Friends win six-month reprieve

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a closure-threatened Aberdeen rare breeds farm have been given six months to show it can be run as a business.

Councillors agreed yesterday to enter into a six-month transitional services agreement and licence with the Friends of Doonies to allow the charity to take over the running of Doonies Farm.

The local authority’s urgent business committee voted in favour of allowing the Friends to run the farm until its business plan and lease have been finalised and implemented.

Campaigner John Sleigh said he was delighted with the decision.

He added: “We are pleased we have now got something solid in place with the council. At this stage it is now possible to have some of our sponsors come out of the shadows.”

The business plan proposes the introduction of a new visitor centre to enhance the farm.

Mr Sleigh said: “We are confident of being able to cover our costs, and also confident of reducing costs.”