HOW can we keep Grimsbury Farm as a treasured asset in our community?
That’s the question that cash-strapped South Gloucestershire Council is asking local people this spring.
It says it has no plans to close the attraction but admits that unless a way can be found to make it break even the large animals, including cows, pigs and goats, will be sent elsewhere, although the green space will remain open to the public.
Councillor Sam Bromiley, leader of the Conservative group on the council, is keen to save the farm and says a petition in support of it has gathered more than 1,000 names.
The Lib-Dem/Labour administration says the farm is costing the council £200,000 a year for vet bills, skilled staff, feed and welfare – money it can no longer afford.
It is planning to launch a “community conversation” to “make the farm better for residents” and invite expressions of interest from groups who could run it instead.
The cabinet considered a report on the farm’s future on February 3 and rejected an option to mothball it after being told the security costs of fencing and surveillance for such an extensive site would be huge.
Helen Isaacs, who has lived next to Grimsbury Farm for 27 years, told the cabinet meeting: “It’s a beautiful, much-loved, busy place used by visitors and the local Kingswood and Warmley community. After the gates have closed and the people have gone, the farm comes to life again. Flocks of birds land to feed on the field, the foxes appear and forage for food. There is a badger sett on the farm and bats start to appear in the spring.
“It’s a calm, safe place that people and nature share. I’m asking South Gloucestershire Council to think before any decisions are made and ask what is irreplaceable, what can’t be recreated once destroyed?”
Cabinet member for communities and local place Cllr Sean Rhodes (Lab, Kingswood) replied: “I share all of the things that you said and I totally agree and recognise the value of all the things you mentioned, and that’s why there is no plan to close Grimsbury Farm.
“We are going to be engaging in community conversations with members of the public to get a better idea of what we need to do to keep Grimsbury Farm going as a little jewel within Kingswood.”
Ward Cllr Alison Evans (Lab, Woodstock) said: “I’m sorry you came thinking that the farm might be closed and that would all be lost but that is something that is definitely not on our radar. We want to keep the farm open for use and to actually expand it for all those biodiversity and wellbeing things you mentioned.”
Opposition group leader Cllr Bromiley (Parkwall & Warmley) said he was encouraged by the intention to secure the site’s future. He said support for the petition launched by the Tories showed its importance to the community.
Councillor Rhodes said: “The simple fact is that as the farm is operating at the moment it is haemorrhaging money and it would be irresponsible for us as a cabinet to continue to allow that money to be lost.
“It is crucial that we find a way of creating a new farm, making it better than it currently is, that delivers more for residents and visitors.
“There is a commitment to keeping Grimsbury Farm operating. It’s a well-loved community asset and we all understand the value it brings to South Gloucestershire.”
The cabinet report said the council partnered with a further education provider in 2008 to train young people in farming and animal welfare.
Two years later the friends group, supported by the Brandon Trust, converted a stone barn into a community cafe which gives adults with learning difficulties work experience.
The report said: “During 2022/23, the FE provider gave notice that it would discontinue its educational courses from the 2023/24 academic year, resulting in an annual income loss. A replacement agriculture-based educational skills partner has not been found. In 2023/24, the average cost for each of the large animals was approximately £3,200.
“With no income from FE courses to offset these costs, the farm has been unable to achieve revenue neutrality or find alternative income streams or a new operating partner.
“Consequently, the public subsidy of the farm has increased, which is unsustainable.”
Meeting report by Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service