A FAMILY near York has secured planning consent to create a business venture at their farmstead which will help to provide disabled people with jobs.

It allows the Sellers family to invest £300,000 at their farmstead in Shipton-by-Beningbrough to build a 6,900sq ft complex, including five workshop units and a micro-brewery. Between them, they could generate at least nine jobs, some of them for disabled people.

Planning consultant Carter Jonas secured the consent on behalf of Martin Sellers, whose daughter Ruth, 19, has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and epilepsy, which means she has to use a wheelchair. Work will begin on Monday, June 20, and it is hoped will be completed in time for an October opening of the Treboom Brewery.

Martin is working to attract businesses to the units which could provide employment or training opportunities for local young disabled people, like Ruth, once they finish their formal education. The workshops will range in size from 280 sq ft to 570sq ft.

The micro-brewery will be run by scientific researcher John Lewis and Jane Blackman. They are investing £100,000 in the project, with the backing of Yorkshire Forward’s Rural Development Programme for England.

They are hoping to create two full-time jobs and double that once the brewery builds up to its full capacity of 20 barrels per week.

Martin and his wife intend to move into a converted barn next door, and have planning consent to use their home as dedicated living space for Ruth and two other disabled youngsters who can take advantage of employment offered by firms using the workshops.

Martin said: “We have already had interest from a number of organisations and individuals for the business units and plans are in place for the micro-brewery to begin operation straight away.

“We’re thrilled the team at Carter Jonas was able to secure planning permission for this development, as it’s a project that's close to our hearts and will provide real opportunities for Ruth and others like her.”

The family has also retained and converted the other remaining traditional buildings providing accommodation available for rent on the open market as part of the diversification of their farm business.