Battle lines are being drawn once again on Bakery Lane as a Petersfield florist and restauranteur are facing the “final roll of the dice” in a bid to save their businesses.

Plans to demolish the single-storey buildings housing the Blacksmith’s Daughter and the Fez Bazaar café have gone to appeal having been rejected in February.

There was a huge show of support for owners Kristina Cousen and Bilsen Gonul when an application by Heinz Naef to replace the “shacks” with a single-storey retail unit came before a planning committee, but the pair always suspected he would appeal.

Kristina says her ‘Love Shack’ of a home is part of the town’s heritage and its appearance is one of the reasons it’s such a beloved walkway.

Bilsen fears redevelopment will destroy two of the most successful businesses in town, with the pair ever thankful for the support they’ve received.

She said: “The people in Petersfield and the support they’ve given, it’s given us the drive to keep going.”

A planning inspector based in Bristol will have the final say with residents having until June 12 to comment. To make a written representation type 3364652 after following the link at https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk