Over 50 people attended a Public Open Meeting called by Walford Parish Council on June 11th, at Bishopswood Village Hall, to discuss three current planning applications for developments at Coleraine Farm, Walford.

The applicant, Mr. John Chinn, outlined his plans for a permanent site at Coleraine Farm, alongside Castle Brook, for 170 static caravans, with 3 others close by. The seasonal workers are needed to grow asparagus. Mr Chinn farms 3,000 acres, of which 700 acres are asparagus. The site has operated without planning permission since 2005 and, at present, there are 125 caravans on site.

A similar application was refused in January 2009 but Mr. Chinn promises to landscape the site where the caravans could remain, less conspicuously than at present, and to plant trees and establish a 'wild-life' corridor.

Questions came fast and furious: a recent 'slick' on the River Wye had been observed but it was argued that this was not to be attributed to the caravans. Waste water would be directed into the established Biodigester, pumped up to holding lagoons to the north-west of the site (near footpath WA19/RR11) and then stored in a reservoir for irrigation purposes.

Many queries were directed about the unsuitability of the narrow C class road which accesses Cobrey and Coleraine Farms..."two sizeable vehicles cannot pass each other"... but Mr Chinn argued that the traffic to the farm should not be related to that to the caravans. The numerous minibus trips were mentioned; during 45 minutes, on a Tuesday evening, a member of the audience had noted 7 minivans collecting and delivering seasonal workers at Morrisons in Ross. The Council had carried out a traffic census but outside the season and walking traffic had much increased. The workers were encouraged to walk to Ross via Footpath WA19 but this had given rise to litter dropped along the route, to the concern of the local Ramblers' Association which organises walks for groups of up to 40 visitors who stay in local hotels. The potential damage to tourism was stressed by other speakers... "Ross is dying...we are losing beautiful countryside".

Criticisms were directed at the appearance of the site with settees outside the caravans; light pollution affects properties on high ground overlooking the site. Despite the plans to mitigate the site it would always be overlooked from the surrounding high ground, and has an adverse visual effect on the nearby Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a planning consideration.

A near neighbour supported the enterprise.

One of the related activities, the intensive growing of blueberries, could result in acidification of the soil; this was countered by the applicant as constant monitoring of the run-off from the growing pots would operate; an associated planning application is for polytunnels to propagate the blueberries.

If the site was to be made permanent Caravan Site regulations and procedures as regards safety and amenity would have to be met.

The number of seasonal workers was queried; were taxes received to counter the impact on hospitals and local services? Mr Chinn said as they were all EU citizens, the workers paid National Insurance, as he did as the employer, and that Cobrey Farms paid for the refuse collection and the rates on the caravans.

The Chairman closed questions and the Parish Councillors then discussed and made their decision, out of earshot of the remaining members of the public.

It was announced that Walford Parish Council approved the caravan application up to the end of 2010, with the proviso that all the planning and landscaping conditions were met in full.