The plans have been submitted to make sure it ‘remains competitive’
Ellerker Lodge Garden Centre near Brough(Image: Google streetview)
Plans have emerged for the expansion of a popular East Yorkshire garden centre. Ellerker Lodge Garden Centre near Brough, East Yorkshire, has been run by current owners Sandra and Robert Hardcastle – the owner of several regional landscaping and horticultural businesses – for almost 12 years.
The business expanded to open The Olive Tree Coffee Shop and Restaurant, a popular destination for shoppers to stop for cake, coffee and other tasty meals. Now the garden centre, known for its vast selection of plants, trees and shrubs, has lodged plans for an extension designed to ensure it “remains competitive and viable in the long term”.
The firm has submitted documents to East Riding of Yorkshire Council for the scheme at its site on Ring Beck Lane, having enlisted Benson Planning Studio.
Planning permission is being sought for the construction of a new storage building, extensions to the existing garden centre, a replacement detached retail building, and customer car parking bays. Before submitting the plans, a detailed design and land use analysis was carried out.
The design statement says: “The proposal represents a modest expansion and rationalisation of an established rural business, supporting its long-term viability while improving site organisation and customer experience.
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“The site is currently occupied by the garden centre which comprises a range of retail buildings, ancillary structures, outdoor display areas and customer parking areas. The business operates as a horticultural retail destination providing plants, garden products and related goods.
“Garden centres typically require a combination of indoor retail space and outdoor display areas. In addition, they require adequate storage facilities and sufficient parking provision to accommodate visitors who generally travel to the site by private car.
“The existing layout of the garden centre has developed incrementally over time in response to the operational needs of the business. As a result, certain areas of the site are arranged informally, particularly in relation to parking provision.
“The proposed development seeks to rationalise and improve the organisation of the site while maintaining the established use. The current proposal represents a logical progression in the evolution of the site and is intended to improve operational efficiency while supporting the ongoing success of the garden centre.”
The proposals also includes building a replacement detached retail building, which won’t be associated with the garden centre but is set to be used as office space, a commercial unit, professional services and “similar compatible uses”.
The application adds: “The building will support diversification and employment within the local area.”
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