A farmer's plan to open a pet crematorium in East Sussex has been dealt a fresh blow.

Robbie Dick has spent £50,000 creating a building complete with incinerator at Ayrshire Farm in Darp Lane, Ripe, near Lewes, in an effort to diversify as the industry struggles.

With his business partner Tracey Stewart, the 41-year-old had intended to open in May.

But planners yesterday rejected an application to use the development as a pet crematorium.

East Sussex county councillors, who decided the project conflicted with countryside planning policy, said they would look favourably on a revised application should the incinerator be used purely to burn Mr Dick's own fallen stock.

The farmer, speaking outside the council chamber, said: "They don't know what they are talking about. You don't need planning permission to burn your own stock. I will be looking at appealing against this."

The decision means the farm will not be able to operate partly as a pet crematorium although the building will remain.

A report to the planning and highways sub-committee said waste management developments should not go ahead in rural areas.

It said the incinerator would have limited use as it could only deal with sheep, calves or poultry, so cows and other larger animals would have to be taken elsewhere.

Mr Dick's venture aimed to allow bereaved animal-owners to travel to the farm, which is in idyllic countryside, and remain there while their animals were cremated.

Funerals, which he hoped would involve anything from lizards to ponies, could even be accompanied by music and the remains would be handed back in an urn.

Polegate Lib Dem councillor Roy Martin yesterday spoke in favour of the venture, saying to call it an incinerator was deceptive.

He said: "When you mention the word incinerator people wrongly picture a vast black chimney with smoke pouring out. When I visited it was purring away at a very low level.

"I don't think this lane will turn into Oxford Street on the day he opens for business. It isn't a high-traffic area and it's in the middle of nowhere.

"We should support this man and if we want our countryside to thrive then we need to support our farmers."

The scheme was initially turned down by councillors on December 10.

It was agreed another report would be prepared after it emerged information supporting the venture had not been heard.

Committee chairman Michael Tunwell said no fresh information had surfaced that would alter the original decision to reject the application.

Thursday January 15, 2004