Fordhall's stage two gets the green light!

Whoop whoo! Our planning application for the buildings has been accepted!!

For the last three years the Fordhall Community Land Initiative (FCLI) has been planning the development of the Old Dairy and other vital infrastructure improvements at Fordhall, and all this hard work was rewarded last week.

Everyone is very excited as this paves the way for the FCLI to really make the most of Fordhall.

The complete vision, that began in 2006 when the farm was saved from development, is about to turn into reality :-)

Jack Tavernor, one of our wonderful board members and chairman of our Building Working Group says "After the huge struggle to purchase the farm planning approval is fantastic news. It is an essential part of our business plan and emphasises the fact that the Fordhall Community Land Initiative is investing in its infrastructure and moving forwards."

The plan is to renovate the Old Dairy to include space for a classroom, toilets, a local food tearoom, new offices and a new farm shop and butchery. The hope is that schools will have a dry place to gather, our office will now have an indoor toilet and running water, and visitors will be able to grab a healthy and seasonal bite to eat when they visit the farm.

We are working with some wonderful people on this project including Ian from Seven Architecture and Gavin from WCP, both of whom are enabling us to stay on budget whilst creating a creative sustainable building that will ensure Fordhall remains as a beacon for community ownership across the country.
 
This a large project and it will be a large learning curve for us all, but we are looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully, by this time next year, you will be able to eat a Fordall steak sandwich or a fresh, organic tomato soup on the farm!

Charlotte