A FLINTSHIRE company which supplied awnings for the London Olympics has been denied permission to build a new HQ after a planning appeal was rejected.

Trevor Ruddle applied to create offices and a showroom in Gwernaffield in 2018 due to the growing success of his business, Indigo Awnings, which is currently based on the Bromfield Industrial Estate in Mold.

The plans were rejected by Flintshire Council last August because of concerns about the site on Ffordd y Bryn being located in an area of open countryside.

The site for the proposed development is on paddock land next to Mr Ruddle’s home, which is also used as bed and breakfast accommodation.

He later appealed to the Planning Inspectorate in a bid to have the decision overturned.

A consultant acting on his behalf said the scheme was essential to allow the firm to continue to expand and would deliver economic benefits for the area.

However, the inspector appointed to oversee the process backed the local authority’s conclusion.

In his decision notice, Anthony Thickett said: “I have no doubt that having the business on the doorstep would be very convenient for the owner but it is not a use for which a rural location is necessary, never mind essential as required by policy.

“In addition to occasionally being used for business meetings, Bryn Bellan is a bed and breakfast establishment.

“It is not tenable, in my view, to argue that the support in Planning Policy Wales for the expansion of existing businesses located in the open countryside applies here.

“Bryn Bellan may be the registered office for the appellant company and be used occasionally in support but the main business of the company takes place in premises in Mold.”

He added: “The appeal site is in a very attractive environment but whilst I can see the desirability of locating here that does not justify overturning the strict control over development in the countryside.

“It is also an argument that could be repeated many times undermining the objectives in national and local policy of locating development in sustainable locations.”

The company has entered a number of new markets over recent years including the United Arab Emirates with several well known clients including Marriot Hotels, Yo Sushi, Carluccio’s and York Racecourse.

According to the appeal documents, the plans originally received the backing of the council’s economic development team.

But Mr Thickett  said the advantages of the facility could still be realised if the proposed development took place in another area.