Businesses in Petersfield’s Bakery Lane are breathing a sigh of relief after a planning application threatening their livelihood was rejected.

Over the last three years, Fez Bazaar and The Blacksmith’s Daughter have been at risk of losing their premises after planning proposals to redevelop the site by their landlord.

But at an East Hampshire District Council planning committee on February 20, the latest plan was turned down again.

The Blacksmith’s Daughter owner Kristina Cousen, told The Petersfield Post that she is “very pleased” with the outcome and thanks the community for their support.

She said: “There were probably over 100 people, we asked them to vote with their feet and they came in their droves! It was fantastic, they all stood behind me, it was wonderful.

“My family were there and my extended family, which is now the whole of Petersfield. “The committee saw this was worth preserving, it’s a heritage building and they got that.”

The proposal was to demolish the single-storey building where the businesses operate and replace it with a commercial unit. But after representations from the public and lengthy discussions, three councillors voted in favour and six were against.

Ben Bozdag, brother-in-law to Fez owner Bilsen Gonul, said the family is glad the decision went in their favour.

He added: “It is a family-owned business and I work there and manage it in the evenings. My sister-in-law has done a great job, so did Kristina, and the community support has been amazing and that's what it's about.”

Councillor David Podger, local ward councillor covering Bakery Lane, attended the meeting and expressed his support.

He said: “I have never seen an East Hampshire Council meeting with as many members of the public attending. I suspect the presence of so many people also influenced the committee’s decision.”