A business that buys second hand clothes is appealing against the council’s decision to refuse it permission to park its portakabin.

Hertsmere Borough Council refused the ‘Cash for Clothes’ company planning permission to operate out of The Boulevard Shopping Centre in Borehamwood in November.

Planning officers explained their decision by saying the portakabin would lead to the loss of three car parking spaces at the busy shopping park.

The report also stated cars and pedestrians waiting outside the cabin blocked access routes to the shopping centre and hindered the safety of those using the retail park.

However Robert Pretorious, whose company Anglo-Recycling owns the ‘Cash for Clothes’ portakabin, said he did not know why permission had been refused.

In a report to the council he said he had received no complaints about the cabin’s position or the fact it was blocking traffic from shoppers or other retailers

He said he did the local community a service by enabling people to recycle their clothes in a “safe” area, as well as giving them money to spend in the shopping park.

The applicant said the car park was rarely full and the cabin occupied a few spaces its least busy part.

He added his company gave employment to people without experience or qualifications, including one man who had been out of work for 15 years. 

The result of the appeal is currently being determined.