A FRUIT fam, based in Ross-on-Wye, is now seeking planning permission to build a new store for its produce at Burghill, northwest of Hereford.

EC Drummond is one of the UK’s largest fruit growers and plans to invest a million pounds at Tillington fruit farm rather than using third-party storage as at present.

The company acquired the fruit farm when the Co-op sold off its farms estate a decade ago. It has already invested £1.5 million in new apple orchards and infrastructure.

The proposed new building would be clad in dark matt greenish-grey profiled sheeting, measuring 70 by 26 metres, giving an area of over seven tennis courts.

Modern refrigeration and atmospheric control can keep apples fresh through to the following summer, ensuring a year-round supply of British-grown fruit in shops.

Also featuring roof-mounted solar panels and two rainwater harvesting tanks, the new store’s ten chambers “will keep the fruit in the best condition and reduce our carbon footprint”, the firm’s chairman Eric Drummond said.

“Bringing storage on-site will also save on costs and on traffic through the village at harvest,” he added, but admitted that the fruit will still have to be taken elsewhere for sorting and packing.

“The investment will secure employment and continue the production of dessert apples in Herefordshire which has been diminishing recently, and should be ready to store the 2026 harvest,” he said.

Since EC Drummond acquired the site, it has rejuvenated the orchard with modern varieties like Jazz, Pink Lady and Gala.

The proposal includes 640 metres of new native hedgerows around the boundaries, new trees and a wildflower area.

Mr Drummond concluded: The recent prolonged spell of sunny weather has been absolutely marvellous from a growing point of view, and fruit is now setting, though we would like some rain too.”

Comments on the planning application 250951can be made until May 30.