A Herefordshire company has been told it can keep trading from its premises – even though this was supposed to be for agricultural use only.

Simon Tinson of Wall Hills Farm west of Ledbury had sought confirmation that the use by his building firm of Pichells Place, a building at the farm, would not be subject to enforcement action.

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The building was converted 30 years ago into a family home on condition this was only occupied by those engaged in farming.

But Clover Conservatories and Construction “has operated from Pichells Place continuously” since 2005, making this immune from enforcement, according to Mr Timson’s application which was accompanied by a sworn statement to that effect.

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Herefordshire Council planning officer Joshua Evans has now accepted this, concluding that with no evidence to the contrary having been put forward, on the balance of probabilities the agricultural occupancy condition had indeed been breached for over ten years.

The council therefore “has no option but to issue a certificate of lawfulness”, he said.

Clover continues to operate from the Pichells Place address, offering a range of domestic services.