PLANNERS are to hold a site meeting in Buckland Monachorum, where the former head gardener of the internationally acclaimed Garden House is proposing a new horticultural business.
Keith Wiley has applied to West Devon Borough Council for permission for a plant nursery, demonstration gardens and educational centre on land adjacent to Didham Farm, Green Lane.
Eighteen letters have been sent to the planning authority against the application, which includes associated buildings, biomes and greenhouses. The main concerns from local residents are an increase in traffic and inadequate access and the impact on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Buckland Monachorum Parish Council is also objecting to the plans, which it says are of a size and scope 'inappropriate' for the location and The National Trust feels it would harm the setting of the protected Buckland Abbey.
Planning permission is sought for the change of use of agricultural land and plans involve a large engineering operation to alter ground levels to create a man-made wetland area and hillside.
The 1.9km site would be split into four areas — a garden consisting of a new meadow, hillside, quarry, scree slope and plateau, an area of buildings, a lake and an existing orchard.
Keith Wiley was head gardener at the Garden House for 25 years during which time it became popular worldwide.
He stepped down from the role earlier this year to spend more time lecturing, writing and concentrating on his nursery business.