THE owner of farmland which has been used to store more than 30 ‘old and scrap’ vehicles is appealing against an enforcement notice ordering their removal.

Neighbours of Doward Farm, Whitchurch, claim the site in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has become a “blot” on a “scenic valley”, just 200 yards from the “King Arthur’s Caves” visitor attraction.

But owner Mark Dew, of the Malt Shovel Inn in Ruardean, says his collection amassed over 30 years, including 90-year-old vintage motors and five Jaguar classic cars, is being stored in barns and around the farm with a view to opening a motoring museum.

He claims the vehicles stored at the site for 20 years have appeared on TV show Classic Car Rescue. He also says he is a member of the MG Owners’ Club and his aim is to “preserve motoring heritage”.

While “some cars, particularly those stored outside, have rusted”, his appeal says they are “used to supply parts when repairing and restoring other cars”.

Herefordshire County Council passed an enforcement notice last year ordering the removal of vehicles from land around the farm buildings, which is overlooked by the Upper Wye Gorge Site of Special Scientific Interest, the Wye Valley Woodlands Special Area of Conservation, and several Wildlife Trust sites popular with walkers.

Wye Valley AONB manager Andre Blake, in his submission to the appeal, said: “The private collection of random scrap and curious cars is visible in the open countryside and negatively affects the landscape character of undulating pasture, woodland, occasional dwellings and dramatic hills.

“The use of the site for the storage of scrap or old cars does not contribute to the conservation or enhancement of the natural and scenic beauty of the Wye Valley AONB, nor the historic environment.”

While having no issue with cars being stored inside the barns, they should be removed from around the farm buildings, he added.

Richard Cleare, who lives near the farm, said: “There has been no effort to protect or refurbish these vehicles, so they cannot be considered in any way a prized collection. The vehicles have just been left to rot in full view of habitation and visiting walkers.

“To allow this blot on this scenic valley would make a mockery of protected planning policies.”

Fellow resident Simon Marshall added: “The numerous scrap vehicles are an eyesore and have increased in number year after year.”

Adam Lane, whose rear lawn overlooks the land, said the storage of “decrepit unused vehicles” spoiled an attractive landscape, while Whitchurch and Ganarew Parish Council are also backing the enforcement action.

Mr Dew’s appeal claims that any change of use “has no perceivable impact” upon the landscape or neighbouring amenities, and the land is not “readily visible” from a public viewpoint.

Cars in his collection include “a Sinclair C5 micro car, a 1926 Bull Nosed Morris and a 1924 Essex”.

Some vehicles were acquired from the Beaulieu Motor Museum, and the British and Yorkshire motor museums, says the appeal, while he also owns an SS 2.5 Jaguar, three E-type Jags, a mark 2 Jag, an original Costello and a Jowett Bradford.

As the cars have been onsite for more than ten years, the change of use should be permitted, claims Mr Dew. A planning inspector is currently considering the appeal.