There is a new future for Manor Farm in Girton as an artisan ice cream company has been given permission to make its ice cream at the site.

The Cambridge-based company, Jack’s Gelato, asked for permission to change the use of the farm to make its ice cream.

The farm had previously been let to the former deputy leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, Roger Hickford, who was found to have bullied council officers in order to get preferential treatment in relation to his tenancy of the council owned farm.

The site previously had permission to be used as a canine training centre, which was gained by Mr Hickford in 2019, although never put into use.

In planning documents submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council, it said the small artisan ice cream company had a “strong environmental focus”, and provided “high quality jobs” with salaries around 20 per cent higher than the industry average.

The plans said: “The proposal establishes an artisan ice cream manufacturer on a site that has previously had permission for a significantly more intensive canine training centre use, whilst also boosting biodiversity on site and creating a blueprint for a small, truly sustainable and community orientated business.

“It also creates much needed rural jobs in a sustainable location that is easily accessible via public transport.”

The solar panel array which was included in the original plans was removed by the company after planning officers said the application would be refused if the solar panels were not taken out of the application.

The planning approval requires the company to begin the changes within three years of the permission being issued.