The Notcutts group is embroiled in a row with Surrey planners over new plans for the development it was once due to share with a Waitrose superstore on its former nursery site at Bagshot.

Notcutts had planned to occupy about half the new building with a garden centre but a year ago said it was pulling out of the scheme because it was no longer viable. Waitrose went ahead with its new store but the remaining space has remained vacant. 

Notcutts has since submitted an alternative application to create a pet store, café, outdoor clothing shop and another as yet unspecified store in the space.

The original application was approved on condition that Notcutts and Waitrose shared the site.

Surrey Heath Borough Council’s planning committee was due to vote on the new proposal earlier this week, but was told that Notcutts had taken the plan to appeal on the grounds that the council had taken too long to reach a decision.

The issue will now probably be decided early next year by an independent inspector, who will have to take into account this week’s resolution passed by the committee recording that it would have refused the application. The case officer had recommended refusal because the proposal contained no assessment of the impact the shops would have on existing traders in the village.