Wiltshire Council Strategic planning committee have approved the application for the reordering and expansion of Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock, Wiltshire.

The approved plans include a covered retail space of 16,105 sq m and overall retail area of 22,572 sq m.  Within the development are 2 new restaurants, 2 coffee shops, an Ice cream Parlour, dedicated Pet and Aquatic areas, home interiors, 2,300 sq m regional Foodhall/Farmshop and 2000 sq m of concession space, plus extensive parking of over 650 spaces in the new main car park (including 35 assisted/special needs spaces), 5 coach parking bays and 10 customer collection spaces.

The plans provide for a level platform throughout the centre, allowing an easier access for those customers using wheelchairs, pushchairs and (potentially heavy) wheeled trolleys. In terms of the design concept, the buildings have been modelled on 'Tithe barns' with the use of good quality natural materials to complement the type of buildings found in the Cotswolds and within the village of Lacock.

Owner, Peter Self said: "Our proposals will continue to build on and enhance the horticultural shopping experience for the residents of Wiltshire, whilst securing all year round trade with diverse and high quality products.  The new regional Foodhall/Farmshop, will be run in house and support Wiltshire farmers and food producers where ever possible and will be offering unique foods from the South West.

"These are challenging and exciting times. The customer expectation is getting even greater, the competition is becoming price driven and moving online, and as a family business since 1894 we are endeavouring to be intuitive and build on the hard work built up by past generations of our family, to further develop our business, serve the local community, visitors to Wiltshire and to protect the employment of our current and future colleagues."

The Self family, Peter, Claire, Charlotte and Madeline would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported the application, we have been humbled by the level of support received.

Peter added; "a special mention must go to Andrew Aldridge our Architect of Macallan Penfold, Fleet Hampshire and Richard Cosker of RCC Planning Consultants, Devizes Wiltshire our Planning Consultant without who’s help we wouldn’t have designed and succeeded with gaining approval for, with what will hopefully become one of the country’s standout, independent destination garden centres."