Farmer and family 'face eviction' by council

David and Karen Yates are facing eviction from Earls Farm in Bolton

A farmer whose family has worked on the same land for more than three generations says he and his wife face eviction by the local council later this month.

David Yates said he had been offered compensation by Bolton Council, which is understood to have plans to use the land at Earls Farm, in the Harwood area, for housing.

But he said he, and wife Karen, had pulled out of the legal agreement after the authority failed to pay the first compensation instalment.

The council said it was "unable to comment" on the confidential agreement between the two parties.

When the Yates family first moved into the farmhouse, and began farming in the area, the land was owned by the Earl of Derby.

Mr Yates said: "He was very friendly with my great-great-grandfather. They used to go shooting and he would stay here.

"He offered to let my great-great-grandfather buy the land, but for whatever reason he said no."

The family has been renting the farm on a rolling five-year tenancy ever since.

Earls Farm in Harwood, Bolton is owned by Bolton council

In 2007, the council took eight acres of the farm's land to accommodate the expansion of a nearby school, Bolton St Catherine's Academy.

The couple said they were not given a revised contract afterwards, and were served an eviction notice in 2022.

Mrs Yates said the council had not communicated directly with the couple, and all communication had been done through lawyers.

In 2023, following mediation, the Yates said they had agreed a compensation deal with the council.

However, they decided to pull out of the agreement after the council failed to pay the first instalment.

'Our livelihood'

Mr and Mrs Yates have been told they must leave the site by Monday 24 February, but are adamant they will not go.

Mrs Yates said: "We understand there's a need for housing, but we don't think it should be at the expense of farmers and their livelihood."

The council has not publicly confirmed it intends to use the land for housing, but it is understood to be one of the options being considered.

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: "We have reached a confidential agreement with Mr and Mrs Yates via mediation, and we are unable to comment further on the terms of that agreement."