Mrs Salisbury's tea room vineyard plans approved by council

The vineyard will be developed on land next to Fieldway, on Station Road at Wickham Bishops.

Wines produced from the vineyard will be sold by Mrs Salisbury’s Tearooms in Maldon High Street, Promenade Park and Wickham Bishops.

The two-acre area of land will have an agricultural barn built on site to be used as a workshop and tractor and viticultural equipment store.

Proposed site: Station Road in Wickham Bishops (Image: Google)

The site could produce 5,000 bottles of wine a year, to be sold to Mrs Salisbury’s customers.

The business plans for the grapes to be transported to Purleigh Vineyards for processing.

They will be working in partnership to produce the wine.

Planting of the vines is set to begin in March 2024 and the first harvest should be in 2027.

Tea room: Mrs Salisbury's tea room in Maldon High Street (Image: Newsquest)

Wickham Bishops Parish Council recommended the plans for approval, despite concerns over the size and position of the proposed new building.

The plans for the building have been approved and no changes have been recommended by the district council.

The decision allows the site to be used for agricultural purposes and for no other purpose without further planning permission.

Mark Salisbury said: “It’s great news. Once the building of our house is finished we can get the foundations in next year.

Business owners: Andrea and Mark Salisbury (Image: Mrs Salisbury's)

“We are excited to start - it should be something good for Wickham Bishops.

“They do put a smile on your face driving past a little vineyard."

He added: “We are looking for other people in the area with acreage to plant some grapes.

“We will be growing Bacchus, a white grape which grows especially well in this region.

“People can do their own thing and if we can sell enough, we could expand our brand.

“We are expecting about 5,000 bottles per annum from our two-acre site alone.

“We’re aiming predominantly to sell to our customers in the tearoom.”

To express an interest in getting involved, email info@mrssalisburys.co.uk.