Future of farm is in jeopardy (From Barry And District News)

Future of farm is in jeopardy

BARRY'S young and vulnerable people could lose a vital lifeline if plans to improve the Amelia Trust Farm are denied.

The farm offers a chance for youths with problems at home or who have been excluded from school to experience achievement.

It has now built up to a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week operation and desperately needs another senior member of staff to live in.

The farm put in a planning application to build premises on the site in February 2001. The plans were amended to a bungalow, but were still denied.

At the moment, youth worker Ann Slater lives in a flat on the premises, but farm manager David John who works with children using the farm needs to be closer.

Living in Llantrisant, David is responsible for all the animals. He drives for more than 30 minutes to reach the farm when he is needed for lambing and calving.

The farm's director, the Rev John Stacey-Marks said: "For many, the Amelia Trust is a nice day out. For others it is a vital part of life. Some of the young people who visit here see this place as one of safety, and we don't want it put in jeopardy."

Assembly Member Jane Hutt, who is in support of the farm, has hit out at the council. She said: "It is difficult to believe one part of the Vale Council does not understand how important the work of the farm is to another part.

"The Vale, as a local education authority uses the farm to place some of its most challenging youngsters. Without it, these young people would have nowhere else to go. Without another senior member of staff on site, the farm will not be able to carry on providing the service that it does."

A Vale of Glamorgan council spokesman said: "The applicant has exercised his right of appeal and the plans will be heard before the end of May."