THE BATTLE over a Twyford garden centre continues to rage with its owners due to appear in crown court.

Hare Hatch Sheeplands Garden Centre officially began its life in 2006 as a horticultural nursery and farm shop.

The expansion saw owner Keith Scott issued with an enforcement notice by Wokingham Borough Council which argues the centre built on Green Belt land.

On April 21 at Reading Magistrates' Court, 11 owners of Hare Hatched-based businesses denied breaching a planning enforcement notice.

Prosecuting lawyer, Neil Alan, said: “The case involves a garden centre called Hare Hatch. 

“That garden centre was put in a planning enforcement notice."

Despite Mr Alan claiming the case could be dealt with by magistrates, Rebecca Hawksley, defence, convinced judges it should be heard at Reading Crown Court.

She said: “There are very intricate legal arguments surrounding the planning."

Gordon Neil Parry, Garden Trends Ltd and Paul Wheston, all of Hare Hatch Sheeplands, Deep End Pools Ltd and Paul Woodhead, both of Crediton, Devon, Alastair Ian Mills, of Moors Way, Moreton Pinkney, Martin Sando, of The Short, Purley on Thames and Nigel Anthony Pewzey Timms, of The Barn, Elm Lane, all denied failing to comply with an enforcement notice served on July 20, 2014.

Derek Chamberlain and Keith Robert Scott, both of Hare Hatch Sheeplands, and Yvonne Teresa Scott, of Orchard Avenue, Woodham, denied being owners of land situated at Hare Hatch Sheeplands that was in breach of an enforcement notice.

They will appear in Reading Crown Court at 9.30am on May 23.