WINCHESTER planners have narrowly spared a firm selling vehicle trailers from possible closure.
Trailer Trek is based in a former grain store at Warren Farm on the outskirts of Micheldever Station.
For four years it has sold a variety of trailers, varying in use from transporting livestock to quad bikes but without planning permission.
As a result, the firm asked Winchester City Council for retrospective approval.
Council officers were unimpressed, and recommended that Trailer Trek, which has three staff, should be prevented from trading on the site.
However, the planning committee heard that Micheldever Parish Council was backing Trailer Trek's case and that no residents had objected to the move.
John Bothan, parish council chairman, said: "Surely Trailer Trek is an excellent example of the kind of business we should be encouraging to keep the rural economy healthy?"
A vote resulted in five councillor siding with the officers, with an equal number supporting Trailer Trek.
As a result, Cllr Ernie Jeffs, chairman, used his casting vote and backed the company.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article