A new independent report on the West Sussex glasshouse industry has identified significant potential for increased production under glass and is set to put pressure on local government in the region.
The report, commissioned by the West Sussex Growers' Association (WSGA), a special branch of the National Farmers’ Union, points to the industry’s dynamism, which has made it a significant part of the local economy with a production turnover of £120 million and employing more than 1,300 full-time staff, as well as thousands of part-time workers.
The report identifies a particular demand for large areas of new glasshouses of more than 10 hectares, as well as replacement or extension of existing glass for small and family businesses.
The document identifies a lack of available land and concerns about labour costs and availability, but says there is still a desire and demand for expansion within the area.
The West Sussex climate is ideally suited to the production of both food and ornamental crops and many local growers are world leaders.
Despite good support for agricultural projects in the region - around 90 per cent of development applications are currently approved - growers in the region have received less support for larger developments, which are becoming essential for the industry to remain competitive in an international market.
Dr Paul Sopp, chairman of the WSGA, told freshinfo: “We need local government to support agriculture in the future and tackle the various issues relating to the industry.
“If you look at what products we grow under glass, even in the summer we are importing the same products and we have great potential in the UK and particularly West Sussex with the climate, so we need to devise a plan for the next 10-20 years with the local authorities.
“With the increased interest in local sourcing and UK food security, there is significant potential for the West Sussex glasshouse industry to expand.
“The report has provided us with vital up-to-date statistics on the local importance of the industry, which we can use in meetings with local government and other agencies. And it is forming the basis of a strategy document which will give us an input into the local planning framework. We want to ensure the industry is allowed to develop to secure its future.”
The study says that despite the dependence on migrant workers, the industry remains a significant local employer and there are signs more local people have been employed during the recession.
It also highlights the potential for the industry to host highly efficient renewable energy and energy from waste schemes if these could be approved in the planning process.
Andrew Colquhoun, chairman of the SEEDA Horticulture Working Group, said: “The initiative taken by the WSGA could be a model for growers in other parts of the country if they are to win the planning permission they need to boost UK production of fruit and vegetables which is what DEFRA tells us that they want to see.”
The report, Viability of the horticultural glasshouse industry in West Sussex: prospects for the future and likely scale of development over the next 10 to 15 years was commissioned by the WSGA and written by Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd, Gerry Hayman Horticultural Consultancy and Hennock Industries Ltd.
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