A farmer said she is 'totally gutted' to be ordered off land she has taken care of for 12 years - as the landowners consider developing it for housing.

Tenant Pip Langdown, who runs a farm shop and keeps animals at Redlands Farm in Radipole, was given notice to vacate the land by the end of September.

She is still there and landowners Oddfellows have said that they are now looking to take action.

In July a meeting of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council overwhelmingly decided to keep Redlands Farm out of the Local Plan Review. Agent for the owner David Hebditch said at that meeting that vacant possession of the farm was being sought with a view to submitting a housing application.

Even though the site is not in the Local Plan, the area does not currently have the required five-year land supply, meaning applications can be considered.

Miss Langdown said she is ‘totally gutted’ to be told to leave, and fears it may mean she has to put some of her older animals down. The farm is home to cattle, pigs and rescued hens. She said she paid her rent as usual on October 1, and is fighting to stay at the farm until the land is actually sold or she can relocate to another farm.

A petition to save Redlands Farm has gathered more than 900 signatures.

Miss Langdown said: “This is a heritage farm dating back to the 1800s. People love it. We have wild animals here as well as farm animals, but my older farm animals won’t stand up to being moved long distances.

“I have never said I won’t move, but I just want them to give me time to find somewhere for my animals.”

Miss Langdown has farmed the land for 12 years. The Hand in Hand branch of the Oddfellows, based in Dorchester, said the initial lease ended 18 months ago and extensions have been granted twice since then.

A spokesman for the firm said: “Initially this was for six months, and most recently 12 months. At this time, the tenant was made fully aware that no further extension would be made. This decision stands and legal action will now be taken to obtain vacant possession of the land. The tenant is being advised of all intended actions.

“Moving forward we will be working alongside our Land Agents, Carter Jonas, to make decisions around the sale of the land, which may or may not include development. Nothing to date has been agreed.

“We are happy to participate in any public consultations by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and remain transparent about our conversations with the tenant, as well as our intentions for the land’s future occupation or sale.”