A FARMING family has launched an appeal against a planning decision, which they claim will see an end to their organic operation.

In July Test Valley’s planning control committee turned down Richard Arnison-Newgass’s application for a stockman’s bungalow at Gambledown Farm, between Sherfield English and Lockerley.

Mr Arnison-Newgass said an agricultural dwelling for a live-in stockman was needed as his parents Michael and Virginia, both 69, were to retire after running the 300-acre farm for 40 years.

The family say their organic farm which supplies fresh meat mainly to local market is an asset to the community.

Without a stockman to help look after the herd of 150 shorthorn cattle the land would have to be turned over to intensive arable farming, probably carried out by an outside contractor, they claim.

Mr Arnison-Newgass said there was no question that a stockman’s bungalow would later be sold off as private dwelling.

The refusal was based on a report by Reading Agricultur-al Consultants who stated that there was not enough evidence that the enterprise was financially sound.

The inquiry will be held in public.