Exactly one year ago today (16th February) Long Barn were left reeling by Winchester City Council’s refusal to grant permission for a development of their business on the Old Sheep Fair in Alresford. It was a devastating blow for this popular business, which had the support of hundreds of local residents.

All is different today as lavender business Long Barn is celebrating the decision by the City Council to grant planning permission to develop its retail plant nursery, the serving of refreshments and a programme of country craft workshops.

Founder Richard Norris explains: “We never doubted for one minute that planning law supported our application and we began the Appeal process immediately after our original application was refused. Soon after the refusal we resubmitted our application and it is this that has now been granted on delegated powers.vAt every step we have taken excellent advice from our planning consultants Turley Associates and it is a shame that it has taken so long for the council to acknowledge the validity of our case. It has been an incredibly frustrating and costly process, with damaging and unnecessary delays.”

Director Jane Marsden adds: “A big factor in our favour was the unprecedented level of support from local residents and other businesses. More than 1600 people signed our petition and literally hundreds wrote to the council in support including the South Downs Committee. People were flabbergasted as to why we should not be granted permission to develop what is a unique and highly valued business. We would like to thank them all, as well as our MP Steve Brine for his firm support over the last 2 years. A special mention should go to the Economic Prosperity team at Winchester City Council, which was consistent in its encouragement and is a very good asset to the planning process. We desperately need a speedier and more collaborative decision making process for business planning decisions.”

MP Steve Brine echoed these sentiments : “This has been torturous for Long Barn. No-one is objecting to due and proper process being followed but we should always be minded that businesses can go over the edge if there are extended delays when they seek help from the local council, with all the implications that would have for the local economy and the people they employ. The city council have worked hard in recent months to sharpen up the way it supports rural businesses looking to set-up and expand and that is very welcome at any time but especially right now.”

Cllr Rob Humby, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Enforcement at Winchester City Council commented: "We want to encourage enterprising businesses like Long Barn, and help them to succeed. It is thanks to pioneering businesses such as this that we can gather evidence to make changes to our planning systems for the good of our local economy.”

The new planning permission will make a tremendous difference to the potential of Long Barn, whose sustainable business has a unique combination of garden, home and beauty products alongside its plant nursery and lavender growing business. Richard concludes: “We are extremely excited about fulfilling our vision for the business and making our site an even more attractive destination for both local residents and visitors to the area.”

Nestled in the heart of the Hampshire countryside, Long Barn grows and distills English lavender, producing their own exclusive range of aromatic beauty and bath products made entirely from natural ingredients. Alongside, Long Barn has sourced unique and stylish lifestyle products including homeware, gardening and foods, many from England and all made to the highest quality.

At the heart of their business is a true love of lavender and the desire to offer products they are proud to sell. Their abiding passion is getting it right for the customer, by providing the very best, friendly, courteous and efficient customer service.

Long Barn has just launched their brand new web store (www.longbarn.co.uk), where you will find a special gift for everyone this Christmas. Every box they ship is carefully packaged and smells divine when opened - their aim is to delight at every opportunity!

There's also an offer of a free compact pillow spray worth £6.95 - FREE for all orders over £45!

If you like us to nurture a penchant for all things cashmere, cotton and generally fabulous, there’s a strong likelihood that you too have been waging war against fashion’s most evil enemy. And no it’s not Jodie Marsh.  In fact, we’re talking about the Common Clothes Moth or Tineola Bisselliella for all you Latin scholars out there. Argh! Just thinking about the dastardly rotters makes us start fuming at the ears and ranting about that jumper, that t-shirt and that blanket all nibbled to beyond repair by those horrible teeny tiny moth teeth. Or whatever it is they have.
 
Now, we’re not sure if there’s currently some form of UK-wide moth plague right now, but we do feel like everyone’s been ranting about their moth problems recently. We for one have been spending more time than ever hopping around our flats effing and blinding and swiping at the little creatures.
 
After trialling and testing every possible solution out there; think toxic cans of moth spray, stinky mothballs and all sorts of weird traps, one last-ditch attempt at internet research revealed that moths HATE the smell of Lavender. Music to our ears! So this weekend, while on a flying trip to Hampshire, we popped into our favourite lavender farm situated in the beautiful village of Alresford. With a whopping 2 acres of Lavender fields they know absolutely everything there is to know about the stuff and even have their own range of the most stylishly packaged beauty products out there.

This visit however, we loaded up on their fabulous selection of their brilliant lavender bags and sacks which we have stuffed into every crevice in our drawers and wardrobes. They also recommended that we top up the bags with a few drops of their lavender essential oil to boost their moth-scaring powers. What are you waiting for people? It’s going to change your life. Check out their super new website...

Grazia Online 10/11/11

We are very excited about the release of the first Long Barn mail order catalogue and website that offers our customers a cross-section of everything we sell at the barn in Alresford. For those of you who are familiar with Long Barn, you will already know that we don’t just sell lavender! Over the last few years we have become well known for offering stylish and contemporary gifts that complement our core range of lavender bath and beauty products. Beautifully and atmospherically photographed by Paul Pascoe, we are delighted with the look and feel of the catalogue and hope that it tempts people who have yet to discover the full delights of Long Barn. If you live within striking-distance of Alresford, then I hope you can find the time to come and visit us here. Christmas at the barn is magical. The warm oak beams and pine scent from the huge festive tree create such a welcoming feeling that somehow you relax the moment you walk through the door. Retail therapy indeed!

As part of the new mail order business, we have ventured into social media through launching Twitter, Facebook and YouTube accounts. If you have something to say about LongBarn or want to check out our video, visit our website and click one of the Twitter, Facebook or YouTube links. We always welcome all customer feedback and suggestions.

The tradition of the old gardeners seems to have been lost in recent times but at Long Barn we try to preserve and reintroduce some of those important traditions. November is an excellent time to plant trees and shrubs in the garden and this includes lavender. We have a wide range of lavender varieties available at the barn, plus fruit trees where some of the ‘heritage’ varieties of apple are on offer as half-standards, step-overs, ‘U’ cordons and espaliers. Grown locally, these trees are of excellent quality. November is the best time to plant tulip bulbs and we have chosen some of the very best including Vita Sackville-West’s favourite for the white garden, ‘White Triumphator’, old favourites such as ‘Carnaval de Nice’ and utterly delicious and flamboyant Parrot tulips such as ‘Blumex’ and Viridifloras. Also one we have planted widely at the barn, the lovely green-striped white ‘Spring Green’. If you need any help or advice do not hesitate to ask – we are here to help.