Conservative Parliamentarian for Gainsborough, Sir Edward Leigh MP, has written to the University of Lincoln again over their treatment of the agricultural college at Riseholme in his constituency.

“The bottom line is that the University is not allowing the College to use the farm at Riseholme, they are forcing the College to leave by 2020 and they are putting housing on the site which the locals don’t want,” the MP of over thirty years’ experience in the Commons told the press. “What Lincolnshire wants and what Lincolnshire farmers want is a first-class continuing agricultural college with a farm.”

Responding to a letter from University deputy vice chancellor Prof Scott Davidson, the MP “welcomed” the professor’s statement that Lincoln was continuing to provide education at Riseholme. “But the University publicly stated last year that Riseholme is surplus to the University’s requirement and is to be sold,” the MP pointed out. “So continuing, yes, but only up to a point.”

“As a Lincolnshire MP, I believe we can be justly proud of the University of Lincoln’s place in our county, our region, and our country,” Sir Edward continued. “But the University’s treatment of the Riseholme situation has not been in Lincolnshire’s best interests.”

As Riseholme College begins work on a campus at the Lincolnshire Showground to replace the one they’re losing at Riseholme, Sir Edward will meet with University officials to try and find a more suitable solution.