A farm in Ickleford that’s been earmarked for sale will be back on the county council’s agenda next week – after it emerged previous reports had included an “incorrect plan”.

The council’s cabinet determined that the a 10-acre section of Lower Green Farm  – including a Grade II 16th century farmhouse and stables – could be disposed of at a meeting in February.

But now it has emerged the site boundary on plans that had been considered by the cabinet had only included six acres of the 10 acre site.

So on Monday (May 13) Lower Green Farm will be back on the cabinet agenda, when councillors will be asked to “note” the correct 10-acre boundary.

According to a report prepared in advance of the meeting the February report had been drafted in relation to the 10-acre site. But the “incorrect plan” was included.

“The February report correctly described all the areas above and
referred to the 10-acres of land to be disposed,” says the latest report.

“The report was written on the basis that it was seeking approval to sell the whole 10-acre site.

“However, the plan appended to the report only showed outlined in red
the approx. 6-acre farmhouse, building and surrounding land.

“The adjoining approx 4 acres of grazing land was not outlined in red on the appended plan, although it is referenced within the report.”

Until the latest tenant moved out of Lower Green Farm last year, the site had included the Ickleford Equestrian Centre.

Before the council decided that the land could be sold more than 500 residents signed a petition opposing the plans – in a bid to ensure the equestrian facility could be reinstated.

In recognition of this councillors agreed that no offer should be accepted within three months of their decision – in order to give campaigners the chance to make a bid themselves.