A farmer spent £50,000 creating a pet crematorium on his land only for the development to be refused planning permission.

Robbie Dick, who took the advice of Government leaders to diversify as the farming industry struggles through hard times, has vowed to save his funeral centre, even though he may have to knock it down.

He and his business partner, Tracey Stewart, had planned to open the venture at Ayrshire Farm in Ripe, near Lewes, in May.

Bereaved animal owners could have taken their dead pets to the farm in the beautiful Sussex countryside and remain on site while their pets were cremated.

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

Mr Dick, 41, received licences from the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency but East Sussex County Council has now stepped in and put a stop to the plans.

Planning officers said Mr Dick needed retrospective planning permission for the buildings and the incinerator before he could go into business dealing with "waste".

Mr Dick, who mainly farmed beef and sheep farming before he diversified into ostrich and alpaca and pet funeral services, was at East Sussex County Council's planning and highways meeting where councillors refused to grant planning permission.

The council said the proposal was against the planning regulations as it was a waste management operation in open countryside for which no justification had been provided.

But Mr Dick said his farm was an ideal location for the disposal of animals.

He has sent a letter of complaint to the council saying he had up-to-date information which may have made an impact on the decision.

He is waiting for a response and if it fails, he plans to appeal against the decision.

Mr Dick said: "Farmers have been encouraged to diversify, which I have done. This is exactly the sort of place for dead animals, not some industrial estate.

"The decision is ludicrous and unbelievable. My immediate neighbours are all for it and there is a need for pet cremations.."

A council spokeswoman said a decision on the future of the crematorium would be made in the new year.

Monday December 15, 2003