Fight for community farm goes on
THE owner of a popular community farm has revealed his strategy for beating the council ruling that it must shut down.
Following a public meeting Kevin Swindells, from the Garden House, confirmed that an appeal against the decision has been lodged with the Planning Inspectorate.
And he told the meeting, attended by more than 100 people, that another planning application for the farm will be submitted to the council.
The appeal means the Garden House can remain open beyond the original July 12 deadline for shutting while it is decided.
Speaking after the meeting, Kevin, 61, said: “It went really well and the public support we have received makes me very proud.
“It makes us even more determined to carry on, if there were lots of people against us then you would have to think again.
“We have listened and taken on board issues with parking and access and hopefully when we submit another planning application the council will take into account public support.”
Since the council refused Kevin’s original application and ordered him to shut there has been a huge outpouring of support with around 6,000 people signing a petition demanding the decision be reversed.
The Garden House has attractions including animals, a cafe, playground and countryside trials, assault course and orchard.
Kevin applied for planning permission more than two years ago and by April 2016 got fed up of waiting for answer so opened.
This followed advice from planning experts this would be fine as the application had been submitted and was still pending.
Kevin believes a ruling made back in 1982 that the area can be used for community activities means planning permission is effectively already granted.
But the application was refused in early June this year shortly after a busy Bank Holiday weekend prompted complaints from neighbours over parking.
It is free to visit with only a donation asked for. At the meeting even children spoke in support saying how much they enjoyed visiting.
A council spokesman said: “We are committed to defending this appeal and upholding the principle of protecting the green belt from unauthorised developments.”