ePetition details

Save SweetTree Farm

We the undersigned petition the council to We want Barnet Council to allow Sweet Tree Farming For All to continue operating from SweetTree Fields Farm. Contrary to planning officers’ advice, our application seeking planning permission for the retention of the SweetTree Fields Farm site for care farming was regrettably rejected by members of Hendon Area Planning Committee on Wednesday 13th June 2018. The future of our clients and the service we provide to so many local organisations, now hangs in the balance.

Having been in agricultural use for approximately 40 years, SweetTree Fields Farm was established as a care farm in 2013 and is currently run by our local not-for-profit organisation, SweetTree Farming For All. Our Farm provides therapeutic activities that make a real difference to people who have learning disabilities, acquired brain injuries, autism, mental health needs or dementia. Our motto is “Cultivating Confidence” and our aim is to build self-esteem and self-worth for all our clients, helping people to achieve things they didn’t believe were possible.

The therapeutic benefits of working and learning in the great outdoors have been widely recognised for many years. Supported by staff, volunteers, social services, charities and other organisations, our Farm has helped people who are often socially excluded to become confident and happy individuals. SweetTree Farming For All has been an enormous success – not only improving the lives of service users, but also benefiting their families too.

SweetTree Fields Farm is a working farm, not a care facility. All farm activities are meaningful for participants because they are delivered in a working environment, where people are encouraged to work together, developing physical and decision-making skills. SweetTree Farming For All is a transitional service, which offers tailored activities for participants to develop and practice the life skills they need to become active members of their local community. Having spent time on the farm developing their skills and gaining confidence, many participants move on to independent living, further education or volunteering in the local Borough.

With your support, SweetTree Farming For All would like to secure permission to continue using the Farm – providing a much needed facility, at a time when the number of services available to people with disabilities is decreasing.

Our Farm is an asset to the Barnet community and is relied upon as the only local outdoor service that can cater for children and adults with complex needs. Please support our petition and help us secure permission to continue using SweetTree Fields Farm for care farming.


Thank you.

This ePetition ran from 19/10/2018 to 30/11/2018 and has now finished.

387 people signed this ePetition.