Petition over Paternoster Farm eviction triggers council debate on future of county farm policy

The petition was launched by tenants of Paternoster Farm, near Hundleton, who are facing eviction at the end of their 10-year tenancy. The farm is home to a Good Food Guide-accredited restaurant, run by former solicitor Michelle Evans, which has earned national acclaim for its seasonal set menu and community-focused ethos.

The restaurant, located in the farm’s old milking shed, has featured in the Good Food Guide for the past three years and holds a 4.5-star rating on Tripadvisor. It was recently described by the Sunday Times as “a rural gem reinventing Welsh dining.” Dishes are crafted from ingredients grown on the farm or sourced from local producers, with a £58 set menu of sharing plates that reflect the seasons.

Michelle Evans, who runs the restaurant, said: “It is bittersweet that the week we are reviewed by the Sunday Times, we share with you the news that we will be closing the restaurant later this year.”

She confirmed that the family’s tenancy will not be renewed by Pembrokeshire County Council, and that the farm has already been offered to a new tenant. “This is not just our business, it’s our home too,” she added. “Opening a restaurant is hard enough, without having to start over again after only four years of trading.”

Supporters of the farm have been encouraged to write to the council’s County Farm Estates department, with Michelle highlighting the wider impact of the business on local suppliers, holiday lets and community life.

The petition, submitted by Leum Evans, calls for:

• A motion of no confidence in the county farm policy and estate department
• An independent review of farm policy
• A debate on the future of the county farm estate
• Exploration of how public procurement could link county farms to school meals

It argues that current policy fails to support farm diversification, community integration, or local food networks. “If county farm policy does not support and encourage our type of farming enterprise… then it cannot possibly be said to be fit for purpose,” the petition states.

In response, Pembrokeshire County Council defended its approach, stating that the farm estate exists to provide a pathway into farming for newcomers. A council spokesperson said: “Tenancies are not for life but are for a fixed term, to enable tenants to ‘move on’ to larger farm holdings. The 10-year lease entered into with Michelle and her family reflected this policy, and they have now been offered a tenancy at a larger council farm holding.”

Under council rules, any petition that receives 500 or more signatures qualifies for a full council debate. The Paternoster Farm petition closed with 1,822 signatures, ensuring it will be discussed at a future meeting.

The public debate is expected to reignite questions about the role of council-owned farms in supporting sustainable agriculture, local food systems, and community-led enterprise.

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