QUAIL farmers told the Forest Journal that they are "elated" at being allowed to keep living on the land they own near Fordingbridge.

Sophia Fletcher and Nick Crowe have appealed over two applications one to keep a quail house at Sequoia Farm off Puddleslosh Lane and the other, to continue siting a mobile home there for an agricultural worker.

The pair have been fighting to stay on site for three years to establish their business C&F Gourmet Foods, producing rare meats, elephant garlic and mushrooms.

However the couple appealed against the notice, arguing that they needed to live on site to look after their livestock.But New Forest District Council planning officers took enforcement action against the couple after receiving complaints about their unauthorised habitation of agricultural land.

Planners turned down the quail house on the basis it “does not respect the character, identity and context of this area of open countryside”, claiming that the development "brings little economic benefit and this is significantly outweighed by the harm to the environment.”

But now now Government planning inspector Simon Hand over ruled the district council's decision and ruled in the couple's favour and now the pair are allowed to retain and live in the mobile home for three years and keep their quail house.

Ms Fletcher said: "A big thank you to everyone who supported us, to the local farming community in particular who have been so generous and encouraging. We are elated about the prospect of running this farm business as we intended.

"The battle over the last 18 months has made us stronger and has served to drive us forward to achieve our long term goals."

The plans for the farm business on the agricultural land caused a flurry of protests among residents.

The cases that an agricultural building was erected without planning permission along with two shipping containers are ongoing.

To comment on either appeal go to planningpor tal.gov.uk/planning/appeals or send three copies to the Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/10, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN.