Garden centre at Hilgay submits plans to extend site and grow business

New jobs will be created at Baytree Garden Centre, at Hilgay, if it gets planning approval to grow and improve its A10 site.

An application has been submitted to West Norfolk borough council for expansion and alterations which will help cope with increased demand for garden plants and products.

At present, the centre employs 33 full and part-time staff. If the proposals get the go-ahead, it says it will need to take on a further 15 employees.

The site comprises a garden centre, farm shop and restaurant.

Baytree of Hilgay was originally called Dents of Hilgay but in 2019 the site was acquired by Baytree Nurseries of Spalding.

The new owner has, over the past three years, assessed the layout and operation of the site and wishes to make some changes - prompted by a number of factors.

A statement, linked to the application, says there has been an increase in the demand by customers for garden products and plants and the current outdoor plant sales area is too small. It is proposed to extend the open sales area by some 1,827 sq metres.

The open-sided canopy space is also too small. This space is used for retailing tender plants such as annuals and some shrubs susceptible to adverse weather conditions such as roses, herbaceous perennials etc. It is also used for displaying bags of compost and soil conditioners, fencing products, plant pots and containers and hanging baskets. It is proposed to make a 538sq metre extension to the existing canopy.

A third issue is the need to replace the existing glasshouse shop which is in poor condition and cannot viably be repaired.

The proposals also include improving toilet facilities and the restaurant and to extend the car park space.

It is estimated that a total of 140 parking spaces will be required plus staff parking Currently there are approximately 90 spaces plus overflow parking on grass for approximately 50 cars. The plan is to make the grass overflow car park a hard surfaced area.

The application will also regularise some developments which have already been undertaken on site.

The planning statement sums up: “The proposed development will assist in supporting the rural economy through both providing jobs, capital investment and encouraging people to shop locally."