Farmer accuses son of trying to asset strip estate in row over £2.2m cottage
A WEALTHY farmer accused his son of trying to “asset-strip” him as they battled in court over a £2.25 million family cottage.
George Heaver, 74, and his forebears have farmed hundreds of acres in Strettington, West Sussex, for “many generations”, the High Court heard.
His son, Miles, 46, argued that he was the backbone of the business for more than 20 years, helping it to diversify into property. But father and son are now at each other’s throats over a cottage on the West Stoke estate where the younger Mr Heaver lives with his wife, Arabella.
The son insists he is due at least a stake in Corner Cottage for his years of low-paid work and the huge sums he has put into renovating the house.
But his father is fighting his claim, saying he let his son and daughter-inlaw live in the house simply to “put a roof over their heads”. The couple, who married in 1996, brought up their fami- ly in the house and said they have spent £700,000 improving it – including the installation of an Aga. Daniel Bromilow, for Miles Heaver, said the younger man had played a pivotal role in bringing the farm into the 21st century.
Confident that Corner Cottage was effectively his, Mr Bromilow said the younger Mr Heaver also “forewent the opportunity to buy his own family home”. However, relations between father and son soured. The court was told the row over Corner Cottage was part of a “wide-ranging dispute” covering “many different companies, trusts and proper- ties”. Bernard Weatherill, for George Heaver, said the father had never promised his son a stake in the house, which was an integral part of the estate. On top of that, the older man had already given his son another property while he was at university. The older Mr Heaver told the court he planned to retire to Corner Cottage. His son, he claimed, had itchy feet and repeatedly complained about traffic and aircraft noise affecting the property.
He said Miles Heaver, as the oldest son, could have stepped into his father’s shoes at West Stoke Farm, the “hub” of the estate. “He’s made clear that he wants nothing more to do with the Heaver family, which was rather insulting considering all we’ve done for him,” he added. Allowing his son to sell Corner Cottage would erode the business generations of his family had worked to keep in one piece, he said.
He said of the estate: “It’s not going to be asset-stripped in my lifetime”.
Judge Edward Murray will give his ruling at a later date.