BETTA Bedding in Bretforton is asking a government inspector to allow the company to stay on the Station Road site for another 12 months while arrangements are made to move.

An enforcement notice was served by Wychavon District Council because planners claimed the land was being used without planning permission for storage of animal bedding and materials for remanufacture into animal bedding, and this was a non-agricultural use.

The council said the intensification of activity through the significant increase in lorry movements along narrow lanes serving the site was likely to have a detrimental impact on a residential area.

An appeal has been lodged against the notice and an inspector appointed by the planning inspectorate will arbitrate by exchange of statements.

Mark Young, of agent Berry and Young which is acting for the company in the appeal, said temporary planning approval had twice been granted for Betta Bedding's use of the site while the company was in the process of seeking a permanent solution by extending its Offenham Road premises.

He explained that an application for increased paper storage at Offenham Road was due for a decision on Monday and an approval would mean the Station Road site reverting to agricultural use, though it would take eight months for work to be completed.

"Should the inspector be of a mind to allow this appeal, we would be happy to accept a condition that the Station Road site will revert to agricultural use and the Betta Bedding would make no further applications to store paper at the Station Road site on completion of any new facilities at Offenham Road," Mr Young said.