Farmer could be evicted if land is used for houses

Andrew Gurney is a tenant of Eaton Leys Farm, on Newton Road, near Bletchley and has been farming livestock and crops since 1972.

Prior to that, he farmed the land with his father and now farms the land with his son.

Plans have been submitted to Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) and Milton Keynes Council to build 1,800 homes on Eaton Leys with two primary schools, public open space and a community centre.

The site, which is just off the A4146 also includes plans to demolish most of the farm buildings, some of which are 200 years old.

Speaking to the Citizen, Mr Gurney said the farm was ‘iconic’ and was close to the historic Roman site of Magnovinium.

He added the plans meant he would have to vacate the land he was born and bred on.

He said: “I will be put out of business if it comes.

“We have someone living down there and it is part of our farming business. This would cause problems for us.

“People want houses, I understand that, but this farm is quite iconic.”

In a letter to AVDC, Mr Gurney said if the plans was approved, it would result in the loss of land suitable for food production, the loss of mature trees and wildlife habitat, traffic gridlock on the A4146 and any development would be at risk of flooding due to its proximity to the River Ouzel.

The application for the site has been submitted by Gallagher Estates.