Nearly 300 businesses have backed a campaign to save Oakleys Farm, as Staffordshire Moorlands District Council defends planning enforcement action against the rural enterprise.
More than 6,600 people from 521 postcode areas have signed a petition to show support for the Dilhorne-based farm, which has been told to demolish barns, a farm shop and offices built without planning permission.
Businesses from across Staffordshire Moorlands and Stoke-on-Trent have also backed the campaign, including Foley Oatcakes in Fenton, The Gourmet Sausage Company in Leek, The Dog and Partridge in Packmoor and Curtis Accountants in Cheadle.
The authority said a number of buildings had been erected without planning permission and that non-agricultural activities had been introduced at the site without the necessary approvals.
Those activities, according to the council, include ‘storage and sale of builders materials, garden and landscaping materials/supplies, second hand plant and machinery, firewood and food products; the storage and hire of groundworks vehicles, equipment, machinery and plant; the holding of public events; and the ancillary parking of vehicles’.
In a statement, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council said: “Oakleys has developed without consideration for relevant planning policies and, in particular, that the site is located within the Green Belt where under National Planning Policy agriculture is permitted but other forms of commercial development are not.”
The council also said that a Government Inspector had upheld two enforcement notices served last year after appeals by the farm business. In his decision, the inspector concluded that the uses would give the site ‘a commercial appearance more akin to a small business park’ and would represent ‘a significant visual intrusion on the openness of the Green Belt’.
Supporters of Oakleys Farm, which employs eight full-time staff and 15 seasonal workers, argue that the business has become an important part of the local economy and a successful example of modern farm diversification.
Established in 2012 by farmer Oakley Whilock, the farm has expanded beyond traditional agriculture to include a farm shop, local food sales and other commercial activities. Campaigners say the business supports jobs, works with suppliers across the region and contributes to the rural economy.
A spokesperson for Oakleys Farm said: “This is a working farm that earns its keep, employs local people and feeds local kitchens. Tearing it down protects nobody and costs everybody.
“What this petition does is show the council, the local councillors, the MP and the press the sheer scale of support for the farm – and that pressure matters. The more of us who stand up, and the more who write to the council directly, the harder this is to ignore.”
In its statement, the authority said it actively encourages farms to diversify and has provided grants for agricultural initiatives through regeneration funding schemes.
The statement added: “There is no reason why aspects of the business such as rearing buffalo meat or grazing reindeer cannot continue in the other buildings on site. The Notices only relate to non-agricultural uses and specific buildings.”
What do you think about the campaign? Leave a comment below.
This should be considered for giving retrospective permission, The items it provides serves no harm to anyone only provides benefits to the local and wider community. this includes Business’s, Adults and children who enjoy the benefits and activities they take the time to put on. All children love animals and learn from the experience. Building materials serve the local community and delivery provided, Christmas Trees grown and delivered, Pumpkin events shared. This all take work and planning for which they have carried out.
To destroy this and take jobs away what actual benefit does it bring.
Owners should be helped to now bring their paperwork in line with the Council requirement applying variation to fit and worked to
Lets see common sense approach and benefits for all.
Keep Britain working and supporting each other along with our regulation guidance, No more business’s closing when they could be saved.
I live close to Oakleys Farm and I think that he has brought a lot of good to this area. It gives a lot of children a chance to see and be close to animals they could only wish to have contact with.
We have nothing else like this in the area. It’s a place for people to get together without costing a lot of money for families.
It would be a crying shame to take this place down not only for Oakleys family but visitors who enjoy a beautiful place to go to.
To take this lovely place down would not be beneficial to anyone.