“We have no fight left,” say the owners of Westridge Farm near Ryde, where the 473-house West Acre Park development is being built.
In a statement posted on social media on Monday evening, the Holliday family said:
“We are truly sorry we cannot go on fighting, but we can only take so much… we as a family are broken and have simply had enough.”
They have now reached an agreement with their landlord to hand over the farm by the end of October, if planning permission is agreed by then.
Meanwhile, a motion before tonight’s (Tuesday) planning committee meeting at County Hall, brought by Cllr Claire Critchison, calls for a new report and for a decision to be held back.
For the last six years, the Hollidays have fought to save their home, farm and livelihood, after plans were unveiled by Island developers Captiva Homes to build on the land they lease.
They said they have been living with uncertainty.
Last night, the family wrote:
“It has got to the point where we cannot go on any longer. We have no fight left. With a heavy heart, we have reached an agreement with our landlord to gain vacant possession of Westridge Farm.”
What has happened so far at Westridge Farm?
- Planning permission was approved at a meeting of the Isle of Wight Council’s planning committee in July.
- Permission has not yet been finalised, subject to conditions and legal agreements
- Holliday family felt it was ‘not fairly decided’
- As tenant farmers, the Hollidays have been on the land for three generations
- ‘Save Westridge Farm’ campaign has gathered support and sought legal advice
In July, Chief executive of Captiva Homes, Iain Delaney, said as Islanders, the developers recognised the importance of more jobs, £100 million in investment and the need for nearly 500 new homes. The first phase of the scheme is already complete and he said 80 per cent had gone to Islanders.
Tonight, Cllr Critchison will ask planning councillors to ‘resolve through an abundance of caution’ the problems that have been raised by ‘concerned residents’.
The family said they were thankful for the community’s support and know the fight may be continued without them but for the sake of their mental health it was time for them to step away and find their future happiness away from Westridge Farm, after 55 years of farming.
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