Say it with Flowers

Hampton Garden Centre is all set for change, with major investment in the existing garden centre and horticultural enterprise, supported by a new landscaping and grounds maintenance contracting business.

In March 2023, Tyler Parkes secured planning permission for the expansion of the garden centre, with new outdoor and indoor plant sales areas, a new sales kiosk and parking to improve the customer experience, with relocation of the horticultural polytunnels to improve operational safety and efficiency.  The landscaping and grounds maintenance business will integrate with and support both these businesses, providing design, delivery and maintenance services for one-off small scale domestic schemes through to estate management and commercial contracts and sharing of the facilities, plant and equipment, and staffing.  This investment will support the economic security of the business and provide employment and training opportunities.

It was a hard-fought permission, not least because Hampton Garden Centre is in the Green Belt where it was necessary to demonstrate that ‘very special circumstances exist’ including justifying the economic need and the achievement of gains to biodiversity.

This latest application sought a variation to the site’s layout, through the relocation and rotation of the previously approved barns and the associated changes to the landscape contractor’s yard compound and internal access; it was also proposed to retain and extend the existing toilet block.  The changes were viewed positively by the Council and, once an updated Flood Risk Assessment had been provided, planning permission was granted on the 2 February 2024.

The discharge of pre-construction conditions are underway in readiness for construction works to commence in the summer.  So, there will be plenty of opportunities to say it with flowers.