The owner of a farm used by children with special needs has expressed his dismay at the council’s decision to stop people visiting.

Barry Sweetbaum, who owns SweetTree Fields farm on Marsh Lane, said he did not understand why retrospective planning permission for the site had been refused – because he will still be able to keep animals on the farm.

In June, a planning committee turned down Mr Sweetbaum’s bid for the site to continue being used as a “care farm” to educate people with special needs and mental health issues.

But Mr Sweetbaum claims he has legal approval from the council to use the land for agricultural purposes, meaning little will change in terms of the site’s everyday use.

He said: “By refusing planning permission, all they did was stop the vulnerable and disabled people who use the farm from using it.

“I do not have to change the surface of the road or take away the buildings for farming use. I can have as many animals as I want.”

Rejecting Mr Sweetbaum’s bid, members of the Hendon area planning committee said the farm was an inappropriate development on the green belt, and upheld neighbours’ concerns over security and air quality.

Mr Sweetbaum added: “Not only would the disabled and vulnerable people we look after been better off if the permission had been granted, so would the neighbours.

“Under the terms of the agreement with the council, certain restrictions would have been imposed on the farm’s activities which now don’t exist.”

Judith Field said she would be disappointed if her 21-year-old son Jack, who has an autistic spectrum disorder, could no longer attend the farm.

Mrs Field, who lives in Salcombe Gardens, Mill Hill, said: “The farm has brought a new side of him out. He is learning all sorts of skills and making decisions.

“I consider the farm as unique in the area – there is nowhere else like that.

“Jack collects eggs and looks after chickens and ducks, and other animals as well. It is a big open space and a safe space.

“It is not just a place where children can go and pet the animals – they learn skills and achieve their potential.

“I would be extremely upset and disappointed on behalf of Jack if he were not able to go there.”

She added that the family had not been consulted on the planning application because they did not live nearby.

A council spokesman said: “This application was considered by the Hendon Area Planning Committee in June, which decided that the application should be refused.

“This was on the grounds that it would cause harm to the character and openness of green belt by way of the activities and buildings on the site and the construction of the site-wide road network, and around concerns about noise, dust, odour and security for the adjoining neighbours.

“As is the case with all applications, the applicant has the right to appeal the committee’s decision.”