A RURAL BUSINESS which is threatened with closure has enlisted the support of Dame Harriett Baldwin as it tries to navigate planning issues.
Dame Harriett met with Tricia and Clive Stapleton, owners of the Alpaca Meadows, near Malvern, to discuss the challenges it has encountered trying to keep the popular destination open.
Visitors are able to walk around the grounds, see the popular alpacas and Pygmy goats and visit the café, which started operating after the first pandemic lockdown.
But now the business has fallen foul of planning enforcement and the couple fear it will have to close, owing to the cost of implementing measures including an electric vehicle charging point and an improved road access.
Dame Harriett, who is standing at the election to be returned as the Member of Parliament for West Worcestershire offered her support to Tricia and Clive and agreed to contact the relevant agencies to consider solutions.
The parliamentary candidate will contact the District Council about the electric charging point requirement and the County Council Highways department to see if there are solutions at the junction which would cost less than a whole new road.
Dame Harriett said: “This is clearly a very popular attraction and in recent days, I have had a number of messages over social media calling for me to step up and offer the business support.
“At the moment there are no MPs but I have been able to discuss the matter with the cabinet member responsible for highways, and asked him to go and visit Tricia and Clive.
“This story has gone worldwide, and I hope the local planners will be able to pause and reflect on the impact this may have on a popular local business.
“If I am re-elected on July 4, I will take up the case formally, but right now, I’m hoping that Malvern Hills District Council will waive the requirement for an additional electric charging point as there already is one at the property.”
