Key Points
- · The Yates family, tenant farmers at Earls Farm in Harwood, Bolton, face eviction after over 300 years of farming the land.
- · Bolton Council plans to use the land for potential housing development, though details are confidential under mediation agreement.
- · The family has leased the farm on a rolling five-year basis, with long-standing ties to the land dating back to the Earl of Derby.
- · Eight acres were taken by the council in 2007 for Bolton St Catherine's Academy expansion without lease update.
- · A compensation agreement was reached in mediation but later withdrawn by the Yates family after council failed to pay.
- · Rowland Homes has proposed a plan for around 80 houses on adjacent land with mixed affordable housing.
- · The site lies within the Green Belt but is under consideration as Grey Belt in local planning to meet housing demands.
- · Public consultation for Bolton’s Local Plan focusing on housing and land use is ongoing.
- · The eviction reflects broader tensions between preserving local heritage and meeting urgent housing needs.
What Is the Situation at Earls Farm in Bolton?
The Yates family, who have farmed Earls Farm in Harwood, Bolton, for more than three centuries, are facing eviction by Bolton Council. David and Karen Yates received an eviction notice to vacate by February 24, 2025, as the council plans to repurpose the land for housing delivery, according to a detailed report by BBC North West. The family leased the land on a rolling five-year contract, originally under the Earl of Derby and later the council. The eviction follows a long, complicated dispute with Bolton Council, who have remained largely confidential on the matter due to a legal agreement with the family.
Why Are the Yates Family Being Evicted from This Historic Farm?
In 2007, Bolton Council appropriated eight acres of Earls Farm to expand Bolton St Catherine's Academy but did not issue an updated lease. The Yates family claim they were not directly engaged by the council and only received correspondence through legal representatives. In 2022 they received formal eviction notices. The family reached a compensation agreement via mediation in 2023 but withdrew after the council failed to provide initial payments. Karen Yates described the situation as “quite unbelievable” given their historic connection to the land.
What Impact Will the Eviction Have on the Yates Family?
The eviction affects not only the farm tenancy but also the family home and a large cattery business run by the Yateses. Karen and David Yates spoke to local media about the emotional and practical challenges, emphasising their desire to remain on the land despite council pressures. Their tenancy spans generations, and they voiced concern about losing their livelihood and farmstead that was established long before modern industrialisation of the area.
What Are the Council’s Plans for the Land?
Although Bolton Council has not publicly confirmed specific development plans, Rowland Homes has submitted proposals to build 80 homes on five acres adjacent to Earls Farm. The plan includes six clusters of residential properties with a mix of shared drives, footpaths, and green spaces to promote biodiversity. Affordable housing components are included though exact numbers remain unspecified. The farm site is in the Green Belt but considered by the council for Grey Belt status to accommodate housing needs, as reflected in the current public consultations on Bolton’s Local Plan.
How Is Bolton Addressing Housing Needs in the Region?
Bolton Council is working to meet targets set by the Greater Manchester "Places For Everyone" Plan, balancing housing demand with preservation of heritage and environment. The ongoing Local Plan consultation invites residents' views on housing, employment, and public service developments. Earls Farm and other land parcels are under review for their suitability to meet the borough’s growing population demands, indicating continued local debate about land use and development policies.
What Are Different Perspectives on the Eviction?
Journalistic investigations by The Mill suggest the eviction is a result of "misunderstandings, poor communication and bureaucratic ineptitude," juxtaposing the Yates family’s long legacy against council housing priorities. The Yateses have criticised the council’s approach as aggressive, while the council states they achieved a confidential mediated agreement. The story highlights a local struggle where historic farming heritage and urgent social housing needs collide, raising broader questions about land rights and community identity in Bolton.