A FARM in Hailsham which produces organic dairy products has won its battle to stop homes being built on land it uses for its livestock.
Plans to build up to 180 homes on the land east of Battle Road were discussed by Wealden Planning Councillors this morning (Thursday) after a lengthy and controversial application which has attracted almost a thousand letters from residents on the Wealden Planning Portal.
The family-owned farm, Hook and Son, has been battling the plans for the development and said its business would become unviable if the plans were approved.
In a shock decision by Wealden planners, all councillors, all bar one, voted to refuse the plans on the grounds that any new homes would suffer from bad aromas from the nearby wastewater treatment works, local employment opportunities and other concerns such as historical buildings on the site and local transport issues.
Councillors were overwhelmingly supportive of the business which has farmed the land for more than 250 years, employs almost 30 people and produces raw milk and dairy products which are sold across the country.
Ward member, Councillor Neil Cleaver, (Liberal Democrats) said in a statement: “I implore you to reject this application. The current organic dairy farm provides significant social, economic and environmental benefits that far outweigh the purported benefits of residential development. These reasons align with saved local plan policies, NPPF guidelines and the Hailsham NDP.
To accept it goes against what most have stood for, and runs the added risk of organic mud, sludge, or worse in your faces.”
The committee heard a passionate speech from a 16-year-old young farmer who is currently training at the farm and is developing his career. He said: “I’m passionate about farming, I milk cows and work for Hook and Son. I live with my family on a small holding on Harebeating Farm, so, it would be very disheartening to lose this business at this stage of my career. As well as this, I would be very sad that land next to my home will be lost to housing. This land has been looked after for many centuries and food security is so important to this country.”
After the meeting, Owner Steve Hook (pictured top) told Hailsham News: “I’m really pleased that councillors have strongly refused this application. Obviously, the ball is now in the developer’s court and it’s up to them whether they appeal or not, if they do, we’re ready for that. We now need to also speak to the landowners in the hope they still allow us to farm the land, and my business can continue to grow.
The demand for our produce is rocketing at the moment, as so many people are coming to us for raw milk, and this is really significant. Our farm is of national nutritional importance, it’s not just a farm selling locally, it’s bigger than that, and that’s why so many people contacted councillors to tell them exactly that.”
Officers recommended that the development should be approved, but with a smaller number of dwellings (145), due to the wastewater treatment site and over-development. However, councillors didn’t want to even consider approving a lower amount of homes, as they didn’t feel assured that the developers would agree to it.
Councillor Gareth Owen-Williams (Liberal Democrat) proposed to approve the plans, but received no seconder, so it was not carried. All other councillors on the committee supported a proposal made by Councillor Martyn Everitt (Green) and seconded by Councillor Kevin Benton (Independent), and the plans were refused.
Longleys Farm is hundreds of years old. The current landowners sold the farm to the Hook family in 2009 but retained 40 acres for potential development. The Hook family do not own these 40 acres but has only been able to farm it in recent years under annual grazing licenses granted by the landowners.
The planning application can be viewed on the Wealden District Council website by searching for application WD/2023/1684/MAO.
Photos: © Regional Media Group Ltd.
