WHY do planning authorities object to garden centres’ attractions?
It’s most baffling to read of a general opposition being dictated towards garden centres’ ancillary attractions and amenities, such as a model railway in the West Parley Plowmans Garden Centre and the proposal to have a coffee shop and provide car parking at the Otter Nurseries, who wish to organise a garden centre on their site (Daily Echo, May 20).
Surely in the interests of tourism, in addition to catering for the residents’ requirements in the gardening sphere, it would be highly advantageous to see such additional attractions, especially where the younger visitor is concerned.
Nurseries with only greenhouses to be seen are out of date and multi-purpose garden centres have taken their place.
So let’s hope that planning authorities wake up and adopt modern views.
PHILIP WHITELEGG, Saxonhurst Close, Northbourne
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