A COUNCIL is to look "afresh" at a farmer's plea to be allowed to continue living at his home.

Len Webster landed in hot water with Hambleton District Council when it was discovered he was making more money offering bed and breakfast at his farmhouse than he was from farming.

He had won planning approval to build his house in open countryside on condition his main income was derived from agriculture.

The married father-of-two decided to take in guests after the farm - Chestnut Farm, near Stokesley - made a loss in 1995.

The council has threatened him with prosecution over a breach of the occupancy agreement, while Mr Webster vowed to take the council before the European Court of Human Rights, saying that forcing him to concentrate on loss making agriculture would be a breach of the Bill of Human Rights, that "no one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour".

Consultants called in by the council last year found there was no need for the agricultural occupancy condition to continue, while independent specialists brought in by Mr Webster say the farm is not a viable proposition.

Mr Webster has submitted this latest appraisal to the council with a new application to have the condition lifted.

Maurice Cann, head of the council's development control, said yesterday: "We will look at it afresh and make a judgement based on what is in front of us. We will not prejudge it on previous information.