WORCESTERSHIRE County Council's planning chair will not stand in May’s elections – in part to focus on introducing children to the wonders of farming.

Councillor Rob Adams runs two farms on the Spetchley estate as well as serving on Wychavon District and the county councils.

The Upton Snodsbury representative since 2005, Cllr Adams has fronted the county’s Planning & Regulatory Committee for the past eight years but having moved into his 70s wants to dedicate more time to his family and the next generation.

“I still farm 500 acres on the Spetchley estate,” he said.

“With that, the district council, the county council and getting older, I would like a bit more time to myself.

“It is a higher-level stewardship on the farms and we have had a lot of visitors to the farm to see what we try to do for the environment with hedge and tree planting.

“We want to try to put a bit more time into getting kids to see the farms, we have a trailer made for disabled children, that would be nice when Covid allows.

“We haven’t been able to do much in terms of sharing the farm with kids in this past 12 months. It is nice to see children light up when you show them a new-born lamb or foal.

“It is a nice break from the political scene and our little bit towards sharing with the harder-to-reach groups.

“With the various committees I seem to be on the go al the time so a bit more time to ourselves would be good.

“I am over 70 now and we haven’t been on a holiday to speak of for 10 years or more.”

In this eight years as chair, Cllr Adams has overseen many major applications such as Parkway Station, Southern Link Road improvements including Carrington Bridge, the raising of New Road, Worcester to alleviate flooding and the Pinvin crossroads improvements.

“I have really enjoyed it and will miss chairing the planning committee, there’s no two ways about that,” he added.

“I have been involved in a lot of major projects throughout the county and there are a lot more coming forward now and that’s good.

“Worcestershire is developing and we need people to want to come here and invest in the county, and be a part of it.”

Councillor Linda Robinson, who currently represents Upton Snodsbury on Wychavon District Council, has been chosen by Conservative members to fight the seat in May’s election.

Cllr Adams will continue to represent Norton and Whittington on Wychavon District Council.