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A farm which has been a lifeline for people with special needs for more than 100 years looks set to close.
North Kent College has confirmed it will not be renewing its contract with Kent County Council (KCC) to run Princess Christian Farm in Hildenborough, putting its future in doubt.
The 115-acre farm in Riding Lane was originally founded by Queen Victoria's daughter, Princess Christian, in 1910 and passed into the hands of KCC's social services in 1984. But in 2009 the authority out-sourced the running of the farm to Hadlow College.
The working farm regularly caters for around 25 adults each day, most with autism, but some with physical disabilities.
They learn to care for the animals, which include pigs, sheep, ducks, chickens and even an emu, and they also learn about horticulture, growing shrubs, hanging baskets and bedding plants, many of which are sold in the farm shop.
When Hadlow College got into financial difficulties last year. It was rescued from administration by North Kent College, but today North Kent said: "The former Hadlow College operated a contract for Kent County Council to run adult day care facilities at Princess Christian’s Farm for a number of years.
"Now that the current arrangements are coming to an end, North Kent College (as the new owners of Hadlow College) have taken the difficult decision to concentrate our efforts on the provision of education rather than adult social care and so we will not be bidding to renew the current contract."
The news has come as a blow to parents, who say they have been told by the staff that the farm will close in September, although they have received no official notification that this is the case.
Andrew Dole from Maidstone has a 28-year-old son with autism, who lives in supported accommodation at Aspens in Pembury.
Mr Dole said: "My son's been attending Princess Christian Farm for the past seven years. He regards it as his job.
"He normally goes for three days a week - but just two during Covid.
"It gives him a purpose in life and he really looks forward to going."
He said: "It's going to be very difficult for him if it closes.
"He will take it personally and think it is in some way his fault.
"People with autism need a regular routine and this is going to stress him out."
Another young man from Tunbridge Wells, who suffers from autism and ADHD, has attended the farm for the past six years. He said he would be "shattered" if he couldn't continue to work with the animals.
He said: "I hear it's all about money. KCC and North Kent College should get together and sort this out."
An online petition has been set up to persuade KCC to keep the facility open.
It has already received more than 3,200 signatures.
Among those campaigning to keep it open are neighbours to the farm and parents of past students.
We now have a few comments from people, some of whom are happy to be named in publicity:
Celia Lawrence of News Ash Green said: "My son went to Princess Christian Farm when he was at Hadlow College learning about animal care."
She said: "He really enjoyed it. He has a placement elsewhere, but lots of his friends go there still and it is an amazing place.
"There are not many places in the whole of Kent that can offer experiences with animals for the learning disabled community once school/college has finished."
Trudi Giles of Tonbridge said: "I am so annoyed about this. My son went to Princess Christian Farm and the help and support he received was outstanding.
"He is now working full time but I'm convinced this is partly due to the support and encouragement he received here.
"I wish the people that made this decision had attended the open day and seen for themselves what an outstanding job the staff and pupils do.
Helena Horsman said: "I attended therecnt open day at the farm. This little place is amazing. The staff are so attentive, so informative.
"You can see that this is their passion not just a job."
Christine Smith said: "My son David attends the farm two days a week and has done for 22 years.
"He loves going to work, it gives him a purpose in life.
"The staff are brilliant and treat each student with respect."
"He has been given a great opportunity to show the animals at County shows and they have won prizes. This makes him feel really proud. It just seems unfair to take this away from them all."
Jennie (who didn't want to give her surname) from Tonbridge said: "I work in a SEN school and our students access Princess Christian farm as part of their work experience. It's a valuable resource for them and they not only learn so much from going there, but love it. Such a sad decision."
A KCC spokesperson said: “North Kent College has made the difficult decision to pull back from additional aspects that Hadlow College was previously involved with, many of which were no longer financially viable."
He said: "North Kent College will work closely with KCC officers to maintain the provision at Princess Christian Farm until the end of September, or until alternative provisions are found for each individual student.
"The needs of the people who use the farm remain our priority and so all possible future options for the provision are under consideration."
He said: "The cessation of the current provision will be staggered over the next few months and we will work to ensure all of the individuals receive support via KCC’s social care operational teams to find suitable provision elsewhere should this be necessary."
KCC confirmed it was looking to see if another provider could be found to contract services at the farm.
The online petition can be found here.
Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone
