British Summer Fruits (BSF) has linked up with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) in a bid to get some clarification on polytunnel policy, following an official ruling by Herefordshire Council that the temporary structures must be subject to planning permission applications.
BSF chairman Laurence Olins said the confusion surrounding the issue of polytunnels and planning permission is having a knock-on effect on the industry.
He told FPJ: “There is no clarity at the moment. The law gives guidelines that are then reinterpreted by local authorities, potentially in a different way each time.
“If decisions are continually made at a local level, there will never be any clarity. We are going to have the lowest common denominator - a council planning officer - making a decision at a local level.
“Growers will be fearful of investing in production - it would take a very brave grower to invest in something that he may have to tear down.”
BSF and the NFU are working together to urge the ministry of communities and local government, headed up by Ruth Kelly, to take action to unravel the problem.
Defra secretary David Miliand has openly supported the use of polytunnels as an integral part of UK soft-fruit production, but the department is not able to legislate on the issue, Olins said.
“We are caught between two ministries,” he added. “The ministry of communities and local government is washing its hands of the issue and leaving it to the courts, but we want it to stop sitting on the fence. We need guidelines from government to local authority.”
A planning officer, who declined to be named, told FPJ: “Personally, I think polytunnels are great. However, when I put my planning cap on, and think about approving one, it’s a different story.
“There is no policy to support or advise planners and, without it, we can’t judge or back up what we have said.”
BSF is encouraging the industry to sign a pro polytunnel petition that has been posted on the 10 Downing Street website.
