LACOCK’S Whitehall Garden Centre is set to triple in size and create 150 extra jobs as it bids to turn itself into a regional tourist attraction.

Previous plans to add a huge extension were first approved by Wiltshire Council in 2008 and then amended in 2012 but were never carried out. Now garden centre bosses want to consult with people living nearby before putting in a new scheme for a 14,000 sq ft extension,

The previous application showed that the existing garden centre is just shy of 5,000sqft.

Throughout July, residents will be able to submit comments on the proposed redevelopment which could see the creation of multiple restaurants, an indoor and outdoor playground and an extension of their existing animal corner at the site on Corsham Road.

Whitehall has been a sixth generation family business since 1894 in the village and the Self family now believe that since the original scheme was drawn up, changing markets have led to the family to reconsider the approved plans.

They now hope to receive input from locals about the phasing, layout, function, safety and efficiency of the new site which will address any concerns previously raised regarding highways and drainage.

Peter Self, managing director of Whitehall said he hopes the garden centre will remain a garden centre destination against other national chain competitors, with the aim of making it a tourist destination.

He added: “It is very important to include the community particularly in these plans and we are very pleased of the feedback so far.

“These are challenging and exciting times, the customer expectation is getting ever greater, the competition is becoming price driven and moving online, as a family business we are endeavouring to be intuitive and build on the hard work built up by my grandmother and father to further develop the business to serve the local community and visitors to north Wiltshire.”

In the plans on display, it is hoped the new proposals will result in the doubling of employee numbers which is likely to create a minimum of 150 extra jobs.

It will also see a level platform throughout the centre to allow ease of access for wheelchair users and pushchairs.

In terms of the design concept, the buildings have been drafted as ‘Tithe barns’ which aim to complement the type of buildings found in and around the village.

Lacock parish council previously commented on the plans regarding the entrance which Whitehall have said will not change. Instead, they have proposed to create an easy circulatory route for service and emergency vehicles, allowing the delivery vehicles to be routed separately from the customer traffic.

Parish Council chairman Christopher Doel said that the concerns councillors previously had regarding the plans, including access, were “straightened out” with Whitehall.

He said: “I haven’t personally had a chance to look at the plans but the issues we had before regarding accessing the garden centre were straightened out.

The plans would also see the creation of 360 parking spaces, including 35 disabled bays as well as five coach parking spaces and 10 customer collection spaces.

Mr Self added: “After the consultation, we will redraw the plans with the input of the community and hope to submit the application by September.”

The plans will be on display within the Orangery Restaurant between 9am-5pm.

For more information, visit www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk.