HARE HATCH businesses owners have submitted their renovation plans to the council in a “last throw of the dice” to save their company.
Rob Scott, owner of Hare Hatch Sheeplands, said that his application to remodel the site is now live on the borough council’s website, and open to comments from residents.
The plans include changing the business from a plant nursery to garden centre.
This would mean they could then “compete on a level playing field” with Dobbies and The Berkshire Gardener on the Bath Road, said Mr Scott.
He estimates that renovations will cost around £5 million, and will modernise the site.
Mr Scott said that the plans are a “whole site solution” to keeping the business alive, and believes it to be a commercially viable and sustainable plan.
The plans include the current plant nursery being knocked down and replaced with a modern building with an outdoor display area.
The farm shop would remain, and the cafe relocated to a different section of the building.
Outside, a play area would replace existing glass houses, backing onto a field for recreational use.
Plans also include planting a woodland at the north of the site, alongside the Bath Road. This would mostly consist of purple-flowering Paulownia trees, which research has shown can capture 10 times more carbon than some other tree species.
Mr Scott said that the scheme meets green belt requirements, and would see a 564% increase in hedgerow biodiversity.
It will also decrease floorspace by 58%, allowing more room for green areas.
In November last year, the duo ran a public consultation on the plans. These are still available to view at the site.
The three-day event showcased the visual plans in the current cafe, with questionnaires for visitors to complete.
“We have addressed any concerns raised from this,” Mr Scott said. “There has been overwhelming public support, and we have shown in the past that the public want this.
“Our public consultation presentation is still on view at Hare Hatch Sheeplands and I would be delighted to meet with Wokingham Today readers to answer any questions and discuss the plans in more detail.”
Mr Scott said that ward councillor and council leader, Cllr John Halsall responded to the November consultation and wished Hare Hatch Sheeplands luck with the scheme.
Now, residents can have their say on the borough council’s planning portal.
The consultation ends on Tuesday, February 1.
To view and comment, visit: planning.wokingham.gov.uk and search for application 214108
