AN Alresford lavender business has won permission to expand after a year-long tussle with planners.

Winchester City Council officers have finally agreed to allow Long Barn to diversify at its base on Bishop’s Sutton Road.

Last year after opposition from neighbours, Long Barn was refused permission by the planning committee which threatened its long-term future.

Now the business is celebrating a u-turn by the council to grant permission to develop its retail plant nursery, the serving of refreshments and a programme of country craft workshops.

Founder Richard Norris said: “It is a shame that it has taken so long for the council to acknowledge the validity of our case. It has been an incredibly frustrating and costly process, with damaging and unnecessary delays.”

Director Jane Marsden added: “A big factor in our favour was the unprecedented level of support from local residents and other businesses. More than 1,600 people signed our petition and literally hundreds wrote to the council in support.

The planning committee had turned down the original plan because it feared the growth of the business, built on a greenfield site.

Local MP Steve Brine said: “This has been torturous for Long Barn. No-one is objecting to due and proper process being followed but we should always be minded that businesses can go over the edge if there are extended delays.

Cllr Rob Humby, portfolio holder for planning and enforcement at the city council said: “We want to encourage enterprising businesses like Long Barn, and help them to succeed. It is thanks to pioneering businesses such as this that we can gather evidence to make changes to our planning systems for the good of our local economy.”