News / Yew Tree Farm
Fundraiser launched to save Yew Tree Farm
Bristol’s last remaining working farm is raising funds for a judicial review into the council’s plans to develop South Bristol Cemetery.
The planned expansion onto Yew Tree Farm land encroaches on a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) and the development has been fiercely fought by activists.
Catherine Withers, the farm’s custodian, had hoped the Green Party would reverse the decision when they took the council in May. But officers are continuing to “forcefully” push through the plans.
is needed now More than ever
“On this issue they have a vigour that is almost demonic,” Withers tells Bristol24/7. “They want the fields dug up before Christmas. They’re planning to rip up protected grassland for drainage.
“It’s quite clear to me that there’s a lot of vested interest from people who I think are nefarious, and only want to abuse the farm.
“Nature and wildlife doesn’t have a voice of its own, so I need to be there for it.”
The farm is one of the most wildlife rich sites in the city, home to IUCN-classified endangered species and Bristol’s only dormouse habitat- photo: George Cook
The farm’s plight came under the spotlight again in July when the council began scrub clearing work in nesting season, sparking further outcry from activists and wildlife advocates.
“There’s an urgency for this to be looked at. The Greens got an awful lot of votes off the back of protecting Yew Tree Farm and standing up for injustices the farm suffered under the previous administration,” continues Withers.
“We’re asking them to stand by their election pledges, one of which was to protect the farm. It would break their manifesto pledge if they develop on an SNCI.
“So many people want to see the site saved. I will do everything I can to make sure the committee, when it sits, is fully informed of the facts.”
£5,000 is needed to pay for an independent judicial review into the decision making, including errors Withers says she has identified – such as the stated double burial on the expanded cemetery site.
“Straight away, that’s a huge issue that hasn’t been considered,” says Withers.
“The surveys they did themselves said that the soil’s not suitable for that, they will only ever do single burial.
“And they’re trying to say South Bristol crem is full, but so little of it is built on. A hay meadow within the site hasn’t been used because they don’t need the capacity yet. So why does the financial report state it’s run out of space? Why are you building on Yew Tree Farm?
“I’m asking for these things to be out in the open, brought back to the table and reconsidered. I just want the new administration to listen to the facts.
“Legal help will show we’re serious. We’re not going to let Yew Tree Farm go – not on our watch and not with such poor decision making.”
Withers suggests, after scrutinising the relevant financial papers, that officers believe expanding the cemetery will bring in considerable revenue. But she can only see what will be lost.
The farm is Bristol’s only dormouse habitat and home to IUCN red-listed and rare species including fieldfares, skylarks and adders.
It’s also a valuable peri-urban food producer, with its vegetables and meat eaten “almost exclusively” by people from Bristol and north Somerset, many of whom walk to the farm to collect their goods.
Such low carbon, nature-friendly food production is so atypical in an industrialised society that it feels, says Withers, “like an act of rebellion”.
And it’s not just the farm that Withers is fighting for. She’s concerned the development will set a precedent that puts Bristol’s other 80 SNCI’s at risk.
The farm is hosting a unity event on August 16. All are welcome for the nature walk and talk, followed by refreshments
The legal route is now the only way Withers can see to make a stand, for the farm and the environment.
“Nature’s at an all-time critical point. This challenge will send a very clear message that Bristol takes its ecology and biodiversity seriously – we’re not just paying lip service,” Withers tells Bristol24/7.
“We know South Bristol crematorium is not a nature-rich site now and it will not be enhanced by becoming a graveyard.
“Yew Tree Farm has more biodiversity than almost anywhere else in the city. It’s too special and precious to lose. We need to fight hard for it or it could be coming to an SNCI near you, soon.
“No compromise is good enough – this plan needs to be quashed firmly, to send a message to officers that this administration is really serious about its commitments to nature recovery.”
Donate to the fundraiser via www.gofundme.com/f/save-yew-tree-farm-protect-nature-in-bristol
Find out more about the farm’s Yewnity event at www.facebook.com/events/s/yewnity-event-at-yew-tree-farm
Bristol City Council has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Main photo: Catherine Withers
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