Farmer Lance Beale has been given permission to live in a mobile home on his land in Bromham for another 12 months, despite failing to produce a detailed business plan.

Councillors on Kennet District Council's regulatory committee went against their planning officers' recommendation to refuse Mr Beale permission to retain his home at Wyatts Lake Farm, Westbrook where he has lived since 1994.

Planning officer Mike Wilmott said planning permission should be refused because Mr Beale had not produced a business plan or accounts for the farm. Kennet will grant permission for agricultural buildings only if applicants can show that their business is viable.

Mr Wilmott told the regulatory committee on Thursday that in 1996 Mr Beale had been granted planning permission for three years after saying that he would produce mushrooms, strawberries and eggs. But in 1999 mushroom production had stopped, the strawberries had not been started and there were no hens on site.

Permission was later extended to 2002, despite no audited accounts being presented in 1996 or 1999 and no accounts at all in 2003.

Mr Beale's latest application was registered without an agricultural assessment taking place, which Mr Wilmott said, led to doubts about the viability of Mr Beale's business.

Mr Beale had given a letter outlining the operation of his farm to the councillors but not to the council officers.

The letter stated that he had chickens and pigs on the farm. His sheep had been put down during the foot and mouth outbreak.

Mr Wilmott was given a copy of the letter but said: "It's not adequate. This letter is nowhere near an agricultural appraisal and it contains nothing detailing the financial side of things."

The committee was split on whether to refuse permission. Coun Lionel Grundy said: "He (Mr Beale) is a businessman in a very small way... but I think he should be given a chance."

But Coun Sue Findlay said by refusing planning permission the council was not stopping him running a business.

Mr Beale was granted temporary planning permission by eight votes to six to retain the mobile home for 12 months.