Cow petting farm plans move after planning refusal

The business started when farmer Karl Lattion bought two highland cows, Megan and Elizabeth, to help his father cope with grief

The owners of a Highland cow petting farm said its afternoon tea and animal experience would be relocated after it was refused planning permission.

Highland Cow Cottage, in Church End, Arrington, was denied retrospective permission by South Cambridgeshire District Council's planning committee.

Councillors said they supported the business' aims but could not approve the application due to highway safety concerns.

Founder Karl Lattion said the decision was disappointing but not unexpected, and added: "We did expect it, I think... deep down, we were already looking for somewhere else."

"It literally started with putting the manure online and going, 'We've got some Highland cow manure, does anyone want it?' And people were like, 'Oh my God, you've got Highland cows. Can we come and see them?'" say owners Kelly (pictured with Alfie)

Mr Lattion and his fiancée, Kelly Game, started the farm to help his father cope with grief following the sudden death of his wife.

"He was really struggling mentally... we thought, why don't we try and get him a couple of Highland cows?" he said.

They began with two cows, Megan and Elizabeth, and initially sold manure online.

Interest grew, and visitors began asking to meet the animals.

The couple opened a tearoom, bought a local pub to provide parking, and gained millions of followers on TikTok, also welcoming celebrities and terminally ill guests from around the world.

But the success came with challenges.

"We had people reporting us weekly… animal welfare, trading standards, environmental health… even the Highland Cattle Society got contacted," Mr Lattion said.

"We worked closely with South Cambs. I won their entrepreneur runner-up of the year, and they invested money to help us out. But it just was the wrong place, I think."

Highland Cow Cottage, a small farm in south Cambridgeshire, opened a cow petting and afternoon tea business

The farmer predicted the business could have an "uphill battle" but hoped the opposite would happen.

"People think you make loads of money in farming, and you really don't," he continued.

"The only way to do it is to diversify your business."

At a planning committee meeting, Mr Lattion said the business welcomed 900 monthly visitors and supported local suppliers and accommodation providers.

Councillors raised concerns about visitors walking from The Hardwicke Arms to the site along narrow lanes.

Conservative councillor Heather Williams expressed sympathy and recognised the benefits of the business, but said safety concerns outweighed the merits.

She added that if she supported the application and something happened, she "could not live with that consequence".

The planning committee unanimously voted to reject the application.

The tea room has since closed, with a few private bookings remaining.

Despite the setback, Mr Lattion remained hopeful, adding they would look to relocate to a larger and better site over the coming months.

He said: "We're in talks with a couple of people. There are some very kind people out there who want to help."