Housing magnate amasses farmland estate

28 September 1998

Housing magnate amasses farmland estate

THE chairman of Britains third largest housebuilder has amassed a huge estate in Northumberland, reports The Independent.

Duncan Davidson, chairman of Persimmon, has been steadily buying moorland farms in the Cheviots for the past decade. He now owns 10,117 hectares (25,000 acres).

The paper reports that Mr Davidson has reduced the number of sheep on his estate to bring back the heather. This provides much better conditions for grouse, country sports and shooting, which are Mr Davidsons passions.

• The Independent 28/09/98 page 10