A FARM in danger of becoming 475 houses in Ryde is the latest subject of a value of community asset application after the town council threw its support behind the plans.
Last night (Monday) a motion was approved by Ryde Town Council (RTC), with 13 votes in favour and two abstentions, to support the idea of Westridge Farm becoming a community farm and apply to the Isle of Wight Council for it to be listed as an asset of community value.
Putting forward the motion, deputy Mayor of Ryde Jenna Sabine, said it was heartbreaking to see the personal side of the development, with the Holliday family potentially losing their home and business despite signing a lease in the 1960s for three generations of farmers to be on the land.
Cllr Sabine said: "The Hollidays have already lost fields to development and have to look onto 88 houses that have been built. They don’t want to see any more.
"They have invested a lot of money and I think we should be doing everything to protect that family and the green space.
"I understand we need houses but they need to be somewhere else."
The site at the top of Ryde is the subject of a yet-to-be-determined planning application, submitted by Island developers Captiva Homes, for 475 houses (some affordable), as well as a doctor's surgery and cafe.
RTC as a body has supported the retention of the land and objected to the planning application, which is thought to be heading to the Isle of Wight Council's planning committee soon.
If the council were to be successful with its application, it would join other noticeable Ryde landmarks as community assets like the Ryde Arena.
An asset of community value means when the landowner wants to sell the property, the community has six months to pull together an offer.
Cllr Michael Lilley, Mayor of Ryde, said the family had been successful in applying to the Plunkett Foundation — a national body for agricultural and rural development to support communities exercising their rights.
A mentor has been funded by the foundation to help the Hollidays pull together a plan for the future, making the farm viable, in the form of a couple running a community farm in Shropshire.
As the last dairy farm in Ryde, Cllr Lilley said it is important to retain the farm as it would be an important educational resource for children, having the only automated milking system on the Island.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Lisa Carter, who along with Cllr Sabine fronted the motion, said she understands there is a housing shortage on the Island but having a community farm and supporting the family, 'who have had the rug pulled out from under them', is important.
Cllr Carter said the farm wants to develop, providing winter tourism, attracting mainland schools, as well as community events such as an outdoor cinema and milk vending machine.
Cllr Sabine said it would not just be about the educational side of things but also as a source of local produce, supplying milk and other items to the town.
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