A GARDEN centre will be allowed to grow in size after expansion plans were backed by the council.

Laylocks Garden Centre in Cotheridge near Worcester had its plan to build a new extension to its shop and car park approved by Wychavon District Council.

The expansion will see a new 450 square metre extension and 216 square metre canopy built as well as seven extra car parking spaces.

A large extension was built at the garden centre off Bromyard Road in 2020 with a launch delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the latest plan builds on major expansion plans for the family-run business as it looks to sell more tools, seeds and bulbs.

A statement included with the application said: “The garden centre recently completed an extension to the shop which has proved to be very successful and despite the coronavirus pandemic of the past 18 months the business has flourished and is now attracting customers away from the larger Worcester based garden centres such as Worcester Garden Centre and St Peters Garden Centre.

“The garden centre now employs 25 staff and this is expected to increase to 35 over the next 18 months.

“The garden centre needs to expand its garden sundries department in order to offer a full range of garden tools, fertilizers, seeds, bulbs and greenhouse accessories.

“The area required is around 450 metres squared and the existing department is only 210 metres squared.

“It is proposed therefore, to relocate the existing departments into a new building of the appropriate size.

“The location of this building is to be an extension to the recently opened shop extension.”

The work was backed by planning officers at Malvern Hills District Council who said the garden centre played a key role in the local rural economy which the expansion would boost.

A report said: “The proposal represents an investment in the existing garden centre.

“The garden centre and associated horticultural nursery contribute to rural economic prosperity.

“The proposed development will allow the site to continue and enhance its role within the rural economy without affecting the viability of nearest shopping centre.”