A DERELICT barn surrounded by overgrown weeds is all that exists of Oxford's much-heralded city farm. It's become the victim of a crisis embroiling a community.

Untouched by builders for more than a year, the failing farm project has been all but abandoned by Oxford City Council.

The 2.5-acre city farm in Windale Avenue, Blackbird Leys, complete with live animals and vegetation, should have been a focal point for the estate's children. But it will cost £40,000 to realise that dream - money the council has not handed over. A private source, who did not want to be named, revealed: "The council is trying to keep the lid on it to save its embarrassment. If they had the money available it would have been up and running by now."

The farm is owned by the council and the last time it was worked on was in 1997.

Blackbird Leys Parish Council chairman Molly Florey said: "The city farm does not look as though it is going to come. We are very cross because a lot of the amenities have been lost.

"What we were hoping to have was a small golf course and the all-weather pitches, plus a village green with cricket to give Blackbird Leys a village atmosphere. "We were told there would be finalisation, but it never came off because there were more houses built."

It is a grand vision that has never materialised. When original plans were passed to build more than 1,000 new homes on the new estate, it was hoped about 50 acres of public land would encompass the farm, sports fields and village greens.

But the council has sold off the majority of that land and provided few leisure facilities. Instead it has built extra houses and sold part to Oxford United for £1m - £100,000 of which has already been paid - to develop its new stadium.

All that remains is an area of untouched parkland which, until recently, was a popular site for dumping soil. Even promises of a pub on the new estate look set to be reneged on, according to sources close to the project, as the need for housing - and revenue - hots up.

Cash is at the root of the crisis. Residents are entitled to demand why there is no money for the planned amenities almost a decade after the plans were first discussed.

Farm committee member Liz Helliwell said: "We really need help because I can see us going under very quickly. We need money. Without money we cannot do anything.

"The barn is half done - we have got no glass in the doors and no interior. We have not had any electrical equipment. The land needs to be levelled." Colleague Mary Hedderwick added: "They have not given enough to get the thing sorted. We asked for a lot more money at a time when local authorities are very strained and being cut back themselves.

"One of the things that has been rumoured is that there was a possibility that people wanted to put a general shop there for the estate."

A confidential report by John Arnold, Oxford City Council's director of property and leisure, recommended that the council begin consulting local people about alternative uses for the site and barn. The report was agreed by the planning committee.

Committee chairman Maureen Christian said: "Blackbird Leys councillors were very much in favour of a city farm, as I was myself - it is a real amenity for children.

"It was a brilliant idea and it's a great pity that, like so many brilliant ideas, it failed to materialise."

Val Smith, councillor for Blackbird Leys, said: "Years ago, when we first hit on the idea of having a city farm, the deal was that the city council would put in the land but didn't have the kind of money needed to fund it, so the farm committee would have to find that."

She said the committee made several unsuccessful bids for National Lottery cash and, since the money had never been found, it looked as if the project would be abandoned.

"The city council tried to help and gave grants for the barn but before they can really start they need money to cover staffing costs and they haven't been successful with the Lottery bids," she added.

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