A RIFT has developed between two of the leading rural watchdog groups over the growth of farm sales to people who have no intention of farming.

The Countryside Alliance, which has been at the forefront of recent rural campaigns, says the trend could turn the region's agricultural areas into a "suburban theme park".

But their counterparts at the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) take an opposing view, saying the shift in ownership could boost investment in the countryside.

The spat follows the publication of a survey by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors which shows that, nationally, nearly half the people buying farms are not farmers.

For the Yorkshire region the figure was 15 per cent, while in the combined North-East and North-West region it was 32 per cent.

The CLA says that may be good news for rural communities but the Countryside Alliance fears the opposite may be the case.

"The clear implication is that the region is losing a huge percentage of its farming output to provide homes for wealthy non-farmers," said the Country Alliance's regional spokesman, James Bates.

The CLA believes the trend could allow farmers to restructure their businesses to increase profits.

Regional director Dorothy Fairburn said: "What matters most is whether outside money is bringing a better restructuring of farming, along with new investment

"New landowners may well invest in the local community and new types of businesses, providing a welcome boost to the rural economy.

"Although Yorkshire has seen farmers having to sell up, new enterprises are springing up, particularly in the tourism and leisure markets."