Static caravan bid for seasonal fruit-pickers

The firm's application includes sewage treatment works and other facilities on the farm near Huntington

One of Britain's largest fruit farmers has renewed attempts to place static caravans for seasonal workers on its Herefordshire site.

Last October, Haygrove of Ledbury had a planning application rejected to expand polytunnel production and put 18 worker caravans at its Mahollam Road premises, near Huntington, outside Hereford.

Its new proposal features the same number of caravans as well as a facilities trailer with picnic tables outside, sewage treatment plant, new internal access track and landscaping measures.

The application is described as "part-retrospective".

The caravans would typically house up to six workers each, giving a maximum onsite seasonal population of 108.

In its application, the firm said the set-up was “essential for seasonal fruit pickers that are necessary to pick the fruit crop during the busier summer and autumn period”.

However, it said the caravans would not be occupied the rest of the year.

It added that currently, pickers must be brought by bus from Ledbury each day, which was “hard on the workers”, adding an hour and a half to their working day.

Members of the public can comment on the plans until 28 March.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.