THE owners of a wedding venue in Headley are chasing their "holy grail", of getting permission to become a permanent civil wedding and reception venue and will go to appeal to do so.

Following a decision made last Thursday by East Hampshire District Council's north planning committee, the owners of Cain Manor in Headley will lodge an appeal for permanent use which isn't "unduly fettered".

Mark and Jo Cuttmore Scott, the owners of Cain Manor, were granted temporary permission to operate as a wedding venue in May 2003 and have been operational for two years without any significant complaint.

In November of last year, they were given permission to operate as a permanent wedding venue, providing that a music room was built and operational within two years of the date of permission. If not, permission would be removed all together.

The Cuttmore Scotts felt this condition was onerous for them to carry out while operating as a wedding and meeting venue. The agent acting on their behalf, Richard Goodall, explained: "The music room is beneficial in operational terms but not essential in planning terms." He pointed out that the strict noise restrictions already imposed ensure that there is no noise disturbance.

Although they have every intention of building the music room they are unhappy that their permanency is reliant upon it. They have taken bookings up until 2007 and have no intention of not being able to deliver what they have promised due to building work.

Mr Cuttmore Scott explained: "We need to set perspective customers' minds at rest. There is no uncertainty, the business is secure in its ability to deliver weddings up until the 2007 season. When the dotted line is signed there is a mutual commitment between us and the bride and groom and we will stand by that.

"Ideally we would like to carry out the work on the music room and the garage in January and February of 2008, which is our quietest time. We would stop taking bookings during that period and complete the work."

In an attempt to resolve this situation, the Cuttmore Scotts submitted a new application to the planning committee, this time for permission without the music room. In effect they wanted to ensure that they had permanent permission, regardless of the music room. As with the previous applications, all existing conditions concerning noise restrictions such as fireworks were still in place. This application was refused on the grounds that there would be more likelihood of noise disturbance. The committee were not happy about granting permission without the inclusion of a properly sound-proofed music room.

Following the suggestion of committee members, last Thursday an amendment to the condition of the planning permission agreed in November was suggested to the committee. This entailed extending the time frame for building the music room from two years to three. This was also turned down. Mrs Cuttmore Scott confirmed: "We are stunned by the decision of the committee.

They forced the two year time frame upon us, when in normal planning terms we would have up to five years from the date of permission to build it. We are not prepared to accept the two year time frame. They suggested three years and we and the parish council were happy with that. It feels as if everything is being done to frustrate the security of the business. We will appeal the decision on the various applications and any unreasonable or onerous conditions and will continue to fight until we win.

"We are well within our rights to ask for permanent permission. We feel as if we have earned the right to stay and carry on with our business. It is not fair to continue to meddle or take control in an inappropriate way."

Mr Goodall pointed out: "This could potentially be a very unusual situation whereby we get a refusal on the basis of not getting something built. The permanent consent is the 'holy grail' of this whole thing."

Mr Cuttmore Scott said: "We are very confident that by going to appeal this will get resolved by reasonable professionals, without undue influence and in objective terms."

Initially they will appeal their most recent application which was for permission, but without the music room.

"All we are asking for is for permanent use which isn't unduly fettered. We would like a public inquiry," Mr Goodall concluded.