A rural Herefordshire business has been told to shut up shop after it fell foul of local planning rules.
Local Hire Services, which hires out machinery, tools and site equipment, had sought retrospective permission for two buildings it had put up to house them at its Lower Woodend site by Stoke Lacy near Bromyard.
Council officers had warned the firm that it had not gained permission for the buildings, and initially suggested they file a retrospective application to get them permitted.
RELATED NEWS:
- TV presenter Tiff Needell slams Herefordshire garage plan 'madness'
- Stoke Prior in Herefordshire seeks licence for village hall
- Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire plant hire firm grew without permission
But Emma Willis’ application was refused last November, with planning officer Gemma Webster ruling the work at the site constituted “unsustainable development that would have an adverse impact on nearby neighbours”.
Now the council has issued the firm with an enforcement notice requiring it to “cease the use of the land for plant hire business purposes” within six months of the start of next month, and to remove the contested buildings within nine months.
What are your thoughts?
You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here.
Letters should not exceed 250 words and local issues take precedence.
The council said that their use had not continued for more than ten years, nor had the buildings been completed more than fours years ago – grounds which would have exempted the firm from enforcement.
Local Hire Services now has a month in which to appeal against the notice before it takes effect.
Ms Willis declined to comment on the case.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel