A NEW visitor cider for cider lovers could be coming to Herefordshire, if planning permission is granted by the council.

Newton Farm, near Leominster, wants to open up its production process to the wider public after first making cider in 2000.

The applicant wants to erect a new steel-framed building to provide a visitor experience centre, as well as vehicle access and car parking at the farm near Hope-under-Dinmore.

The design and access statement said: "The visitor experience centre will demonstrate the entire cider making process from tree to bottle through guided tours of the farm and its cider production facility, including interactive guided tasting of each of the products to highlight the defining unique characteristics of each of the different ciders produced within the farm.

"The existing retail shop currently sited within a farm building adjacent the farmhouse on the opposite side of Newton Lane will be relocated within the visitor experience centre. In addition to selling Newton Farm Cider products, the relocated farm shop will also stock associated branded apparel and souvenirs, together with River Cottage branded products.

"The visitor experience centre will incorporate a café/restaurant, including an external eating and drinking area, together with its associated catering kitchen, stores, wash up area and customer wc’s. An administration office and the cider mill/press make up the remainder of the ground floor accommodation, with product storage within a basement cellar."

If approved, it's said the new visitor centre would help the growth and expansion of a long established family farming business and will "promote high quality leisure visits and small scale sustainable tourism within the county".

Comments on application 201415 can be made to Herefordshire Council until June 15, and a decision is expected on August 18.