A £500m plan to create a university super-campus will leave a family's life in ruins, a farmer said yesterday.
Chris Hawkswell was born at Lime Tree Farm, Heslington, York, and has spent his life farming the 300 acres of land.
The 45-year-old had hoped to pass on the farm to his son and daughter, but said the dream could be over if plans to extend the University of York get the go-ahead.
The plans would see the Hawkswells' land cut from 300 acres, from which the family earn £20,000 a year, to 70 acres, which they say would mean they would have to leave.
Mr Hawskwell said: "If we have to move, it will be devastating.
"Our children have been brought up here. The development would ruin my life."
Last week, planners approved the university's outline blueprint after an eight-hour meeting. The proposal, which would accommodate 3,300 more students and create 4,500 jobs, now looks likely to go to public inquiry.
The university's pro-vice chancellor, Professor Janet Ford, said the development would bring huge benefits to the city and region.
"We will continue to work to allay outstanding concerns members of the local community may have," she said
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article