Council refuses Wickham Laboratories application

Winchester City Council has refused an application for a Certificate of Lawfulness submitted on behalf of Wickham Laboratories Ltd relating to land at Torbay Farm, Sciviers Lane, Lower Upham.

Wickham Laboratories was seeking to establish whether the land and buildings could be used for research and development purposes.

The decision was based on a legal interpretation of whether it is necessary to have planning permission to change the existing lawful use of the land to use for research and development purposes.

In 2002 Winchester City Council refused planning permission for the construction of a new building at Torbay Farm to be used for research and development purposes. In April 2003 a Planning Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State dismissed an appeal by Wickham Laboratories against the refusal.

Date published: 13/05/2004