Justin’s plans for Ambridge’s future seem set to cause serious division.

Radio Times: Tony won’t be easily won over; Kirsty regrets being easily impressed

Characters: Helen, Henry, Justin, Kirsty, Pat, Tony

• Justin is having tea at Bridge Farm with Tony and Pat. He clearly wants to discuss something. Ominously he asks them to keep their chat confidential. Pat’s not so sure but they proceed anyway. The bottom line is that Justin wishes to build some affordable housing in Ambridge in order to encourage young families to stay in the village. He envisions a discrete development of some 18 or so houses, with a good proportion being “affordable.” His investigations lead him to believe that the ideal site is on land on the south of Bridge Farm. The resulting silence is “deafening.”
• Helen, Kirsty and the children are off on a picnic. Kirsty sends Henry off bird-spotting and tells Helen of the discussions between Brian and Harrison at The Bull yesterday. Helen is aghast at the thought of intensive pig rearing but matters are made worse when Kirsty recounts her conversation with a drunken Alice. There is to be a BL board meeting this afternoon and the scheme is almost certain to be approved. Helen just can’t believe it and recalls the protests raised by the dairy development.
• Tony has made his mind up. The answer is “no!” The land is now wonderfully “rich and loamy” after many years of care and he’s not prepared to see it built on. Justin explains that he would only need 31/2 acres by the lane, not all of the field. Pat asks what the land may be worth. Justin shocks them both with a figure in the region of a million pounds if the land had planning permission. It would secure the family’s future and that of the farm. Pat wants to wait for Tom’s return in order to consider the offer fully. Justin agrees but insists on confidentiality for the time being.
• Kirsty is thoroughly annoyed that BL offered to fund forestry care for the Millenium Wood, clearly the start of a public relations campaign. Helen is up in arms at the prospect of keeping such intelligent animals cooped up for all of their time on earth and pledges Kirsty her support. As Lynda is away, Kirsty proposes meeting with Neil to discuss the matter before the next Parish Council meeting.
• Pat suggests a walk down to the field but Tony is in no mood to change his mind. Farming land is not development land. Helen returns and having told Henry to go upstairs and change, spills the beans about what Kirsty has heard. Hearing that there is a BL board meeting in progress to discuss the matter, Tony is incandescent. Helen leaves to change Jack. Suddenly the thought of a walk with Pat down to the field meets with Tony’s approval.
• As they reach the site of the proposed development, Tony spots some wild flowers growing in the hedgerow and is even more convinced that covering it in concrete is not the way to go. Pat has other thoughts. Their time is past but Tom and Helen could surely work wonders with an unexpected windfall. She sees the chance for them to retire and perhaps fulfil their dream to travel. Tony’s not so sure now, he’s happy to stay on his land with his family. In addition, would Justin be satisfied with just 18 homes? And what about Berrow Farm? Justin seems to be on an Ambridge takeover bid.