Archive - Thursday, 24 February 2005


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No homes on antiques centre site

THE owners of a Cotswold antiques business hit by a declining tourist trade have been refused planning permission to convert their village base into two homes.

Cotswold District Council has ruled that Cottage Farm Antiques in Aston-sub-Edge should continue to be commercial premises.

Head of planning Tony Jones said: "Insufficient information has been provided to show that the existing uses are no longer economically viable or that it is not practical or viable to convert the buildings to an alternative employment use or for holiday accommodation or uses beneficial to the community.

"The proposed scheme would therefore result in the loss of an employment site for which there is no formal justification."

Keith Summers, agent for the owners Anthony and Elizabeth Willmore, said that the site only employed two people and would be ideal accommodation for disabled people. He added that running it as a business had become increasingly difficult.

"We are advised by the owners of the business that over the past 12 to 18 months there has been a substantial reduction in trade, not only local customers but also overseas visitors, particularly from America, who have not visited as regularly over the past three years following the September 11 terrorist attack. It is due to this severe downturn in business that the business has become unviable in its present form to the point where the owners have sought to sell the whole property inclusive of outbuildings.

"The owners have reported that they actively sought to establish if there would be an interest in the sale of the business as existing - unfortunately they have been advised that because of the location of the property, in the middle of the countryside, it will be difficult for commercial use relying on the employment of staff because it's difficult to attract staff to such a location."

Mr Summer added that he could not confirm whether Mr and Mrs Willmore would appeal against the council's decision.