AN inquiry into whether a controversial animal research laboratory can move to a Hampshire village concluded yesterday.

Wickham Laboratories is appealing against Winchester City Council’s refusal of its plans to move to Lower Upham. Planner said the company’s proposals were too big for a rural setting.

Following two days of evidence the appeal left Winchester Guildhall to enable planning inspector Jonathan King to visit the firm’s application site at Torbay Farm.

Dave Dimon, a city council planner, said: “In most cases the inspector will get his or her decisions out between a month and six weeks after the inquiry.”