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A ROW has erupted over Doctor Who’s plans to materialise on Llandaff’s historic Cathedral Green.

BBC bosses wrote to businesses in Llandaff telling them of plans to take over the green for a week next month, transforming it into a location for the award-winning sci-fi series.

But while aliens on distant planets may be willing to welcome the Doctor with open arms, at least one trader in the Cardiff village is not so keen on the idea of having the Time Lord at hand.

Pete Hall, who runs Halls bookshop on High Street, is concerned that the plans to block off roads surrounding the green will add to an “already congested” traffic system.

He accused BBC chiefs of a lack of consideration for the plight of independent businesses struggling to attract customers.

Mr Hall, 47, said: “We received a letter from the location manager late last week informing us that they are setting up and filming on the village green for an entire week and will be restricting parking between 8am and 7pm at night.

“When I read it my heart sank.

“As a small shop fighting for our very existence due to the difficult economic climate, the thought of all those outdoor vehicles blocking our already choked traffic system and frightening our customers away is too much to bear.

“Traders here do their very best to create a friendly and comfortable atmosphere to entice the public to brave the traffic problems in the area and visit us, so this feels like the last straw.”

Mr Hall’s mother set up the business in 1979 and it is today one of only two independent bookshops outside the city centre.

He said trading was difficult enough in the face of competition from supermarkets and internet retailers, without the disruption of a large scale drama production effectively closing High Street for business.

“It is our 30th anniversary in the book trade soon but sadly I cannot see us celebrating 31 years next year.

“I suggest that the next time the BBC makes a decision to produce a drama in a busy city area like this, they should spare a thought for self-employed and stressed shopkeepers who are working hard to serve our customers and stay in business.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “We regularly film on location around Wales and take great care to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

“We realise that filming sometimes causes inconvenience for people locally and we very much appreciate the support we get when we are on location.”