Andrew Dakin is a local Derbyshire farmer whose entire livelihood is at risk. As a third generation farmer at Kidsley Park Farm, Andrew’s family have farmed in the village of Smalley near Heanor for 94 years. Unfortunately Andrew had to take up the reigns of running the farm business after his father suffered a stroke in the 1980s.

Farming has been his main passion and love ever since he was a child. It is all he has ever known. The Derbyshire farmer has supported local communities and businesses in the area and has been a huge advocate for numerous local schools and community projects. However, the future of Kidsley Park Farm is now under threat from a solar development. 

Andrew said he had received correspondence from his landlord in May 2023 of his intention to sell the farm to a solar development. Andrew has been left fearing for his livelihood and the occupation he has known all his life. Over 100 acres of his farm would be used for the project. He said it would ‘destroy’ the farm and ‘harm’ the surrounding countryside. Kidsley Park Farm is home to a huge variety of wildlife - some red and amber listed, all at risk. 

Five miles of public trails and footpaths run through the farm, connecting villages and communities together. Andrew has helped organised a campaign and petition which has rallied support to save the farm’s existence and to save his livelihood. He has received regional and national attention in the process. Andrew said Jeremy Clarkson and Kaleb Cooper have supported the campaign’s Facebook page. The situation has left him devastated. He has had many sleepless nights and continues to fear about the future of his farm. But the Derbyshire farm has said he remains upbeat and resilient about the future. He will never give up fighting to keep the farm in existence. He will fight until the very end. We hope you enjoy listening to Andrew Dakin’s story.

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