An extension to the Poppleton Garden Centre on Northfield Lane (next to the A59) is set to be approved at a planning committee meeting taking place on Thursday. Council officials are recommending approval although the proposal would have to be referred to the Secretary of State for endorsement as it lies within the Green belt.

Agents for the owners have put forward special circumstances which they feel justify the development. These include, “use of some of the land to grow plants for the garden centre, reduced areas of hard standing, increase in employment, rationalisation of buildings, public access to the plant nursery for training and apprenticeships, and absence of harm to the greenbelt”.

There would be an increase of 50 additional staff while retail space would increase by 1553 sq m.
Council officers conclude, “the proposed extensions by virtue of the relatively limited expansion of an existing facility in the greenbelt is not considered to have undue impact on the openness of the greenbelt. The proposed extensions are in keeping with the design of the existing glasshouses. The proposed is not considered to result in a significant increase in traffic to the site. The proposed extension to the garden centre by virtue of the goods sold is not considered to result in a significant impact to the retail ability of the city and district centres.
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The same meeting is being recommended to refuse a planning application which would have seen a bungalow at Brackenhill replaced with a 2 storey house. Brackenhill lies at the north end of Askham Lane, to the west of the A1237 outer ring road. Council officials claim that the increase in size of dwelling would be an inappropriate development in the Green Belt