The independent garden centre industry has taken a hit as plans have been submitted to knock down two garden centres which could make way for housing developments.
Firstly, the proprietor of Hansons Garden Centre, near Clitheroe in Lancashire, has sent plans to the local borough council following a public consultation that could see 62 properties built on the site of the centre.

The garden centre lies in the heart of the Ribble Valley, in the village of Barrow, on a 5 acre site. It caters to its local community by selling a wide range of products like plants, seeds, shrubs, outdoor furniture, barbecues, gardening tools and lawn care products. There is also a cafe and a playground, pitching it as a good destination for a day out.

Included in the development plans are 34 three-bedroom houses, 15 two-bedroom houses and 13 properties with four bedrooms. Locals are outraged that they could lose their local garden centre and say the new site will be terrible for the area.

Elsewhere, the Ingatestone Garden Centre in Essex could close and be replaced by a housing development. The owners, who only bought the garden centre three years ago, have recently sent plans to the local parish council with a proposal for 130 new homes.

The garden centre was established in 1938 and is renowned for its own gardens that have grown over the years. It also has a family restaurant, aviary and many ponds in the grounds for customers to explore, but the site will be shut down if the plans go ahead.

From Mountnessing Parish Council, in charge of the proposals, the chair Karl Afteni said: "It's not as though we aren't well served - there is quite a lot at Chelmsford which is only a five minute drive."

The garden centre owners may submit plans to develop a plot of greenbelt land next to the site. If any plans are passed, work is expected to start in around four years time.