Firm accuses 'bureaucratic' WDA

Ms Ernest and Roger Fuller run a mail order book firm

A businesswoman has complained of frustration with the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) over plans to expand her company to a warehouse in Powys.

Polly Ernest, 41, who runs a mail order book firm, wanted to create six full time and 15 part time jobs in Knighton.

But she said after weeks of "red tape" she has been offered a factory unit in her home town of Ludlow in Shropshire.

The WDA said her comments were "grossly unfair" and it had attempted to fulfill her ambitions "at all times".

Ms Ernest and her husband Roger Fuller, run their business from Ludlow but were looking to expand in Knighton, a 20-minute drive away.

She applied to lease a warehouse on Knighton Enterprise Park from the WDA in September.

It is grossly unfair to say we have 'actively blocked' her WDA spokesman

She added that she had even offered to pay a year's rent in advance worth some £13,500.

But Ms Ernest said she was frustrated with weeks of talks about the unit's criteria, which dictated what type of business could move in.

The WDA denied it had blocked her plans.

Of the agency, she said: "The nature of the organisation doesn't allow it the flexibility required to work with the type of entrepreneurial businesses it is set up to attract.

"I asked the WDA three times for the building.

"My frustration is not with the individuals, who have been courteous and helpful, but it is with the policy and red tape."

Ms Ernest said she was offered a similar unit in Ludlow "within days of approaching my South Shropshire district councillor and the town's mayor".

Describing the WDA as a "bureaucratic nightmare", she claimed: "The WDA has been actively blocking my business expansion plans in Knighton and I don't know why.

"We're not a fly-by-night firm, we have a turnover of £1m. We wanted to create six full-time and 15 part-time jobs in the town too."

Endeavoured

A WDA spokesman disagreed with Mrs Ernest's comments.

"The agency has attempted to fulfil Ms Ernest's ambitions at all times and it is grossly unfair to say we have 'actively blocked' her," he said.

"Indeed, following discussions with Knighton Town Council we have instigated a change of use for the business unit and reduced the deadline for applications from interested parties.

"It is a shame that just days from that decision being made she has decided to maintain this element of her business in Ludlow."

He added: "To be completely clear on this issue, we have endeavoured in our best efforts to accommodate all the various expressions of interest and we deem this to be the fairest means of moving forward."