Polytunnel decision is a landmark one

11:16am Thursday 14th February 2008

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IN what is being hailed as a landmark decision for the soft fruit industry in Herefordshire, grower farmer George Leeds of Wellington Heath has gained planning permission for polytunnels on one third of his land.

The other two thirds must remain free of polytunnels.

Mr Leeds, of Withers Fruit Farm, Burtons Lane, chose to seek planning permission for his polytunnels, even though other fruit farmers have been awaiting the publication of supplementary planning guidance by the authority, due out in April.

Planning officer, Roland Close, said: "George Leeds has led the way, and this decision demonstrates that we can work with farmers to find solutions.

"We will now encourage all of the growers to submit planning applications."

Mr Leeds has permission to erect polytunnels on three agreed zones, which amount to just over 50 of his 152 hectare site.

Approval, granted by the council's northern area planning sub-committee on Wednesday, comes with a number of conditions.

None of Mr Leeds' polytunnels can come within two metres of a public right of way and none can be placed on the safeguarded route of the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal, which crosses Mr Leeds' land.

A number of identified areas at Withers Farm must be left free of polytunnels, to limit the impact on a rural landscape and no polytunnel can rise more than 4.25 metres above ground level.

Mr Leeds said he was delighted by the planning decision and he added: "It comes after 18 months of hard work, negotiations and great expense."

He added that he hoped the decision would help meet the needs of the environment and the concerns of neighbours.

Four local householders expressed concerns over the visual and ecological impact of polytunnels.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England expressed similar concerns.