The future of the UK soft-fruit industry looks more certain following the resolution of a long running planning application for the use of polytunnels at Tuesley Farm in Surrey.
Planning permission was granted yesterday at a meeting with Waverley Borough Council for the use of a maximum of 20 hectares of tunnels at the farm owned by Hall Hunter Partnership in a landmark case that sets a precedent for local planning authorities. The decision is also being seen as victory for local democracy as it came just hours after a rejection of an appeal by the Campaign to Protect Rural England to have the application called in by the Secretary of State and judged on a national rather than local level.
“This is very welcome news,” said Laurence Olins, chairman of British Summer Fruits. “The u-turn taken by Waverley Borough Council demonstrates the great value of establishing open dialogue between growers, councils and local communities. We are confident the decision marks a new way forward for all parties to work together in a truly democratic way.
“The clear direction given by the government has been instrumental in resolving a major threat to one of the UK’s most successful and self-sustaining agricultural sectors. The fact that the Secretary of State has very clearly stated that polytunnel planning laws must be determined on a local level will inject great confidence in an industry that has faced an uncertain future for over two years. This decision heralds a victory for common sense.”
Tuesley Farm, a 469-acre fruit farm near Godalming, was served with enforcement notices by local planning authority Waverley Borough Council in December 2005. The action required the removal of polytunnels and associated mobile homes on Tuesley Farm until the establishment of planning permission. The need for planning permission was confirmed at a public inquiry in 2005, a decision that was held up following review in the High Court in December 2006.
David Kay, general manager for Hall Hunter Partnership, which owns Tuesley Farm, said: “This marks the end of much discussion and debate between Waverley Planning Officers, local residents and ourselves relating to the definition of a sustainable solution for Tuesley Farm. The magnitude of the support by the councillors reflected the huge support that the farm has locally. Over 2000 people have either signed or written in support of the application - 90 per cent of those who expressed a view.
“I thank the planning officers and councillors for being brave in the face of the vitriolic onslaught from certain quarters and taking the right decision for the future of the farm. We must now all continue to work with each other and continue developing a farm that is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable”.
The Waverley decision comes less than a month after Hereford County Council immediately withdrew its policy requiring automatic planning permission for polytunnels both on existing and new sites after a judicial review initiated by grower Neil Cockburn. Hereford Council has confirmed its intention to develop a supplementary planning policy in relation to polytunnels and in full consultation with Herefordshire growers.
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