A VINERY owner claims a horticultural shed he owns was built as a builders’ store and had never been used for growing.

Bruce Tostevin has appealed against the Environment Department’s decision to refuse permission for a change of use for the shed at Ridgeway Vinery, Rue des Pointes, St Andrew’s, from horticultural to a carpenters’ or builders’ store.

At a planning appeal tribunal hearing yesterday, Mr Tostevin said he knew many people who told him the shed had been used mostly as a builders’ store. ‘There shouldn’t be any doubt to its usage,’ he said.

Environment planning officer Julian Pentland said the application for a change of use was denied because it conflicted with the Rural Area Plan. He said for the change of use to be permitted it had to be demonstrated that the building was redundant in its current use.