Green-fingered entrepreneur plans garden centre

A woman whose plans to set up a garden centre at her home were scotched by councillors is having a second stab at establishing her new business venture, but this time in a more suitable location.

Lerwick woman Ingrid Moar has applied to the council’s planning department to develop a centre from scratch in the town’s Fort Road.

In November Mrs Moar, of Hillcrest in Upper Sound, applied to change her garden into a commercial flower and plant centre after it emerged a similar scheme in Gilbertson Road was closing down.

Her application was praised by some members of the planning committee, but was turned down by chairman Frank Robertson’s casting vote after councillors tied the vote.

Concerns had been heard from nearby residents about traffic congestion in an area where parking was already limited. Some said a residential area was not suitable for retail business use.

It is hoped the new development will be built on wasteland behind Cindy’s hairdresser in Harbour Street.