A young farmer is appealing to the public to sign and share a petition to save his future.
The 8-year-old hopes to take the reins of Westridge Farm someday, like his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
It should be noted the Holliday family are tenant farmers acting as caretakers of this farmland at Westridge Farm since 1966.
Plans to build 475 homes
Developers have submitted plans to the Isle of Wight Council to build 475 homes on Westridge Farm. In fact, this is in addition to some 86 properties already being built on part of the farmland, the family said.
If the application is passed, the land will never again produce dairy, sheep, pigs and timber or any other renewable resources.
Developers and others are “now attempting to destroy forever this precious and now rare island habitat for quick short-term profit”.
They said this is “robbing current and future generations, and wildlife of a now precious island resource and habitat”.
“Westridge Farm is one of only 10 dairy farms left on the Isle of Wight. The planning application, known as West Acre Park, if passed, would mean the permanent loss of the farm and it’s ancient hedgerows and habit.”
Everything they have worked for over the last 50 years
As a result, the family will lose their home, livelihoods and everything they have worked for over the last 50 years.
“Westridge Farm is historic to the village of Elmfield and Ryd. Its loss will destroy the link with the natural environment. The current road infrastructure and the increase in traffic can barely manage existing traffic.”
”The loss of the farm and its green fields would effectively create coalescence, the merging of Ryde with Nettlestone and Seaview as one continuous urban sprawl.”
“Please sign and share this petition to help in the campaign to Save Westridge Farm and stop this development!” they concluded.
Furthermore, according to the family, over 280 objections have been submitted on the portal. Isle of Wright Council has received over 400 postal objectives, and 150 have been made by email the family said.
Information
For more information, or to sign the petition, click here.
