A FARMER, who is battling to stop the Mereham new town, may be forced to sell his land to the developer after the previous owner signed the deal. The 50-year-old father, who asked not to be named, bought 260 acres of farmland in Wilburton with a contract

A FARMER, who is battling to stop the Mereham new town, may be forced to sell his land to the developer after the previous owner signed the deal.

The 50-year-old father, who asked not to be named, bought 260 acres of farmland in Wilburton with a contract to sell it if Mereham gets the go-ahead.

But he is seeking legal advice to overturn the agreement because he claims the farm is his "dream".

"I want to keep the farm," he said. "This is something I have always wanted and it is a great investment to hand on to my 10-year-old son.

"I would be totally gutted if I lost it. I am prepared to fight Multiplex for it. I don't want to lose the dream."

The farmer signed a deal with the previous owner that, if Multiplex were to claim the farm, he would receive compensation.

Although he will not lose out he is adamant that he wants to protect the land from building and enjoy his new lifestyle.

He had been granted permission for a bungalow on the land and is continuing to allow fishermen to fish the lake.

"I am a builder by trade," he said, "and I have never been a farmer before. This is something I have always wanted. I have 150 cattle, and barley and sugar beet are grown on the land."

Recently, Multiplex sent archaeologists to excavate the land and they have found Roman treasures on the farm.

But the farmer refused to allow the 800 square metres dig to go-ahead until he had agreed a new settlement with the developer charging it thousands of pounds to enter his land.

"I am making life as difficult as possible for them," he admitted. "I knew it was a risk buying the farm. I took the risk.