White Farm was, until about 5 years ago, an equestrian centre with ponies and horses available for hire to ride. Since becoming vacant the Council has explored a number of options including redevelopment for housing and a petting farm for children.
White Farm Outbuildings
The preferred option has always seemed to be housing for private sale despite the difficulties associated in converting a Victorian Model Farm consisting of number of listed buildings into any kind of acceptable development. The access road - Slade's Lane, is a narrow rural track unsuitable for anything larger than a transit type van which precludes many possible options.
Slade's Lane
Therefore the property has been surrounded by a secure fence, large gates and a few intimidating signs and over the past few years has been allowed to slowly decay.
Despite easy pedestrian access from both St Marks car park and the car park on Slade's Farm Estate the Council seems to feel that the conversion of the derelict Farm to a viable 'City Farm' is unrealistic with the current access via Slade's Lane. Local residents, however, are rather more keen on some kind of family friendly attraction in keeping with the rural feel of the Conservation Area rather than yet more private housing in an already saturated market.
It does seem that there is a demand for a sympathetic public use of the site, what is missing is the will and imagination to do anything other than realise easy money on sale for private dwelling.
The original intent of the Talbot Sisters would seem to be better satisfied by the restoration of the site to its original Victorian state as a model farm museum with a tenant/caretaker/curator living on site and running the place as an educational facility to be enjoyed by all. Perhaps it is worth looking at the possibility of creating a Field Centre on site with a display showcasing the history of the Village and the philanthropy of the founders? Would such a facility be eligible for a grant from the Talbot Village Trust?
As things currently stand the Farm is being allowed to decay and with every year that passes the cost of restoration will increase until demolition is the only alternative.
This should not be allowed to happen.
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