RETROSPECTIVE permission has been granted by East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) planners for change of use from Class B1 (light industrial use) to pottery and craft studio with tearoom and ancillary retail at Unit 6, Soldridge Business Park, Medstead.

The application attracted support from a member of the public, who wrote: “The tea room is an asset to the business park and also gives customers from the other businesses somewhere to go while waiting.”

And from Medstead Parish Council which, while aware that this was not the first retrospective application for this site, was pleased to see that “the owners are now recognising the need for planning approval for various changes of use”.

The planning history reveals that the former agricultural buildings on the business park were granted change of use to Class B1 in April 2004, and that this particular unit saw a further change of use to pottery and craft studio with tearoom in 2006, trading as The Pottery Pantry Ltd.

In making their decision, EHDC planners heard that the business buys in ready-made unglazed pottery which is then painted and glazed. Some of the pottery products are professionally painted on commission. However, individuals and pre-booked parties can also decorate pottery, while partaking of hot and cold food supplied by the tearoom. Craft-related products are also sold, and the tearoom is said to be frequented by staff from the business park.

However, when the business park gained change of use to B1 in 2004 it had been with a condition restricting any change of use undertaken by permitted development, and the existing use of the unit was therefore said to be in breach of this condition.

In considering the application, planners felt that while there has been a loss of one light industrial unit, it had not been detrimental to the viability of the industrial estate as a whole. The employment use of the site had continued with the studio, which is run by two full-time members of staff and two part-time, and the cafe provided an amenity for staff from other units on the estate.

Furthermore, the existing use of a pottery studio was considered to be a tourist facility, the development of which in rural areas was supported by policies in East Hampshire’s local plan.