THE proprietor of a popular Badshot Lea antiques business looks set to win something of a hollow victory in a long-running battle with Waverley planners next week.

Hilary Burroughs, who with her husband, Peter, has run The Antiques Warehouse in a pair of leased Elizabethan tithe barns at Badshot Farm since 1995, is expected to finally see the threat of enforcement action lifted.

But there is a sting in the tail, for although planning officers are recommending that the couple be granted planning consent, they want to put a two-year limit on continuation of the business.

The proposal is that on or by November 19, 2010, the site should be reinstated to its previous condition, when it was in use for light industry.

If agreed by councillors, it will mean that the end is in sight for a successful family business, which the proprietors insist has been operating quietly and discreetly for the last 13 years.

The surprise limitation follows an officer's report to Waverley's western planning committee as recently as September, which recommended a five-year planning consent be granted.

In a letter to the planners on behalf of the Burroughs, the enterprise has been described as "more that a retail use... an educational resource, cultural facility, art gallery and museum".

While three-quarters of the space is allocated for displaying their own art, antiques and collectables, the remainder is allocated for smaller tradespeople to show their wares.

The site has become something of a tourist attraction, where on Sunday afternoons the tinkling of the grand piano frequently adds to the olde worlde charm.

At one point during the long struggle with the planners more than 5,000 signatures were gathered on a petition asking the council not to close the warehouse down.

The current application to continue the use, which will be determined by the western planning committee next Wednesday, has attracted 23 letters of support but also eight of objection.

For while supporters have described the business as an asset to the community which keeps the listed tithe barn maintained, opponents believe the council will be unable to restrict sales to antiques and that temporary permission will lead to a permanent retail use.

Hilary and Peter Burroughs have been battling the planners for almost the whole 13 years since they renovated the ramshackle barn, which was previously in use as vehicle workshops.

A catalogue of applications and appeals by themselves and the site owners over the years scored just one success - in 1998 when the Burroughs were granted a temporary personal consent for the retail business, which expired six years ago.

Planners, fearful that if the use went unchecked the right would be acquired for an unfettered retail use, slapped a flawed enforcement notice on the business in July 2007, which had to be withdrawn, and another in June this year.

Councillors will be told by planning officers next week that while the business has existed "in general harmony with surrounding occupiers" for 13 years, there remains a concern about it being replaced by a more harmful retail use in the future.

The proposed solution is a planning consent personal to Mr and Mrs Burroughs, for the sale and display of art, antiques and collectables specifically and limited to two years.