Green shoots for the future of Hare Hatch Sheeplands after takeover deal

When Hare Hatch Sheeplands owner Rob Scott started his fledgling plant nursery, he faced the task of transforming a derelict site into a thriving garden centre.

More than 30 years have passed since the 68-year-old planted his first seeds for the business back in 1993.

Now, after a lengthy planning dispute with Wokingham Borough Council, green shoots are finally appearing for the future of the London Road garden centre following the announcement of a takeover by The Gardening Club.

The deal will see the venue remain as a garden centre and pave the way for much-needed investment in the site.

Outgoing owner Rob told the Advertiser: “In 1993, I started Hare Hatch Nursery and the site was derelict.

“This site has had no investment for 15 years.

“Up until the investment by The Gardening Club, we were looking pretty run down. Whether that be with potholes in the car park, empty sales areas, leaky roofs.

“Now, in the space of two months since January, the site has been transformed and it’s almost like going back 30 years to when I first transformed the derelict site.

“For me, it’s fantastic to see that second transformation.”

The popular plant nursery’s prolonged legal battle with Wokingham Borough Council over ‘unauthorised developments’ – including shops and businesses – at the greenbelt site placed a significant strain on the company.

The council had argued Hare Hatch was only authorised to operate as a plant nursery, café and farm shop but other businesses were trading from the site.

The bitter dispute was finally brought to a close in 2019 when the Court of Appeal ruled no further legal action could be taken against the garden centre for alleged breaches of an enforcement notice.

Planning permission was finally secured in March 2022 to breathe new life into the garden centre with the introduction of a new play area, toilet facilities and a replacement café.

But the need for external investment has seen the project stall – until now.

Rob said: “A lot has happened since 2022. The war in Ukraine, the prices of steel and fuel, the availability of labour for building.

“ The world is totally different from when we set out to get the planning consent in 2020.

“We’ve been talking to many people since 2022 but they’ve fallen by the wayside until The Gardening Club came along.”

He added: “There was much speculation about us being sold for building. I’ve always maintained that throughout all our troubles, all we’ve wanted to do is progress our business as a nursery and garden centre and a place for customers to enjoy plants and food.

“I’m delighted that we’ve managed to find a partner in The Gardening Club who are going to offer fantastic value.”

The green-fingered Hare Hatch resident is planning to remain a friendly face at the garden centre and will maintain a role looking after the plants and offering support to Gardening Club chief executive, Tom Cook.

“The most important thing is that this guarantees this part at least of The Floral Mile will remain as a centre of horticultural excellence,” Rob said.