Landowners have their say on Westridge Farm controversy

Controversial plans for 475 houses on Westridge Farm in Ryde have been the centre of debate for one farming family, the Hollidays, who could lose their livelihood and home if the development is approved.

After the issue came to light in the media, most recently shown on BBC South Today, owners of the land, Arnbrow, wrote an open letter to leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr Dave Stewart, and all other councillors explaining why the coverage so far has not been a 'fair or accurate representation' of the situation.

• Westridge Farm tenant farmer slams 475 homes plan

In the letter, Robert Ball, director of the company, said a commercial settlement was mutually agreed with the Hollidays for the land forming West Acre Park, proposing money and land valued at £800,000.

According to Mr Ball, the family had 'clearly demonstrated their willingness to agree commercial terms and cease farming at Westridge' but before signing the documents, the Hollidays 'had resorted to seek more money' asking for £1 million instead.

• Revealed: Full details of controversial Ryde homes scheme - original plans

Responding to the letter in a statement on the Save Westridge Farm Facebook Page, the family said the letter insinuates they have been unreasonable in the negotiations but that the offers put forward were simply not fair or viable, and 'purely suited the needs of the landowner'.

The commercial settlement, the family said, did offer the £800,000 and the remaining 50 acres of land not taken up by the West Acre Park development, but with no home or suitable dairy and farm buildings and a multi-user pathway across it, so a counteroffer was put in for £1 million, based on relocating to another dairy farm where heavy investments would be needed.

In November last year, the family was prepared to accept the lower offer but the payment terms put forward by Arnbrow meant they would receive nothing on surrendering their tenancy and receiving the first payment only when they left the farm.

The family said this would have forced them to close the dairy farm, potentially before planning permission was granted, and with no farm to move to.

Three generations of the Holliday family.

• 'Save our home from bulldozers' - Ryde farmer's impassioned plea

They said: "This is an extremely difficult time, knowing that everything our family has worked for is in jeopardy.

"Dairy farming is not a job, it is a way of life and to walk away and leave it all behind is not a decision we could take lightly."

• Westridge Farm boy's emotional plea to save his future

Revised plans for the development were officially lodged with the Isle of Wight Council last week, which means the public consultation has reopened and will close on December 4.

• Read what the developers had to say about the revised plans here

Cllr Michael Lilley, representative for the area, has said the further development is not needed when 1,500 houses are already approved for Ryde.

• Ryde homes scheme a bridge too far, say objectors

He said: "In 2014, only 1,400 were needed according to the council's housing delivery plan. We do not need a further 475 but we do need a farm that could produce local food for our community and protect our environment.

"The West Acre Park development is about making money from on off-Island owner, and an Island family trying to keep their business, home and livelihood going.

"I support this farming family even stronger than before. The greed is with the landowner."