A HARE HATCH nursery will be selling Christmas trees this year, after what it describes a legal breakthrough.
Last week, we revealed that Sheeplands’ application to Wokingham Borough Council for permission to launch a festive market was refused before it was even looked at, something that the nursery’s owner Rob Scott said put the business in jeopardy.
However, he said this week that being able to sell Christmas trees was “the best Christmas present I have had for a long while.”
Mr Scott said that he contacted one of the country’s leading experts in planning matters.
“To my delight his answer was that after examining the facts he saw no reason why I could not sell items such as Christmas trees from the car park,” he said.
“He had no doubt that this was totally legal within the planning consents I already had,” he explained.
“That means we will generate enough income to give our customers a Christmas they will enjoy. Now plans are busily being put in place to hold a Christmas Food Festival over the weekend of December 2 and 3.”
The festival will include masterclasses by culinary experts, wine and beer tastings and activities for children.
“A week ago it looked like being a miserable Christmas because of the council’s bizarre decision not to even consider our planning application”, he said.
“Now I have a smile on my face because the legal advice I received means I can offer my loyal customers a happy Hare Hatch Christmas after all.”
