Maxeys Farm Shop extension decision deferred

A plan to extend a farm shop has divided councillors.

Mr Keith Maxey and his wife, Katharine, want to add a tea room, meeting room for business use and more carparking spaces at Maxeys Farm Shop, Hockerton Road, Kirklington.

They said the expansion would create a further ten full-time and eight part-time jobs.

Newark and Sherwood District Council planning committee deferred the application after it failed to agree over the L-shaped, 623sq metres plan.

The committee will discuss the plan again on September 8.

Councillor Mrs Penny Rainbow said: “Common sense must prevail. We cannot be seen to be penalising a local business from growing.

“If we cannot be seen to be supporting British farmers, then who will?”

Fellow committee member Mrs Yvonne Woodhead said: “This new extension is what the farm shop needs and it would give long-distance drivers a place to stop.”

Both Kirklington and Hockerton parish councils supported the application.

Mr Roger Blaney said: “This is a long, straight road where there is fast traffic.

“What they are proposing is not a farm shop. It is a bigger development.

“We need to find out exactly what the definition of a farm shop is because I don’t think this is it. It is looking like a large retail unit.”