Recycling at Raxhayes must cease trading and remove all of its building off the site after planning inspector rules in favour of the district council.

An Ottery recycling business has been told it must close and take down its buildings after losing its planning appeal.

East Devon District Council took enforcement action against Recycling at Raxhayes for setting up an unauthorised site at Raxhayes Farm, in Holcombe Lane.

Owners Tracey and Fred Hayman spoke to the Herald in July they did not realise they had to apply for planning permission and would appeal the notice.

The appeal was dismissed by a planning inspector and the couple have been told to stop trading and remove unauthorised buildings, containers and other paraphernalia within six months.

Cllr Mike Howe, chairman of the council’s development management committee, said; “It is always unfortunate when we have to take enforcement action against a popular local business, but in this case it was in totally the wrong location. It is good that the Planning Inspector has supported the council’s decision and the existing site will have to close. However, I sincerely hope that the business will relocate to an appropriate location with planning permission and be successful.”