Wickham Labs plan infringes National Park Boundary

3.18.30pm GMT Sun 10th Jan 2010

Liz Leffman, prospective Lib Dem MP for Meon Valley, has written to the Planning Inspector to object to the appeal lodged by Wickham Laboratories on the grounds that the proposed building falls within the boundary of the new South Downs National Park.

A planning application to build a new facility at Torbay Farm on Sciviers Lane in Lower Upham was rejected by Winchester City Council last year, but Wickham Laboratories have appealed against the decision.

A map of the boundary for the new National Park shows it taking in the whole of Lower Upham, extending a few yards down Sciviers Lane, and including Torbay Farm.

"The whole purpose of establishing a National Park is to protect our countryside," said Liz Leffman "It therefore makes no sense to locate a controversial animal testing laboratory within the boundary."

An appeal will be heard in the spring.