Hare Hatch Sheeplands 'hammer blow' after inquiry adjourned
Supporters of Hare Hatch Sheeplands outside Wokingham Borough Council's offices.
Popular garden centre Hare Hatch Sheeplands suffered a 'hammer blow' after a planning inquiry to decide its future was adjourned.
The decision drew tears and protest from around 100 supporters who flooded Wokingham Borough Council’s offices to hear the destiny of Hare Hatch Sheeplands.
Staff and customers must wait until October after Government Planning Inspector Nicholas Freeman accepted the council’s plea to stall proceedings due to ongoing illness of a key witness.
The garden centre near Twyford in Berkshire was appealing against an enforcement notice issued by the council over its illegal expansion on to green belt land, which staff claim could force the business to close.
Speaking after the hearing, owner Rob Scott said: “The successful request for the inquiry to be adjourned is yet another hammer blow to Sheeplands.
“The council seems unable to understand the harm these delays are doing to our viability as a business, to our employees, suppliers, customers and all the other people who rely so much on our future success.”
Emotions ran high in the Shute End chamber with Mr Freeman pausing to rebuke hecklers muttering “disgraceful” from the balcony.
Edmund Robb of Prospect Law, representing the borough council, requested the adjournment because of the witness’ illness and to consider further changes at the London Road site that may require the enforcement notice to be amended.
Michael Rudd, representing Sheeplands, reasoned there would be sufficient expertise for the sick officer to be replaced for the inquiry, but the inspector sided with the council and shared his hope that a resolution can be made during the interlude.
After the adjournment supporter Terri Jones addressed the inspector, accusing the council of failing its own principles of pursuing an efficient and effective planning service.
