A FAMILY of farmers have told of their relief after a government inspector’s decision effectively safeguarded the future of their organic operation.

The Arnison-Newgass family are planning to build a bungalow at Gambledown Farm, near Sherfield English, for a stockman to run their 200-strong beef herd.

The scheme was rejected by Test Valley Borough Council last year, but the family later appealed against the decision, claiming the development was vital if they were to carry on breeding organic Shorthorn cattle.

Now, seven weeks after a public inquiry into the row, a government inspector has backed their plans.

Michael Arnison-Newgass, who has run the farm with his wife for 42 years, wants to retire so a stockman can take up the reins and his son, Richard, can run the marketing side of the business.

He said: “It is a huge relief and it means that Gambledown Farm can continue, which is to the benefit of everybody.

“This is a great decision and the inspector was very sound and wise in his judgement and absolutely understood the issues.

“This decision means that my son can continue the business knowing that he can employ a specialist stockman and we can retire and the farm can carry on as it is.”

TVBC had argued at the March inquiry that the bungalow plan was “not essential to the operation” of the farm and that there was “no need for a specialist stockman on site”.

But, in his report, government planning inspector, David Prentis, concluded: “The farming operations at Gambledown Farm maintain a patchwork of relatively small fields, divided by hedgerows and woodlands.

“No artificial chemicals are used. This method of land management has significant benefits for wildlife.

“I have concluded that there is an essential agricultural need for the dwelling. It follows that the dwelling would support the continuation of the current style of land management and the associated ecological benefits.

“This is a further consideration weighing in favour of the appeal.”