Polytunnels for soft fruit production granted retrospective permission to stay
Polytunnels are set to stay on farmland near Stafford after retrospective approval was granted by councillors.
The polytunnels are used for growing soft fruit on land between Woollaston Lane and Church Eaton Brook at Church Eaton.
The 10.435 hectare site covers part of Stafford Borough and part of South Staffordshire District, meaning planning applications are due to be considered by two planning authorities.
On Tuesday Stafford Borough Council’s planning authority gave permission for the retention of polytunnels on the site area it covers.
A report to the committee said: “The type of polytunnel under consideration are lower height standard ‘Spanish tunnels’. Each polytunnel is 8m in width and 40m in height at the highest point.
“The polytunnels are used for the production of soft fruit and serve three primary purposes: to provide protection of the agricultural produce from rain damage; allow the fruit to be picked during times of inclement weather and they allow the growing season to be extended.
“The application submission states that the proposal is for temporary basis only. The application proposes for occupation of the land envisaged over a three to four year period.
“The proposal comprises permanent metal structures with seasonal sheeting being placed over elevated stand ‘table tops’ with the strawberries being grown in ridge and furrow on the ground. The areas of land would then be cleared and will be cultivated and laid to grass.
“The metal frames would be covered between March and October each year whilst in use for soft fruit production.
“Picked fruit is transported via county roads to the packhouse situated at Littywood Farm. Access to the site falls with the boundary of South Staffordshire Council.”
But committee members raised concerns about the application being a retrospective one.
Councillor Bryan Cross said: “It is a shame that again this is a retrospective application. It seems this particular applicant does this quite regularly.
“However, it is a way of life these days – people want diversity in farming, using these types of polytunnels.”
Councillor Jack Kemp called for wheel washing facilities to be put in place by January 1 after seeing muddy conditions during a site visit before the meeting.
And Councillor Tony Pearce asked for the use of agrichemicals to be monitored.
But Councillor Jill Hood, who welcomed the sale of Staffordshire strawberries, said: “I can’t imagine a chain as large as this is not being monitored.”
Councillor Marnie Phillips said: “The Food Standards Agency would monitor how food is produced when it comes to chemicals and pesticides. They are going to have to comply with rules and regulations in how food is being grown.”
