Moss End Garden Village Very Much Business as Usual Following a disappointing outcome at the Planning Meeting last night Moss End Garden Village are keen to stress that it is business as usual. The core Garden Centre business and associated businesses are totally unaffected by this ruling as they operate under an agreement dating back to 1994 and so last nights decision has no impact whatsoever on these businesses. The planning meeting was very encouraging despite the vote of 6 to 4 to refuse the application. Four of the committee members spoke with amazing passion in support of the application and this has been very comforting to those whose businesses and livelihoods are affected in this matter. One lady Councilor spoke of delivering on the BFBC strap line ‘The Borough of Opportunity’. She stated that Moss End Farm, which was built in the 1950’s by a wealthy industrialist as a ‘Model Farm’ is unique in the Borough and every effort should be made to preserve it for future generations. She raised an interesting point following on another Borough strap line ‘Renew, Reuse, Recycle’. These are redundant farm buildings and allowing them to stand empty as a monument to the days when Britain actively encouraged commerce was a tragic reflection on our planning laws. It was pointed out that no new buildings have been constructed on the site, simply that existing buildings have been reused. In another heartfelt speech one of the members argued that the nation is in a desperate economic position and the planning committee must be flexible enough to help and encourage small businesses in these unprecedented times. Concerns were raised about how the site will deteriorate if it is too heavily restricted and not allowed to develop with the ever changing market place. The potential deterioration of the site will have a far greater negative impact on the Green Belt then a thriving site would have especially if they were able to incorporate‘eco’ diversity into the plan. The businesses on the site are very heartened by the planning committee’s willingness to consider this matter further through the planning process. It was made clear early in the meeting that the committee could only consider the application in front of them and not individual elements of it. It was strongly suggested by the committee that several of the points in the application would have been treated favourably if they were not part of the application. The appeals procedure will be investigated and we remain very positive that the site will be allowed to flourish under a new agreement which will be addressed in the Spring. The site management are keen to continue dialogue with the council in order to reach an agreeable solution to the matter.