A HASLEMERE man is claiming red tape and a lack of co-operation with the former owner have thwarted his efforts to open a newsagentÕs shop in a unit which is being used, without planning permission, as an estate agent.
The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, claims he has been fighting Òan uphill battleÓ for two-and-a half years to purchase the lease for the premises on Junction Place, Wey Hill.
His comments follow a report in last weekÕs Herald which stated that since April of this year estate agent Safford Dixon has been trading from the unit without planning permission.
The controversial issue of whether Safford Dixon should be granted permission to trade was first discussed by WaverleyÕs southern area development control committee in April.
The sub-committee decided to defer the application until further evidence of marketing of the unit for retail use had been provided by Safford Dixon.
At a meeting of the sub-committee last week, councillors refused to grant permission to the estate agent on grounds it had not produced evidence the shop had been fully marketed.
But Martin Dixon, a partner of the estate agent, recently told The Herald he would appeal against WaverleyÕs decision and continue to operate his business from the premises.
Mr Dixon claims the unit was fully marketed for retail use but competition from the nearby Tesco superstore and the Esso garage had made the premises ÒunattractiveÓ to buyers.
But the man who claims to have fought to buy the lease for the premises maintains a newsagent in Haslemere is Òmuch needed and wantedÓ.
A spokesman for Waverley Borough Council said: ÒOfficers are considering whether to issue an enforcement notice to Safford Dixon following the last meeting of the southern area development control sub-commitee.Ó