Margaret O’Neill, 84, has rented the land from Whitehouse Farm, but bosses say they ‘need the land back so we can comply with the below legal obligations’
Margaret O’Neill, 84, in the garden which she has cultivated for over 30 years(Image: Chronicle Live)
A woman who has lived in Morpeth since 1985 has spoken of her “deep sadness”, after she has been stripped of the garden that she has cultivated for over 30 years. Margaret O’Neill, 84, is no longer allowed to maintain the garden, having rented the land from Whitehouse Farm throughout this period.
This is due to the farm’s owners having to comply with Northumberland County Council’s planning obligations, with the land being allocated as a ‘wider screening area’ around the boundaries of the attraction. However, Margaret, of Whitehouse Cottages, has been left upset, given how much emotional resonance the garden has with her.
She said: “I’ve always been able to care for and garden on the land due to the agreement I had with the farm, and I’ve been doing this for decades. I have grown trees from seed, planted hazel bushes and fruit trees, and created a willow wigwam which my grandchildren, and other kids have played in.
“With the allotment, I have planted shrug bushes and an asparagus bed among other things. Other people who live here have said that it makes the area look better, and more of a nice environment to be in, and when I moved here, it was a rubbish tip, so I have put a lot of hard work into it.
Margaret O’Neill, 84, who is being stripped of the garden that she has cultivated for over 30 years(Image: Chronicle Live)
“In my retirement, I spend much more time at home, so there is definitely an emotional aspect to the garden, and I have created a lifestyle for myself and my family through doing so. I have always got on well with the farm, supporting them financially through lockdown, so this has been a hard thing to deal with, and it has made me deeply sad.
“The farm took on the agreement for both pieces of land, my allotment area and the garden, and it was two years ago that I found out that they needed the land back. I have offered to buy or continue to rent the land, and that offer still stands, so it will be such a shame if I am not able to continue with this.”
Whitehouse Farm has responded by saying that the land needs to ‘comply with legal obligations’ for the zoo licence which it operates under. The decision has been made to ‘minimise any visual impact’ the Northumberland farm has on the community, and having given Margaret 12 months notice, and describing it as an ‘unfortunate situation’, added that they have ‘no choice’.
In the full statement, a spokesperson for Whitehouse Farm said: “The farm has rented a plot of land to the resident for several years for £20 per year. We need the land back so we can comply with the below legal obligations.
Margaret O’Neill, 84, in the garden which she has cultivated for over 30 years(Image: Chronicle Live)
“We operate under a zoo license and must comply with all of their regulations, with one being the need to have a clear and secure boundary. After having many planning issues with the council over the last few years they have requested that we submit a masterplan for our site for at least the next 10 years.
“The two areas of land have been allocated as part of a wider screening area around our boundaries to minimise any visual impact that Whitehouse Farm may have on the wider community.
“We gave the resident 12 months notice of our requirement, and whilst we acknowledge it is an unfortunate situation, we have no choice as we must comply with all of our our legal obligations.”
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