From farming to caravanning (From Gazette & Herald)

From farming to caravanning

A MOORLAND couple whose families have farmed in the national park for generations have finally seen their diversification scheme take off.

Robert and Annabel Strickland, of Hutton-le-Hole, have fought since 1999 to develop a 22-pitch caravan and camp site at their family farm.

Planners on the North York Moors National Park Authority turned the application down in 2001 because they said it would be an alien feature in the landscape.

On appeal, a Government inspector granted planning permission, and this weekend will see the first visitors arriving.

"This will be a means of growth to keep up revenue on the farm," said Mrs Strickland.

"We are from long-standing local farming families and I think a lot of people don't want to see the farm go."

The family farms around 300 acres, with sheep, cattle and agricultural contracting all part of the business.

Mrs Strickland has also run two rooms as bed and breakfast since she and her husband moved to the farm in 1989.

The site now boasts electric hook-ups, a laundry room, and shower and toilet facilities catering for disabled visitors.

Dozens of letters of support were sent from villagers who said the site would benefit the local economy.

Ten residents objected, fearing a significant increase in traffic.

Mrs Strickland said some financial help from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) had been a boost.

"To us, the site is a major hurdle because it can make such a lot of difference to farming - it generates a future for our two sons," she added.

Ryedale MP John Greenway said he was delighted to be invited to the official opening of the site.

"People do need to have the opportunities, within the confines of what's acceptable visually and in terms of size, to run tourism businesses and earn their livelihood in the park," he said.

Updated: 15:07 Wednesday, April 16, 2003