Community treasure Freightliners Farm will thrive under Islington Council's decision to grant the charity a 50-year peppercorn lease.
Councillors gave the lease the green light at last week’s Executive meeting (June 18), which will help the farm’s management team develop, maintain and sustain the property.
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle on Sheringham Road, N7, Freightliners Farm delivers a range of activities to engage with the local community, schools and volunteer groups.
The farm, which was founded in 1973, attracts about 45,000 visitors and 200 schools each year.
Freightliners Farm manager Liz McAllister said: “I am completely and utterly committed to community farms and believe in what they provide to city areas.
“This decision will mean a lot to us, especially in a financial sense.
“It will give us security which means we will be in a much better position to secure external funding and continue to develop the space.”
Creatures great and small – including chickens, ducks, geese, goats, sheep and turkeys – call Freightliners Farm home.
The farm provides an extensive educational programme, including accredited courses, and offers volunteer and work experience placements.
Cllr Ruth Polling, Executive Member for Leisure and Equalities, said:
“Freightliners Farm is a huge asset to the community.
"That's why the Council is now offering this lease. We want to do all we can to help community groups like Freightliners serve the area - especially in the recession when they might otherwise struggle to find funding.
"This will give Freightliners the security they need to plan ahead so that future generations can enjoy the farm too."
Freightliners Farm relocated to its current, council-owned site in 1978.
Page Last Updated: 22 June 2009