Blow for team hoping to save urban farm
ATEAM set up to save an urban farm in green belt have again failed to gain council permission for the site.
The Garden House Farm, in Marple, has been running for more than three years.
A committee set up to save the visitor attraction says paper-based and online petitions have been signed by more than 6,000 people and they are considering an appeal of the latest planning refusal by Marple Area Committee.
The Garden House, on Lakes Road, features attractions including animals, a cafe, playground, countryside trials, an orchard and a nursery.
Campaigner Gemma McBride told the Express the views of the public had not be taken into consideration by the council, but vowed they will continue the fight.
She said: “There was very little consideration given to the very special circumstances to build on the green belt.
“There is very little to do in Marple if you have got families and young children. Many schools use the facility.
“There was a lot of discussion around the traffic and specific concerns around Lakes Road. In 15 years there’s only been one accident on the road and that wasn’t when the Garden House was open.”
Owner Kevin Swindells’ retrospective planning application for a change of use of land to a mixed use consisting of an urban farm and educational facility, together with retention of associated buildings, structures and parking areas, was refused at the Area Committee.
The application had received 112 supporting comments, along with 21 objections.
Mr Swindells had previously been sent a council order to close by July 12, 2017, subject to appeal, after the refusal of a previous planning application.
A Stockport council spokesperson explained this week: “When considering the application the committee considered all of the comments that had been received both in support of and in opposition to the development, together with the case for very special circumstances put forward by the applicant in support of the application.
“Ultimately, however, in reaching the decision, it was considered that the case put forward in support of the application was not considered strong enough to outweigh the harm caused by the development that is contrary to both local and national planning policy. The applicant has the right to appeal the decision should they wish to do so.”