Barbra Streisand has said she understands that California has to sell the 22-acre Malibu ranch she donated to the state to help balance the budget.

But she said she hopes the buyer will preserve its “special habitat”.

The singer released a statement last week about governor Jerry Brown’s decision to put Ramirez Canyon and other state-owned properties up for sale.

Ms Streisand donated the property to California and the state’s Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy in 1993.

It contains rolling meadows, creeks and custom homes.

Ms Streisand wanted the property – valued at £9 million – to become an environmental conference and study centre.

But the conservancy scrapped those plans, angering Streisand.

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