
"We will continue to monitor the situation with this sale with great interest