Please don’t close down our farm

10:33am Friday 27th October 2006

LOWER Shaw Farm is to close as the council hopes to pick up £2m from its sale.

The farm in West Swindon has been open to the public for more than 30 years, giving town children the chance to experience life on the land, arts and crafts, as well as being the headquarters of the Swindon Literature Festival.

But the council says the services can be provided elsewhere and the £8,000 a year rent is not good value for money from the land and buildings worth at least £2m.

It has refused to renew the farm trust's five-year lease due next month, saying instead that it will be sold.

Cabinet member for resources, Coun Nick Martin, said the sale price was the equivalent of half a new primary school.

Farm manager Matt Holland said Lower Shaw was worth much more than its sale value.

"Our lease expires with them in November," Mr Holland said.

"In their most recent letter they informed us of their decision that they would not renew our five-year lease but could offer us one year because they want to sell the farm for housing.

"There has been no consultation.

"We almost feel like we have been treated like any other brownfield site for disposal. This is owned by the people of Swindon and used by them."

Mr Holland said the farm had attracted generations of parents and children.

"One mother said she brought her daughter here because I came here when I was seven years old and it's one of my most cherished memories'," he said.

"It's very important to the people of Swindon. It's interesting, unusual and successful.

"It doesn't cost the council a penny. There are so many activities here that don't fit the tick boxes but people use them like mad. It would be irreplaceable if sold.

The farm is leased to a trust and has become a thriving attraction for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Activities include weekend and day courses in arts and crafts, gardening and the environment, writing and reading, music and juggling, cooking and animal care.

Children from schools and playgroups all over Swindon visit the farm.

Coun Martin (Con, Shaw & Nine Elms) said the farm was not value for money.

He said agricultural school visits were available at nearby Lydiard House.

"We're building three new schools in West Swindon," he said.

"We have had to go through all the things we own. The business case only points one way.

"We should be able to market the site as high-quality housing."

Mr Martin said the council was "not aware of a great many school visits" to Lower Shaw.

"The farming aspect is not greater than you would find on an allotment," Coun Martin said.

"We have got better educational facilities out at Lydiard.

"We have got the Lydiard Park project well under way with a converted stableyard there for educational purposes."

He said the closure would not affect the literature festival.

A protest meeting is planned at the farm on Old Shaw Lane, Shaw, on Sunday, November 5 from 2pm to 5pm.

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