AN appeal has been lodged against a council’s decision to refuse an application on a former mushroom farm in Mayland.

The Powl brothers, Andrew and Alen, had applied for a certificate of lawful use and development for Whitecap Mushroom Farm, in Mill Road.

They wanted the land use changed to a Sui Generis use, of storage and industrial use.

Sui Generis is a term given to a change of use of land that may not need planning permission.

Examples include laundrettes, taxi or vehicle hire businesses, scrapyards and motor car showrooms.

The Powls stated that the mushroom farm had ceased trading in 1991, and since then the site had been used to store third party items such as classic cars for a rent, for the repair of washing machines and classic cars, and a taxi hire company.

Maldon District Council refused the original application, saying: “The evidence submitted is insufficient to demonstrate, on the balance of probabilities, that the land and buildings have been used as a Sui Generis use. Therefore, the use as land and buildings is not considered lawful.”

The appeal will be heard at a hearing and a planning inspector will decide the outcome.