A free community farm has been ordered to shut down – and it’s sparked a huge backlash

A council decision to shut down a community farm has triggered a huge outpouring of support.

The Garden House, in Marple, must close on July 12, subject to an appeal by owner Kevin Swindells who opened it in April last year.

Since the news broke an online petition has been set up which gained more than 3,000 signatures in half a day .

Kevin Swindells at The Garden House

An article on the Stockport Express website also attracted hundreds of supportive comments with the farm described as a ‘wonderful’ family attraction and the council heavily criticised.

Many people have also posted pictures of themselves and their children enjoying a visit.

Angela Birch, who set up the petition, says: “The Garden House needs your support to remain there, the facilities are wonderful and attract families and individuals of all ages.

One of the farm’s residents

“Animals, play equipment, walks and much more are on offer here and it is a fabulous place.

“It is now being threatened with closure due to Stockport council refusing planning permission retrospectively.”

Kevin, 61, used his own money to set up the Garden House, on Lakes Road, and doesn’t charge for entry – only asking for a donation.

Some of the pictures shared with the Stockport Express after a story about the fate of The Garden House

He applied for planning permission two years ago and by April 2016 got fed up of waiting for answer so opened. It followed advice from planning experts this would be fine as the application had been submitted and was still pending.

But the application was refused in early June this year shortly after a busy Bank Holiday weekend prompted complaints from neighbours over parking.

Kevin says these problems were a one-off that have now been dealt with.

He added: “We are here and here to stay, I own the land and it is a real community facility.”

A council spokesman said the Garden House was an unauthorised development in green belt land and the planning application was refused because it was ‘contrary to the council’s adopted planning policies’.

He added: “No special circumstances that would overcome the policy reasons for refusal were demonstrated. We therefore considered that action to protect the site and its residents was the most appropriate.”

A petition has been set up at calling for Stockport council to rethink the decision .