Despite resistance and opposition, Newham Council Cabinet has voted to close Newham City Farm, one of London’s oldest city farms.

Councillor James Asser, Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Sustainable Transport, made the case for closing the farm at a meeting on 7 September.

He said it had not been ‘delivering on the ideals and principles that saw it set up in the 1970s for some considerable time’, and expressed regret that the running and maintenance of the farm had not been resolved sooner.

In November 2020, due to pandemic regulations, Newham City Farm was closed, and Newham’s Animal Welfare Service commissioned the City of London Corporation’s Animal Health and Welfare Services to carry out an independent inspection of the farm’s facilities as well as the welfare of the animals.

It was found a considerable number of failings in relation to how the farm was being operated required immediate response from the Council. The report also identified issues relating to the condition of some of the animals, and the general standards of husbandry at the farm.

The Cabinet has assured Newham residents that the farm area will remain a ‘publicly accessible green space for use by the local community’ and welcome any ideas and suggestions from residents. The regeneration of the area is to be included in the Beckton Parks Masterplan, an initiative looking to the future of Beckton’s green spaces.

However, not everyone is pleased. On the same day that the Council decided to close the farm, peaceful demonstrators, organised by the ‘Save Newham City Farm’ campaign, met outside East Ham Town Hall to fight against the farm’s proposed closure. At the same time, an online petition calling for the council to rethink its decision received over 5,500 signatures.

Marielle Fidele, a resident who lives opposite the farm, was one of those involved in the campaign. She said: “ We welcome the opportunity to work with the council to deliver an alternative, the Beckton Parks Plan is regarded by the council as an opportunity to create something beautiful, but we already had that with the Farm. It does need regeneration, but after years of lack of investment and attention that responsibility lies with the council.”

She added: “Studies show the mental health benefits of being around animals, and being out in the fresh air, especially for children and those with special educational needs. A farm is one of the best places to do that.

An August 2020 report looking into London’s ‘leafiest’ boroughs, found Tower Hamlets, Newham and Barking and Dagenham bottom with less than 13 per cent tree coverage.

Marielle added: “On paper the Beckton Parks Plan may look like a good idea, but it has not been made clear where the funding will come from. ”

Lisa Taylor, an academic in Early Childhood and Education Studies and Newham resident, believes the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of green spaces, especially for children.

“There is a substantial body of research indicating that inner-city children must engage with nature and animals during their development. The benefits include an improvement in mental health and well-being, supporting children with additional needs, play and memory therapy, and allows children to construct their view of nature and the world around them.”

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