PLANTS Galore at Forches Cross, Newton Abbot, has been given two months to get in a planning application or face enforcement action. Teignbridge Council first heard about its unauthorised trading two years ago. Last December, owner Tony Joyner was told to cease trading. But he has continued and now wants to expand. Recently, signs have sprung up on the A382 advertising his prices. At Monday's development control committee, ward member Cllr Anne Fry said it was formerly a wholesale nursery selling cucumbers and tomatoes. She said the owner claimed change was forced on him, having lost contracts. She said he now wants to expand and is going to put in a planning application to regularise the situation. She acknowledged there were highways issues, but suggested that enforcement action be delayed for two months to allow for an application to be submitted. Cllr Beryl Austen pointed out that other businesses on the site sold to the public. 'It seems a bit illogical to refuse it to someone else. I do accept that the crossing is a bit dangerous.' Cllr Shirley Maddicott said that the road had always been busy – as an unofficial entrance to Seale-Hayne and then for Trago Mills. Cllr Jeremy Christophers said that the business was a success, selling locally-grown plants. 'Come to Teignbridge and run a business – provided it isn't too successful and doesn't generate too much traffic,' he joked. Cllr David Cox agreed, saying: 'We do seem to be stifling entrepreneurship.' Cllr Jim Grimble thought it was important to distinguish between the land use and the unauthorised advertising signs. 'It will give him entirely the wrong impression if we were to ignore the advertising until an application comes in,' he warned. But that is what councillors decided to do, giving Mr Joyner two months before they reconsider the matter.
