'Cherished' local shops remain as plans refused

Councillors refused the plans and said they would have meant losing two "cherished independent businesses"

Two "cherished" local businesses have been saved from closure after a planning application threatening their existence was refused.

East Hampshire District Council's planning committee voted to reject a plan that would have seen the demolition of two shops in Peterfield's town centre.

A florist and part of a Turkish restaurant on Bakery Lane – described as a mini-version of the famous Lanes in Brighton – will not be replaced by a single-storey retail unit.

There was local support for the existing shops with 124 written objections.

Bakery Lane was highlighted as an important footway to the Chapel Street and Lavant Street shopping area

The plans sought to replace Bizaar, the function room connected to the Fez Restaurant, and The Blacksmith's Daughter florist with a single shop.

If approved, both businesses would have closed.

It was the third planning application for the site, after the previous two were refused last year.

A council officer had recommended the approval of the application, which included a 21m by 4.8m-wide building for a single retailer.

The Blacksmith's Daughter owner Kristina Cousen told councillors: "I object to being called a shack when I have a celebrity client list, and people love the way it is presented and I am very, very busy."

Objecting to the planning application, councillor David Podger said: "The survival of two of Petersfield's most cherished independent businesses is clearly a matter of public interest."

One objection said: "It is essential to support these thriving traders at a time of the homogenisation of our high streets and increasing rental and rates costs."

Councillors refused the new plans because the building would "fail to enhance the Bakery Lane area".

After the meeting Mr Podger said: "It was a contentious issue. We knew it was going to be a tough fight."

The committee voted six to three to refuse the plans.