Get ON my land!
Farmer who has fallen out with locals invites travellers to stay – as long as they ruin the village
A SMALLHOLDER with a grudge against her neighbours has told travellers they can live on her land as long as they ruin the village.
Linda Watson, 48, says she would be the ‘happiest woman going’ if travellers took up her offer to stay on her two-and-a-half acres in the Cambridgeshire countryside.
She has fallen out with locals after they failed to back her plan to build a home on her land. She currently lives in a caravan.
‘We have a fantastic plot. It’s got electric, water, scenery – it’s a gorgeous place,’ she said.
‘I would be the happiest woman going if I could get travellers on my land.
‘My only stipulation is that they ruin the village. Everyone in Kirtling is so far up their own a***.’
Miss Watson has made several planning applications to expand her business and build a small home at Coedendderw Stud in Kirtling, near Newmarket. She has been working there as a horse rehabilitation specialist for seven years.
She says she has put in the planning applications to improve her livelihood and lifestyle, including the small home for herself and her partner.
However, East Cambridgeshire District Council has rejected her plans, saying they are not viable.
Miss Watson, who has been involved in the racing industry for most of her life and has owned the land for 17 years, has now been forced to consider leaving the vil-
‘Sounds like sour grapes’
lage. She added: ‘This was just a rundown piece of land when I bought it but I’ve spent thousands making it look good.
‘I had a meeting with the council about plans to make a permanent home here and they advised me to put forward a business plan, but they’ve told me it was rubbish. As for the villagers, what have they done for us?
‘They’ve always gossiped – not one person in Kirtling has put in a letter to help our planning application.
‘We won’t be in this country by the end of October – so I tell you this, travellers will be living here in September. It’s a very well-to-do village. Most council houses have been purchased and done up.
‘The district council has spent thousands on parts of the area. But with travellers next door, how much will it be worth then?’ Perhaps unsurprisingly, Miss Watson’s comments have gone down badly with residents.
On the Cambridge News Facebook page, Paul Bradley wrote: ‘Sounds like sour grapes toward the council and residents for her not being able to build a house, nothing to do with helping travellers.’
Kate Green said: ‘Miserable old bag – your business plan was rejected so have a strop. I’m glad I don’t have you as a neighbour.’
Another resident said: ‘Perhaps if she did a proper business plan and planning application instead of on the back of a cigarette packet she might get permission and change her mind.’